A dad-of-seven has described how coronavirus made him feel like he was going down a dark tunnel surrounded by the smell of death as he fought for his life.
Hospital security guard Jaweed Ahmed, 55, was delirious as he lay in hospital, and said he didn't think he was going to survive the ordeal.
He believes he contracted Covid-19 working at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary - where he ended up on a critical ward.
Jaweed told Yorkshire Live: "I smelt a horrible smell, like death, and I felt like I was going down a dark tunnel.
"I shouted Jesus to come to rescue me.
"Someone grabbed hold of me round the waist and lifted me up, away from the dark and into the light."
He said: "I remember my wife Heather dropping me off on the Friday teatime. She wasn't allowed in.
"We have been together for 20 years and we've had ups and downs but we have never had an experience like that, with her leaving me at the hospital door.
"But I understood it was like that for public safety.
"I don't know how I did it, but I held her hand and said, 'don't worry, I will be back'."
Once in the hospital, Jaweed had a chest X-ray, a coronavirus test and was hooked up to breathing machines.
But his condition deteriorated and he was placed on forced oxygen.
He said: "I knew this was the only way I was going to survive."
Jaweed has little memory of the first two days of his hospital stay, other than frightening dreams and fears of death.
He said: "Every day when my body wasn't coping I thought, 'I'm not going to make it'.
"But I am a Christian. Because of my faith I thought, 'I need to pull out of this'. It was like fighting a giant.
"My beliefs got me through, as well as my wife - she was going through hell, she had even rung the doctor saying she would volunteer at the hospital just to be near me.
"The doctors and nurses were brilliant - they saved my life. I want to thank the NHS from the bottom of my heart. They are doing an amazing job."
After two days, Jaweed started craving Pepsi Max and fruit yoghurts - and after several days even managed to get up for a shave.
He said: "That's when I knew I was getting better."
He was transferred to Calderdale Royal Hospital and admitted to a coronavirus ward.
He said: "It's very strict on the coronavirus ward and people are not allowed to come in and out.
"There were four of us there, and we eventually were all discharged.
"When you are discharged the staff all stand in a line and clap. I felt really blessed but more than anything else I felt for them.
"I have so much respect for them. I saluted them when I went past."
After two weeks at home he says he is taking it easy.
He said: "When I came home I was weak but I was so glad to be back with my family."
The keen motorcyclist said: "The second I got home I went into the garage to see my bike. Sitting on it felt like coming back home.
"If you're a biker you can only have that feeling when you sit on your bike.
"I haven't been out on it yet as I need to wait until I'm recovered, and we all need to sacrifice our hobbies for a few months.
"It's hard but we all have to stick together and get rid of this virus.
"I am feeling quite good now, just taking it day by day. I walked up to the hospital yesterday to drop a card and some sweets off.
"At first they didn't recognise me because I was wearing a mask. I told them they had done a brilliant job.
"I feel I defeated it, but nobody knows if you can catch it again so I'm trying to keep myself safe - I'm making sure I have a mask on and keeping social distance.
"I've been given another chance - another life - so I need to make the most of it."
