I survived swine flu and 15 days in a coma
Bianca Clare | 28th August 2009
DANNY Dempsey spent 15 days in an induced coma in the intensive care unit of Mackay Base Hospital battling life-threatening swine flu complications.
Unable to breathe alone the 48-year-old father of three was hooked up to a ventilator.
But his wife of 25 years, 44 year-old Barbara Dempsey, never gave up hope of seeing the love of her life smile again.
Even on the three occasions when the doctors told her it might be time to say her final goodbyes.
Clutching a walking frame for support, Danny this week emerged from his bed at Mackay Base Hospital weak in body but not in spirit.
His recovery was nothing short of a miracle.
On Saturday, August 1, Danny travelled 700km from his home town of Malanda, near Atherton, via Cairns and Townsville hospitals in helicopters to Mackay Base Hospital because there were no vacant intensive care unit beds in North Queensland.
Earlier that week he had begun to feel the onset of mild flu-like symptoms.
He visited his GP who suspected swine flu but no tests were taken because Danny didn't fall into any of the vulnerable category groups.
After five days of bed rest Danny's condition began to worsen and on Friday night he was admitted to Atherton Hospital which marked the start of his 15 days in an induced coma.
Barbara said once it was confirmed Danny had swine flu, she couldn't accept the possibility that her husband of 25 years was not going to make it.
?I held his hand and spoke to him the whole time he was in a coma,? she said.
?I kept telling him 'you have got to find a way out of this' and gave him all the love I could.?
Barbara, who has being staying in Red Cross emergency accommodation in Mackay, said that when times got tough and there was no sign of improvement from Danny she went for a walk to clear her head.
?I've had family here on and off so I haven't been alone,? she said.
?The uncertainty of everything was the worst.?
Danny said the past month had been a blur.
?When I woke up from the coma I was in a daze,? he said.
?I had lost 13 kilograms and missed out on my birthday.
?At the moment I am focused on getting my strength back so I can be discharged and return home to see my children.?
Danny said his close call with death had made him realise how precious life was.
?I am deeply thankful to the staff at the Mackay Base Hospital for helping me recover. They have been excellent,? he said.
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/08/28/danny-dempsey-survived-swine-flu-15-days-in-coma/
Bianca Clare | 28th August 2009
DANNY Dempsey spent 15 days in an induced coma in the intensive care unit of Mackay Base Hospital battling life-threatening swine flu complications.
Unable to breathe alone the 48-year-old father of three was hooked up to a ventilator.
But his wife of 25 years, 44 year-old Barbara Dempsey, never gave up hope of seeing the love of her life smile again.
Even on the three occasions when the doctors told her it might be time to say her final goodbyes.
Clutching a walking frame for support, Danny this week emerged from his bed at Mackay Base Hospital weak in body but not in spirit.
His recovery was nothing short of a miracle.
On Saturday, August 1, Danny travelled 700km from his home town of Malanda, near Atherton, via Cairns and Townsville hospitals in helicopters to Mackay Base Hospital because there were no vacant intensive care unit beds in North Queensland.
Earlier that week he had begun to feel the onset of mild flu-like symptoms.
He visited his GP who suspected swine flu but no tests were taken because Danny didn't fall into any of the vulnerable category groups.
After five days of bed rest Danny's condition began to worsen and on Friday night he was admitted to Atherton Hospital which marked the start of his 15 days in an induced coma.
Barbara said once it was confirmed Danny had swine flu, she couldn't accept the possibility that her husband of 25 years was not going to make it.
?I held his hand and spoke to him the whole time he was in a coma,? she said.
?I kept telling him 'you have got to find a way out of this' and gave him all the love I could.?
Barbara, who has being staying in Red Cross emergency accommodation in Mackay, said that when times got tough and there was no sign of improvement from Danny she went for a walk to clear her head.
?I've had family here on and off so I haven't been alone,? she said.
?The uncertainty of everything was the worst.?
Danny said the past month had been a blur.
?When I woke up from the coma I was in a daze,? he said.
?I had lost 13 kilograms and missed out on my birthday.
?At the moment I am focused on getting my strength back so I can be discharged and return home to see my children.?
Danny said his close call with death had made him realise how precious life was.
?I am deeply thankful to the staff at the Mackay Base Hospital for helping me recover. They have been excellent,? he said.
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/08/28/danny-dempsey-survived-swine-flu-15-days-in-coma/
