I got Covid-19 and Becket Ward at Northampton General Hospital saved my life  

By Claire Gray (Mann) 

It was Friday 13th November and I had really bad stabbing pains in the back of my lungs and I thought it was my usual back troubles. Saturday 14th, I began to deteriorate so quickly by the early evening I was spiking a fever, it was so hard to breath and I was extremely disoriented. My Mam then rang 111 who said they would send an ambulance and boy they were with me so quickly.  

 
I was taken straight into a Covid A&E room. I remember vaguely being in there for a couple of hours and then I was taken for a chest x-ray. The news was quickly given to me. I HAD COVID. As well as pneumonia and pleurisy. I was all on my own scared and frightened of what laid ahead for me.  

 
I was sent straight to Beckett Ward which is an Acute Respiratory Ward treating Covid patients. The first seven days were extremely hard. I was told I was very poorly and the Doctor's said to me they were going to do everything at this point to get me better. I was actually beyond scared. There were no visitors allowed however, the Nurses were unbelievably caring, every single one of them went above and beyond. They were compassionate, kind, thoughtful and often sat with me and talked when I was overwhelmed, confused and anxious.  

 
Later in my journey I was moved to a side room for a couple of days as my oxygen levels were dropping even on high oxygen levels. So, I was allocated a nurse each day. I never had to ring my bell once for assistance as they were constantly checking on me and by my side. At this point I had already started the correct antibiotic given intravenously every 6 hours for 7 days alongside a 10 day course of steroids. As well as other things they were constantly pumping into to keep me alive! The pain, was a pain I’d never felt before. I struggled to breathe. The sickness never stopped. My migraine lasted for four days. The Nurses and Doctors rallied round to accommodate all my needs. Nothing was ever a bother! I must say the night sweats were unbelievable and lasted what seemed like forever. But they were there with me through it all, every day. 

 
However, after 12 days of unbelievable care from a well put together Nurses and Doctors my oxygen was down to 2 %, Yay! They wanted to ween me off it over the weekend so I could go home. All their hard work paid off. I was blessed and tearful beyond words they used the words HOME 

I am extremely lucky that I got to come home after 15 days fighting everything, I had been put up against. If it was not for those Doctors & Nurses constant determination to help me, I do not know whether I would be here today!  

 
I spoke with the Charity Department at Northampton General Hospital. The team members Alison and Michelle said Beckett ward are wanting to make one of the rooms for the relatives. This would include relaxing paintings, nice chairs, and warm drinks. This is so Doctors and Nurses can talk about Covid patient's conditions in a more private setting then on the ward or corridors. It would also be a private place for relatives to grieve.  

 
If I could make any money from the help of Friends and Family knowing the money could go to creating a move private, relaxing room for relatives going through this extremely hard time. When being given news about their mum, dad, sister, brother, son, daughter, auntie, uncle, niece, nephew, grandma, grandad, or best mate. This can be done in place privately with dignity and respect towards their loved ones and not in the corridors of the Ward.  

Any amount of money you can give will mean the world to me and Beckett ward  I am at home recovering today because of the Nurses and Doctor’s impeccable care. I survived and I feel extremely lucky  but not all will. 

Lots of Love to you all  

Clairey xxx