Kirkby man Ricky so happy to be home after 81 days fighting Covid-19

Ricky Chadwick, 54, not only spent 81 days in hospital, but was even unconscious throughout his own birthday during that time.

Shortly after arriving in hospital, he was put on a ventilator and spent 28 days in intensive care in an induced coma before coming round.

He said: “I vaguely remember arriving at the hospital in an ambulance, but all my senses had gone, I couldn’t really move or hear much.

“It was really strange coming round and seeing everyone in their PPE it was a very alien environment, but the staff were amazing and really helped me make sense of where I was and what was happening.

“The staff kept a diary for me whilst I was in intensive care so I could piece together the time I had lost, they even left me lots of well wishes on my birthday, which my family and I thought was really kind.”

Once transferred on to the recovery ward, Ricky had to learn to walk again and get to grips eating solid foods again after such a long time on a ventilator.

There were tough days where he found it hard, especially as he was not able to have any visitors due to restrictions.

But on a particularly tough day his family were allowed in for a very quick visit to talk though the ward window as a surprise to help boost his spirits.

He said: “A small visit was something so simple, but it really meant the world to me and made all the difference.”

Ricky was finally discharged on June 26 and recalled the moment he saw his wife, Monica and daughter Natalie, for the first time outside of the hospital.

He said: “It was a really emotional moment, it’s so strange not seeing your loved ones for so long, it was amazing to see them again.

“I cannot thank all the hospital staff enough for their care, they really did bring me back from the brink.

Justin Wyatt, charge nurse for Ricky’s recovery ward, added: “It always gives us a real boost to see our long term patients leave the hospital once they have recovered.

“We all got to know Ricky during his time with us and we couldn’t be happier that he is back with his family.”