“I am excited to be going home today after being here for a month, and tomorrow is my birthday.”
These are the words of 59-year-old Mrs Hadebe, who was admitted to AbaQulusi Private Hospital on July 18 after testing positive for Covid-19. She was discharged a month later on August 20, a day before her birthday, which makes for a double celebration!
Hadebe fell ill with a niggling stomach bug and went to see the doctor. Upon her arrival at the doctor’s office, her temperature shot through the roof and the doctor immediately arranged for her to be tested for the virus. Unfortunately, she had some underlying diseases which created a dark and uncertain scenario for the doctors who treated her. Hadebe was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital and was connected to a ventilator, since she had trouble breathing. “Some days I did not know whether it was morning, noon or evening. Some days I didn’t even know where I was,” she told the Herald. Hadebe said she doesn’t know where she contracted the virus, since she was always careful and never left her house, but she still got sick. Doctor M Nxumalo, who treated Hadebe, said that he and his team of nursing staff had to fight for her life… and some days he thought she wasn’t going to make it. The hardest part for him was to prepare her family that she might not walk out of the hospital. Doctor Nxumalo said he had no experience in the field of the virus, and that very few doctors have, but he consulted with his colleagues in Johannesburg and used some of their advice. He also read a lot about the virus and what is known about it to try and educate himself. Some nights, he didn’t sleep and guarded over Hadebe.

Doctor Nxumalo told the Herald that, at the start of lockdown, he thought it was ridiculous of the government since a lot more people die from the common flu, but he has since realised that this virus is deadly.  And because it is a new virus with very little information available, it is very difficult to treat patients who contract Covid-19.  “This is very serious and people should take note and protect themselves,” an exhausted Nxumalo said.  He continued by complimenting his amazing team in the ICU, who fought side by side with him to save Hadebe’s life.  The physiotherapist had to teach her how to walk again, since her body was so weak after being in bed for a month. Nxumalo believes that communication is the key, since his orders had to be followed strictly and directly to treat Covid-19 patients.

Doctor Nxumalo was relieved and happy to discharge Mrs Hadebe a day before her 59th birthday in order for her to celebrate it with her family.  “She is healthy and deserves to be spoilt,” he said.  Hadebe said that she is grateful to receive the gift of life, even if she doesn’t get any other gifts on her birthday.  “This is a terrible decease; people need to be extra careful and take good care of themselves by staying at home,” warned Hadebe.

“I am glad I have managed to survive this. I am mostly grateful of the doctor and the nurses in this hospital; their care was amazing and they were all passionate about their work, they made staying in ICU not to be as bad, even though no one actually wants to be in ICU. I am very thankful for their care. I doubt I would have made it if it wasn’t for them,” Hadebe concluded.

ALSO READ: A true story: The aftermath of testing positive for Covid-19

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