When Warren Ainsworth was ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lismore Base Hospital with COVID-19, his chance of surviving was less than 50 per cent.
His wife, Julie, could only watch on from behind glass, wondering if he would live to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in October.
But the 74-year-old resident from Casino on the New South Wales North Coast battled the odds and was discharged.
He returned to the ICU this week to deliver an emotional thank you to the medical staff who saved his life from the deadly virus that has infected more than 8 million people and claimed more than 440,000 lives worldwide.
"Coming in here last time I was on a stretcher," Mr Ainsworth said.
"Coming back in and looking around the room; thank heavens they're here."
The Ainsworths had been in England visiting their new grandson when international airports and borders began to close and they had to make a quick return home.
A few days after arriving back home Mr Ainsworth developed a "tickle" in his throat and went to a local fever clinic for testing.
On March 30, he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Over the following weeks he spent 16 days in ICU and three weeks in a hospital ward before being discharged into hospital care at home.
Intensive care specialist, Rachel Heap, said hospital staff were extremely worried about Mr Ainsworth's health.
"Mr Ainsworth was critically unwell," she said.
"He needed to be on a ventilator for almost two weeks, he had issues with very high temperature, he had a myriad of problems that we know are associated with COVID."
Dr Heap said because of his age, Mr Ainsworth was in a high-risk category.
"That meant that there was a significant chance of him losing his life through this virus," she said.
'You need to say your goodbyes'
Dr Heap said Mr Ainsworth's chance of survival, if ventilated, was less than 50 per cent, based on data from overseas.
"We knew from outcomes from overseas that he had a very significant chance of not surviving this illness," she said.
Before he was put under anaesthetic, Dr Heap said staff gave the Mr and Mrs Ainsworth the opportunity to say their goodbyes, in the case that the worst happened.
"We realised that he was deteriorating," Dr Heap said.
"We had a very narrow window of opportunity whilst he was still conscious and able to talk and there was every chance that that may have been the last time."
Mrs Ainsworth, who repeatedly tested negative for the virus, said not being allowed to be by her husband's side was extremely difficult.
"When he did go downhill, that was very daunting," she said.
"We just prayed every day.
"He's then slowly come back to us, so it was unbelievable."
Surviving to celebrate
Intensive care nurse, Isabel Rendo, said it was both remarkable and emotional to have Mr Ainsworth return to the ICU to thank staff.
"His family have him back," she said.
"We can't always do that in ICU, we can't always give people back to their family, and we did that, so it's a good day."
Dr Heap said it was a "gift" to know that the Ainsworths would be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary because it "makes what we do worth it".
"People have talked about us being the frontline in this battle against COVID; well, I would respectfully disagree with that," she said.
"I would say that the community, they're the frontline.
"And the fact that in Australia, we maintained our social distancing, people stayed home when they were asked to, that meant that us as the rear guard, we haven't, so far, had to look after too many patients with COVID."
Mrs Ainsworth said there were no words to describe the gratitude she felt for the hospital and staff.
"I just cannot speak so highly of the hospital and the staff and everyone involved, it was just amazing," she said.
"There's no words … 'thank you' is just not enough."
