A dad-of-four who spent almost three months in intensive care fighting coronavirus, sepsis and organ failure has finally returned home.
Steve Bell, who contracted Covid-19 in March, was discharged from hospital to rapturous applause from NHS Wales staff on Thursday, July 30.
The Welsh Ambulance Service employee spent 92 days in Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, 78 of which were in intensive care where he was given lifesaving treatment.
"I was cycling 13 miles a day before I got ill. I'm still coming to terms with what happened, and I've got a long way to go," said Steve, 59, from Ebbw Vale.
"The staff in ITU in particular were brilliant and really looked after me, listened to me and showed compassion. I couldn't have asked for better care. They saved my life.
"The support I've had from my colleagues in the ambulance service has also been brilliant."
Steve's wife Ann said her husband started feeling unwell around a month after they returned from a holiday in February.
"After 12 days or so at home, he started to deteriorate and had to go into hospital. Before long, he was in intensive care," recalled Ann, who has been married to Steve for 24 years.
"I wasn't able to visit Steve, but the nurses would allow me to video call so that I could see him, even though he was sedated."
Ann said Steve's condition took a turn for the worse while in hospital - and she feared she may never see him alive again.
"He contracted sepsis and his organs began to shut down. He also had a problem with his heart briefly, but that was overcome," she said.
"The doctors prepared me for the worst, but slowly, they began to wean him off the ventilator."
When his condition improved further, Steve was transferred to Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan to begin his rehabilitation.
"We're hopeful there's no permanent damage to his organs, and he'll be on oxygen for a while at home until his breathing improves.
"He's also having to exercise to get his strength up. There's a long way to go but we're just so pleased he's home."
Steve, who originally from Blackpool and has four grandchildren, spent 20 years in the British Army's Queen's Lancashire Regiment before joining the Welsh Ambulance Service as an ambulance care assistant in 2001 based in Tredegar.
He now works for the Welsh Ambulance Service's Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service.
Steve's colleagues have raised more than £3,400 via JustGiving to buy rehabilitation equipment to support his return to normal life.
He said: "I formed friendships in the Army that I didn't think I would have on Civvy Street, but my friends at the ambulance service have been brilliant, especially my team leader Paula Griffiths – not just to me, but also to Ann, checking in on her every day, sometimes three times a day.
"They sorted videos from the cast of Emmerdale and from sports personalities to try and bring me round from the ventilation.
"My friends and family also sent me video messages to try and bring me out of the sedation.
"I love my job and I can't wait to come back, though it won’t be for many months."
Phill Taylor, the Welsh Ambulance Service's Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service general manager in south east Wales, said: "We're thrilled that Steve has been discharged from hospital and would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our health board colleagues for looking after our dear friend and colleague.
"We'll be supporting Steve and his family as he regains his health and wish him all the very best for his road to recovery."
Director of operations Lee Brooks added: "It’s been a really difficult period for the service, especially with the death of paramedic Gerallt Davies MBE to Covid-19.
"At the Welsh Ambulance Service, our bonds run deep, and we were devastated when Steve also became very poorly with the virus.
"The whole organisation has been rooting for Steve, and we’re delighted that he’s now been able to leave hospital.
"Our focus now is on supporting Steve and his family as he continues his recovery at home."
