Finally, we have hope in my father’s fight against coronavirus

I just spoke to my father for the first time in 16 days. He wasn’t able to speak back but the nurse told me that he smiled when he heard my voice. This is the first sign of consciousness we’ve had from him since he was sedated over two weeks ago to help his body fight the coronavirus that has been running through his veins.

During that time his lungs failed and a ventilator had to take over all of his breathing. A few days later his kidneys ceased to function properly and he was put on full dialysis. His muscles have atrophied and, even with the NHS angels who watch over him every day moving his limbs, his body has become weaker than it’s ever been before.

Since the weekend the doctors have been trying to slowly wake him up but he has been suffering from severe sedation delirium; a condition where the confusion and discombobulation of being brought out of such a long slumber turn to panic and distress.