Mansfield medical worker praises staff after winning battle with coronavirus at King's Mill Hospital

Karen Stevenson, 43, from Mansfield, who is an administrator in Radiology at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, came into the trust with suspected Coronavirus on March 27.

She said: “I had been unwell for a few days at home and hadn’t been able to get out of bed. I had a fever, tight chest and shortness of breath, so I knew I wasn’t right.

“I can remember going to the emergency department and to x-ray, but I can’t remember going to the ward prior to intensive care. My next memory is being told that I would be sedated and ventilated. I called my husband and made arrangements with him in case I didn’t make it through.”

Karen was cared for on King’s Mill Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and can remember waking up on ICU.

She said: “The care and compassion was exceptional, but I remember little else during this time, it’s all such a blur.”

After 16 days on ICU, Karen was then moved to Ward 43, which is the ward being used to care for patients with Covid-19. She added: “I can remember going onto the ward and I was still on a high dose of oxygen, I was very weak and unable to raise my arms, I was pretty much bed ridden and unable to swallow normal foods and fluids, so I needed a different diet.”

Reflecting on her time in hospital she said: “The care has been exceptional, all staff from nurses, doctors, carers, therapists and everyone else have been so caring and compassionate. From ED to ICU to ward 43.

“I’m so excited to be going home, I haven’t seen my family for nearly a month and I can’t wait to see my children and husband.

Charge Nurse on Ward 43 Justin Wyatt, who has been helping to care for Karen, said: “We wish Karen and her family all the best in her recovery and look forward to seeing her again at work once she is fit, well and fully recovered.”

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