NHS worker survives two comas, stroke and sepsis during Covid-19 battle but devastated as dad dies
AN NHS cleaner survived two comas, a double stroke, sepsis and pneumonia during a horror seven-week battle against coronavirus.
Teresa Gray, 50, also came off a ventilator to the heartbreaking news that beloved dad Ivor Thomas had died after catching Covid-19.
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The mum of three, of Edinburgh, was left to watch a recording of the 68-year-old’s funeral from her hospital bed as she fought for life.
Her sister Tanya Thomas said after Teresa finally left intensive care: “She is a miracle.”
And the husband of coronavirus-stricken Teresa revealed he can’t wait to take her home — as nurses applauded her discharge from intensive care.
The mum, whose dad died of the bug while she fought back from a coma — still needs hospital treatment after also suffering a double stroke, pneumonia and sepsis.
As she continued her remarkable recovery at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Teresa’s hubby James, 47, described his torment as he watched her battle the debilitating illnesses.
And he revealed that, when she finally regained consciousness, he had to break the news her father Ivor had passed away after he also contracted Covid-19.
Now James is hoping his wife will be released from hospital on Wednesday after an agonising, seven-week fight for life.
He said: “I was worried about her going into hospital because once in, I knew we couldn’t see her.
“We thought she was going to be in a coma for five days. It was a really difficult time.
“She has fought this all the way, and anybody going through what she has been through, viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, sepsis and two strokes, would have suffered.
“I just want her back home now so she can recover.”
Teresa — hailed a “walking miracle” by her sister Tanya Thomas — fell ill with shortness of breath on March 20, just a week after celebrating her 50th birthday.
She was rushed to hospital on March 23 — the day lockdown was announced — when her condition deteriorated. Medics were so concerned, they placed her in a coma days later.
As Teresa fought the bug, she needed a ventilator to help her breathe.
But her body was so weary, she contracted pneumonia and sepsis while unconscious.
In a heartbreaking twist, Ivor then died suddenly after catching coronavirus and suffering kidney failure before his daughter came round.
When Teresa did finally wake after three weeks, her husband faced the harrowing ordeal of telling her during an hour-long visit that her father was gone.
James, who had to cover up with PPE to see his wife for the first time in a month, said: “It was a devastating turn of events.
“We were trying to take her phone out of her room so she wouldn’t find out by accident. It was incredibly difficult, but apart from being really happy to see me, it was hard to sit with her and tell her that her dad passed away.
“She was absolutely devastated.”
Soon after hearing of her father’s death, Teresa suffered a double stroke and two seizures, forcing doctors to put her back in a coma.
A week later, when she woke for a second time, she watched the recording of Ivor’s funeral from her hospital bed.
Despite her nightmare, Teresa — who works at Liberton Hospital in Edinburgh — gave medics who saved her life a thumbs-up as she was taken out of ICU in a wheelchair. But her close friend Sam Fielding revealed loved ones had feared she wouldn’t pull through as she was hammered by one deadly condition after another. He said: “The coma was the hardest part for any of us.
“We definitely feared the worst.
“It’s horrible, fearing that you won’t see someone again. It’s astonishing what she’s been through.
“She’s been in hospital alone for almost two months, struggling every step of the way to keep going.”
Gutsy Teresa has now been given the all-clear from coronavirus and transferred to the ERI’s stroke wing. The strokes have impaired her speech and she has an arm infection and blood clot on her neck.
But experts remain hopeful she’ll make a full recovery.
It comes as at least a dozen NHS staff, including paramedics, carers and nurses, have died of Covid-19.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said not all who lost their lives will have contracted it at work.
Teresa’s loved ones now hope to raise £10,000 to create a relaxation and recovery area in the garden at her home in the capital’s Portobello.
Sam, who has started a GoFundMe page, said he wants a spot where his pal can get better in peace. He added: “I wanted to give Teresa something back. I wanted to give her something real where she can sit, relax and recover.”
The family would like to raise enough to build a decking area with a small sunhouse and a spa to get her fit to return to her cleaning job.
Sharing the appeal on Facebook, Teresa’s daughter Becky Bain said: “Mum would do anything for anyone and has done for many years. Now’s your chance to help her.”
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When the pandemic ends, Teresa and her family plan to scatter Ivor’s ashes at Portobello beach. The Scottish Government said that 36 more people have died from coronavirus since Friday.
A total of 13,305 people have now tested positive, up 156 from the day before. The bug has killed 1,847.
Across the UK a further 346 died, bringing the total to 31,587.
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