COVID had him on his deathbed, then frontline hospital workers saved this Sask man’s life

“They gave me the possibility to stay once more. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be right here at this time.”

These are the phrases out of 55-year-old Rob Friesen’s mouth after he narrowly averted dying by the hands of COVID-19.

In late January 2022, the Melville resident began feeling all of the tell-tale signs of the virus, akin to shortness of breath.

“I had a tough time respiratory in any respect. Excessive fever, large complications, very weak. It virtually felt like being poisoned,” Friesen mentioned.

He had just a few fast take a look at kits at his residence however they had been arising unfavorable so he waited per week earlier than his well being had deteriorated to the purpose the place he checked himself into the Melville hospital.

The Melville hospital employees rapidly had him shipped to Yorkton Regional Well being Centre.

When he bought to Yorkton, the unvaccinated Friesen had lungs that had been stuffed with fluid and blood clots.

Medical doctors tried to get extra oxygen into his physique however nothing would work. His lungs couldn’t perform to the purpose the place they may maintain his oxygen ranges steady so docs made the choice to place him on life assist and in a coma.

Friesen was alone on the hospital, in isolation and he was informed he had two hours to make any cellphone calls to members of the family to allow them to know he was happening life assist.

“That was very exhausting as a result of I actually believed I wasn’t popping out. I phoned my son and informed him: ‘They’re placing me right into a coma to attempt to save my life as a final resort. Maintain the children and don’t cease praying for me,’” recalled Friesen about his final moments earlier than being put in a coma.

Friesen is retired and has labored a handful of jobs over his life. A kind of was a three-year stint as a personal nurse in Regina and Yorkton.

All through the pandemic, he was cautious of COVID-19 however figured he would get it will definitely.

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He thinks he bought COVID-19 from a member of the family at a household gathering. He thought he was fairly wholesome and barely will get flus or colds, so he figured if he ever bought it, it could be a light or average case.

After that household gathering, the virus went by means of his household, however Friesen was the one one to have a extreme case.

He now says that the virus has humbled him.

After 14 days in a coma, Friesen wakened.

He mentioned it felt like he had been asleep for perhaps two to 3 hours till he was knowledgeable it had been two weeks.

“I used to be questioning, is that this heaven? Is that this hell? Or is that this the hospital? It took about 30 seconds to understand I used to be within the hospital and that I’d made it,” Friesen mentioned.

Friesen is aware of how fortunate he’s to have survived, with so many others shedding their lives to COVID-19.

Simply final week, one other 22 folks in Saskatchewan handed away from COVID-19 and the virus has taken over 1,200 lives within the province in the course of the pandemic.

After coming off of life assist, Friesen nonetheless had an uphill battle. He would find yourself spending 36 days within the Yorkton ICU and mentioned he feels he owes his life to the employees or docs and nurses there.

“It’s simply wonderful the quantity of effort they put into maintaining me alive and wholesome and to assist me make it by means of. The care is wonderful on the Yorkton Hospital, the employees is wonderful. The docs had been on high of all the pieces all alongside,” the previous nurse mentioned.

Friesen was so grateful for the care he acquired that three weeks after being discharged, he returned to the hospital bearing presents.

He spent round $500 on a large present basket that included flowers, candles and goodies and delivered it to the frontline staff who saved his life.

“I couldn’t say thanks sufficient to them for what that they had finished. There isn’t a means on the planet I could possibly be right here with out them,” Friesen mentioned of the hospital employees.

Kurt Fahlman, a registered ICU nurse at Yorkton Regional, was one of many nurses who was by Friesen’s facet throughout his hospital keep.

Fahlman acknowledges that Friesen is a hit story in that he was fairly in poor health and positively beat the chances.

“The pandemic the final couple years has been very tough for everybody concerned in healthcare,” Fahlman mentioned.

“When someone steps again and says, ‘Thanks very a lot, you’ve got actually helped me out and helped my household,’ it’s actually appreciated. You simply don’t count on it from anyone ever and once they do, it actually brings a smile to your face.”

Popping out of a coma, Friesen needed to relearn methods to stroll and discuss. He’s now three weeks faraway from his hospital keep, his lungs are nonetheless therapeutic, and he nonetheless takes oxygen.

He mentioned he’s assured he shall be getting vaccinated after his physique will get stronger and he will get again to higher well being.