So proud of my baby bro - he truly is a fighter.

[RiaJam]

91 loooooong days but......... my brother is out of ICU and on the ward. Soooooooo happy. 91 days but he beat the virus. Happy days. X x X ❤️❤️🥰. He’s was so so pleased to be out of ICU. Scan of his kidneys tomorrow and go from there. Speech and language will reassess his swallowing reflect so he can start eating and drinking small amounts. He wants fish and chips and mushy peas!!! x x sooooo proud of my bro.

For all you put there in the same place we were all those weeks ago - keep positive. Keep the faith and never lose hope. X x

[Ferham]

Wonderful news, absolutely delighted for you and love his choice of food . Wishing you all the best in the next stage of recovery for your brother .

[RiaJam in reply to Ferham]

Thank you Ferham and I hope your husband continues to make good progress. X

[Sepsur]

@RiaJam Way hey - I left ICU after 90 days - had my first meal at 75 days - he’ll be shocked by what his taste buds will tolerate. I found everything was too sweet, too salty or too tasty. ( Goldilocks and all 😊).

He still will have a mountain to climb but he & you are not on your own - there are people who have walked the walk ahead of both of you. He may find the critical care guide on this link helpful. If he has the strength to use a tablet yet. Anyway best wishes moving forward

icustepschester.org/informa...

[RiaJam in reply to Sepsur]

Aaah thank you Sepsur. I hope you are making a good recovery on your journey. Yes he has a long way to go but he’s here and we are truly thankful especially to all the NHS staff who fought so hard for him and for everyone who needs ICU care. We really have the best of the best in our healthcare system.

I myself spend a lot of time checking info on this site and will definitely share some with my brother (gently and slowly).

Keep safe everyone and ‘Buen camino’ Sepsur. X x

[Sepsur in reply to RiaJam]

Yes we are so immensely fortunate. Best wishes to your brother

[HopefulA]

Yaaaay great news, well done to your brother!

Excited that he is that step closer to home xx💜

[Mccarthy0702]

So happy for your brother and all your family . May he continue to progress on his journey and be home soon xx

[RiaJam in reply to Mccarthy0702]

Thank you. X

[FamilyHistorian]

Hi RiaJam

I had to be assessed for swallow. He will be lucky to have fish & chips or even mushy peas. They started me off with swallowing exercises together with chipped ice, I progressed to chipped ice AND water. Then a camera assessment was done and I was allowed flavoured water and thin soup. They did try a water thickener which was vile. They will test him with foods of different consistency eg yogurt, ice cream, banana. It was about 6 weeks before I was upgraded to yogurt or apple purée and then quite quickly to basically liquidised food with some lumps - level 6. I came out mid March when was taken off the tube feed and continued with level 6 and banana but definitely not F&C’s but mushy peas yes. I am waiting for my first follow up appointment which is unlikely to be before the end of August. So I have extended my range of textures (against the rules) but still can’t have bread, baked potatoes with skin or choc brownies etc.

Continue supporting your brother and don’t forget that you too will need support.

[RiaJam in reply to FamilyHistorian]

Thank you for this information. Although we realise that it will be some time before f&c is on the menu I didn’t realise that it was such a regime leading up to some kind of ‘normal’ eating. He’s a fussy eater my bro and doesn’t eat anything that looks remotely like a vegetable - although ‘mushy peas’ don’t count! He was admitted at 15 stone and is now down to 9.5 so will need to start eating a bit more and soon. Currently he is still with an NG tube (hopefully incorporating veggies 😀). We have asked that he be weighed again this week although realising that as he can’t yet stand this will not be entirely accurate.

Thank you so much for the information. It’s good to know what to expect. Seeing his face saying he is gasping for a cuppa is heartbreaking.

I personally have found this group very helpful - I have tried to persuade my sil to join too but not sure she has yet. I will try and attend the zoom sessions in the future but for now.........thank you everyone for your kind words, help and advice and wishing your loved ones speedy recoveries.

[FamilyHistorian in reply to RiaJam]

I should stress that what I outlined above happened to me. Everyone is different. I’m 6’ 3” and before I went in I was +- 17 stone. When I came out I was 13 ½ stone once home I dropped further to 13 stone but now after 3 ½ months I am back up to 13 ½ stone.

Last night, Tuesday, was the first relatives drop in on zoom. My wife visited the group and found it really good and helpful.

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

[PeterJu]

really happy for you, your brother and all the people that care about him. best wishes to you all, Pete

[RiaJam in reply to PeterJu]

Thank you Peter.

[Woo2]

Fantastic news!

I am so pleased for you and your brother! 😍

[RiaJam in reply to Woo2]

Thank you Woo.

[Marcita]

Congrats! 🥳

It's day 90 and something for us too.

Mom is Covid free but still at the ward because of some small issues (nutritional issues, skin issues and physiotherapy) but she's great.

It was a hard path for all of us.

[RiaJam in reply to Marcita]

Thank you Marcita. Wishing your mum a good recovery. X

[Sepsur in reply to Marcita]

Wow - boy it’s been a long time for you!!

[Marcita in reply to Sepsur]

Indeed! We are not done yet as Covid took a big toll on my mom's body. She's depressed. I'm praying she gets better once she go back home!

[Ferham in reply to Marcita]

Her mood will lift when she gets home to her creature comforts and familiar surroundings . Hoping she is home with you very soon x

[stevet11753]

Fish and chips and mushy peas! Lol! 😃

Wishing all of you all the best. Onwards and upwards! 💪

(I also don't eat my greens 😊)

[RiaJam in reply to stevet11753]

Thank you Steve. The most he got yesterday was a sip or two of water and some yoghurt oh.........and a visit from his wife - first time she’s seen him since 8th April. 🥰

[MarthaKos in reply to RiaJam]

That’s so amazing! The way they both felt is so amazing, I visited my boyfriend yesterday for the first time since April 9th, so I can imagine xx

[Dolphin011]

Congratulations 🎉💖

Wishing him all the best 🙏💪 xxx

[DrARDS]

Fantastic news! So pleased to read this 😀

[RiaJam]

Thank you DrArds. Now if there was something that would erase his dislike of vegetables (not including ‘mushy’ peas (🤢) of course.........

[Sepsur in reply to RiaJam]

I tell you my tastes changed - didn’t drink coffee for about 3yrs - only black tea - before - hated tea - especially black tea 😊

[Pandysgirls]

Excellent news pray for a speedy recovery back home , and those much desired fish chips !! Xxx

[RiaJam in reply to Pandysgirls]

AAAh thank you. I hope your husband continues a good recovery. X