So, my mum has now been in hospital for over five weeks. She is now in the cardiothorastic ICU at Milpark. Yesterday our hearts filled with some relief as she was taken off the Ecmo machine and is now breathing independently. Alhamdulillah
Having a loved one in hospital with Covid is a terrible experience for all involved. At times we had gone days without updates from doctors, and depended on the whim of the nurses to tell us how mum was doing.
And we empathise with the nurses especially at this time who must navigate their own safety while caring for people who are gravely ill and infectious.
In recent days we have been able to speak to mum. She is especially weak and still struggling to breathe. But every little thing she says has us marveling, smiling, encouraging her to keep fighting. We remind her that she is strong and she is loved.
Today is especially difficult. My mother is sobbing. She can’t reach for water. The nurses say they are understaffed and can’t help her.
The doctors have asked us to drop off home cooked meals for her. We’ve dropped it off. The nurses say the little time they have is better used caring for mum than fetching her food.
And remember we can’t see her, can’t visit ourselves so that we can help. So if there’s anyone here who is connected to Milpark or Netcare, please, please, I implore you to find ways for this to be better- for my mum, but also for the others going through the same.
