Couple near Peterborough thank Royal Papworth Hospital after wife almost dies of coronavirus

A woman who almost died from coronavirus wants to publicly thank the hospital that saved her life.

Sadie Fountain, from Ramsey, was put into an induced coma for 16 days at the Royal Papworth Hospital after catching the deadly virus.

And while husband Liam always clung on to the hope she would pull through, the couple now have a long road to recovery ahead of them.

Sadie said: “It’s scary to know how close I was to death. I have got to praise Royal Papworth Hospital because they were amazing.”

The 48-year-old started to feel unwell on Thursday, March 26. She had a changeable temperature and poor appetite.

Liam, 50, said: “We thought this coronavirus isn’t going to affect us.”

After calling 111, the couple isolated as per instruction but Sadie - who works at a care home - got worse, struggling to breathe.

Liam said: “I was really panicking but I did not want to show it in front of her.”

On Thursday, April 2, the couple called 111 again and an ambulance was sent to their home in The Terrace within 10 minutes. Sadie was rushed to Hinchingbrooke Hospital and then transferred to the heart and lung specialists at Royal Papworth Hospital the same evening.

“I thought ‘this is serious if she’s gone to Papworth - what’s going to happen now?’ But she needed that expert hospital.”

Three days later, Sadie was put on a ventilator, then into an induced coma.

“I just tried to keep myself busy. I tried to concentrate on fundraising. I just knew she was going to pull through. But it was just so confusing.”

Liam managed to raise £1,231 through a Facebook fundraiser for the Papworth charity and even celebrated his 50th birthday alone while NHS staff worked tirelessly to save Sadie.

After 16 days, Sadie was taken off the ventilator on Tuesday, April 21 and was discharged on Tuesday, April 28 - nearly four weeks after being admitted to hospital.

But even after being discharged, the couple have found the road to recovery isn’t plain sailing.

Liam - who works at Anglian Water - said: “Sadie was totally confused. I didn’t recognise her straight away.”

And his wife added: “I still struggle every single day. I break down most days. I can’t see my kids. I can’t see my grandkids. Everything takes me longer and I still have some memory loss.”

And as the death toll tops 40,597, the couple also struggle with the loss of friends from COVID-19.

“We know of two people who have not survived and you feel guilty,” said Liam, who urged people to follow the rules of social distancing and frequent handwashing as lockdown is eased across the country.