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Heart-warming footage shows the moment a senior NHS nurse left intensive care after a fortnight spent in a coma battling Covid-19.
Pat Johnson, 57, was clapped by colleagues as she left the ITU at Margate's QEQM hospital - where she works as manager of Bishopstone Ward.
Pat is clapped by colleagues as she leaves the ITU
The grandmother-of-three first fell ill in March. Despite a negative result from a Covid-19 test, her condition worsened during self-isolation at home and, after contacting her GP, paramedics rushed her straight to hospital.
Her worried family were forced to wait at home for news.
But medics soon decided to place her in an induced coma. Pat, from Deal, sent a message to her family through WhatsApp, telling them how much she loved them.
“I think as a healthcare professional I knew immediately how serious it was," she said. "Particularly when they had to intubate me and put me on a ventilator.
“I knew I was sick, but to hear I was so sick I needed a ventilator made me realise I might not make it.
"There was definitely a realisation I could die, and that was very scary.”
Pat’s husband Max was kept informed by staff throughout her time in intensive care and once she was taken off the ventilator she was able to video-call him.
“It was definitely hardest for my family," said Pat. "They had a call to say I was being intubated and then they couldn’t see me until I came home.
“But the care and compassion the ITU staff showed them was incredible and really helped.”
When she was finally able to leave intensive care, Pat's colleagues from across the hospital lined the corridors to applaud her, a moment she describes as "overwhelming".
“I still can’t watch the video, it is too emotional," she said. "I am so lucky to work with such lovely and caring people. I consider myself blessed.
“The support has continued since I have been home, with so many flowers, cards, and presents. It has really helped me feel positive.
“I still tire very quickly but I am getting stronger each day. When they said it would take a long time to recover, I thought I would be different but I am learning to be patient.
“I know the teams are working so hard and so well together to help each other out and get through it. I miss them and I will definitely be back as soon as I am well enough.”
Pat says the love and support she had from family, friends and colleagues gave her strength to fight the virus.
“There are not enough words to describe how kind people have been," she said. "Even on the day they needed to intubate me, when I thought I might not make it, I still felt safe and cared for.
“I don’t think I would have made it without the support I have received."
