World News – UK – Dad, who nearly died of Covid-19, said to call loved ones for the last time

Darren Buttrick, 49, didn’t think he could have coronavirus as he was « fit and healthy » but says it almost cost his life when he asked doctors not to let him die to let

Receive our daily coronavirus email newsletter with all the news you need straight to your inbox.

A fit and healthy father of three described the horrific moment he was told to make his « last call » when Covid-19 almost took his life.

Darren Buttrick, 49, said he thought « it could be » when doctors warned him his body was « shutting down » when the virus took over his lungs in March.

Darren, who lives in Coven, Staffordshire, recalls getting a call from the NHS saying he tested positive – despite having no underlying health condition.

« I remember seeing the news that day and they the first 2. 000 cases of coronavirus reported in the UK – and thought I was one of the first 2. 000 they have. I thought I was really unlucky, « he said.

Darren, who works for O2, suspects he contracted the virus while commuting to London for a business trip.

« I started to feel sick, it was just a nausea at first. Four days later, I was taken to New Cross by ambulance, had a very high temperature and had difficulty breathing.

« It wasn’t confirmed Covid at this point – I really didn’t think I would have gotten it if I’m honest as it was very early in the pandemic. « 

He was told to self-isolate and wait for the results of his Covid-19 test before turning on Jan.. March was called and said he was positive.

Darren’s condition gradually worsened over the course of the week until he went to bed early one night and began to « breathe hard ». .

« My daughter came in and she could hear me gasping for breath – and she asked if I was okay. I asked her to get her mother, I couldn’t open my eyes, I was terrible.

He was taken to A&E where he remembers being surrounded by doctors and nurses in PPE who told him he was being oxygenated.

« But they said I was past it, my body was slowly shutting down, » he said.

« They told me it was going to be an intensive care unit, on a ventilator and in a coma – they said they had no choice and that it was the only way to save me now. « .

“I was told that there is still a risk as it is an unknown virus.

« You said you now have 15 minutes while we prepare you to call your loved ones and tell them you need to prepare so that this could be your last call – whatever you say want to say it because you are very, very sick.

Darren was on a ventilator for six days, but his body had a side effect when it was removed so he eventually had to be ventilated again.

Darren was transferred to another ward where he stayed for another two days before being released home.

He says it took him a good month to recover from that – to « feel about 90 percent ». .

Darren beat the virus and is now about to turn 15. To make a donation of antibody-rich « convalescent plasma » that is currently being clinically tested to treat other coronavirus patients.

The plasma is given to patients who have difficulty developing their own immune response. The antibodies could slow or stop the virus from spreading, which could save lives.

« Now you can donate weekly. I’ve been doing this on a weekly basis for the past four weeks, « said Darren.

“For me it was about giving something back. The NHS saved me, I know how very sick I was. People think if you have asthma, or you have a heart problem, or you have a liver problem, you’re prone to it – but I haven’t had any underlying health problems, I don’t take pills, I go to the gym, I’m fit and healthy.

« But it has taken over my lungs. My official diagnosis was Covid-19 pneumonia with severe respiratory failure, according to my discharge letter.

« It can happen to anyone – I’m just a normal middle-aged man, married, have three children, am fit and healthy with no underlying health conditions – but it nearly cost my life.

« Donating my plasma has helped me overcome the emotions of Covid and the bad way I had it – it has helped my emotional recovery.

« It is the feeling of giving back – and helping others. I’ve donated 14 times now – I’ve hopefully helped 14 people avoid critical care, avoid coma, avoid a ventilator and ultimately avoid death, I hope.

Blood plasma, coronavirus, donation