A dad-of-two who thought he would never see his loved ones again after being critically ill in intensive care with Covid-19 has now been reunited with his family.
Patient Christopher Williams, 54, had been feeling ill with the effects of the coronavirus for two weeks when things took a turn for the worse and he was rushed in to the Emergency Department at Whiston Hospital on April 29.
After developing pneumonia, Christopher, from Warrington, was ventilated to help him breathe and put into an induced coma to help his body fight the virus.
He spent a total of six weeks in Whiston Hospital, being brought out of the coma two weeks later and staying on the unit to recover for four weeks, before being reunited with his family yesterday.
Karen, Christopher's wife, told the ECHO: "He'd been in work before he became really ill and thought he was a bit run down."
She added: "He's never ill or off work ill so it was a shock to the system that he was as ill as he was. It just seemed to be getting worse and worse."
At the time Christopher, who works as an undertaker, said he didn't realise how serious it was and that he thought it was just a common cough and cold.
He said: "I came to the hospital as a gasping wreck, I was terrified.
"But the staff immediately took charge. The next thing I knew I was waking up in the Intensive Care Unit two weeks later.
"I couldn’t understand where I was, but the constant reassurance of the wonderful staff and the thoughts of my wife and family have got me through.
"It's quite ironic that I'm an undertaker. You'd think I'd be immune to everything."
Christopher said it was difficult not seeing his family and that although he was surrounded by staff, it was strange at first only seeing their eyes through all their PPE.
"My overriding memory will be their eyes, they all had beautiful eyes.
"I might not have been able to see their smiles underneath the masks, but their eyes showed me that they are all wonderful people."
Christopher was later transferred to Covid Ward 2B to continue this recuperation.
Last weekend, he said he was still being fed through a tube, but soon saw progress and was thrilled to hear he was well enough to return home.
Christopher said: "‘I was absolutely delighted because it all happened quite quickly.
"I’ve never had a day’s sick in my life, never been in hospital, so for this to happen to me is just mind-blowing.
"There's still people suffering and that's what people are forgetting. There are people still going through it.
"If I was going to ever go back, Whiston Hospital would be the place."
Now, with no permanent lasting damage from the virus, Christopher was reunited with his family for the first time and returned home to his wife Karen, son Joseph and daughter Rachel.
The emotional reunion was captured in a heartfelt video of Christopher, Karen and Rachel filled with tears and relief that they were back together and praising staff at Whiston Hospital.
Karen said: "We’ve not been able to see him for six weeks due to the visiting restrictions to protect everyone, but to see him now and to see the staff who have cared for him so well is just overwhelming.
"I can’t thank everyone at the hospital enough. They have kept us informed every step of the way and although you dread the phone ringing in case the worst has happened, thankfully for us they were able to give us positive news."
Christopher said: "The care I have received has been fantastic, I can’t praise them enough. I wouldn’t have survived this without all of the hardworking staff, from the consultants to the cleaners I can’t fault them.
"I can now go on to enjoy the rest of my life and that is all down to the people here.
"I didn’t think I would see this day."
