Inverness Covid-19 victim faces ongoing health battle
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A woman from Inverness who survived coronavirus has been told it may be up to a year until she fully recovers.
Sarah MacDougall (42), from Blarmore Avenue, Inverness, fought a life or death battle with coronavirus – spending two weeks in a coma and on a life support machine.
However, some 14 weeks after contracting the virus, her long-term prognosis is good, though her battle to full health is continuing.
An assistant cook at Ach-An-Eas Care Home, in Island Bank Road, she said: “It is going to be a long time yet until I am at full health.”
While scarring on her lungs has now cleared up she has been left with nerve damage in her foot, caused by a lack of oxygen while she was on a ventilator.
“I still have very little feeling in my leg and foot, and it can be frustrating, as I want to do more than I am doing,” she said.
“I am getting treatment for a blood clot in my leg, so the hospital is keeping a close eye on me.
“I still have some problems with my mobility although I have gone from using a zimmer frame to using crutches, so it is making moving about a bit easier.”
Having gone from having to take naps after she was discharged from hospital, she says her health has improved to the extent that she can now stay up for the entire day.
“And I am getting outside – and it is nice to start seeing my friends and family at a safe distance,” she added.
“The physio who visits me at home to help me is very pleased with my improvement.
“I hope to meet the consultant who looked after me in the hospital to give him a big cuddle and say ‘thank you’ for everything they have done to support me. I would not be here if it was not for the team at the hospital.
“One of my school friends was on the nursing team and it is lovely to be able to see her and thank her.
“It has been a long journey, and it will go on for some time yet, but I can’t wait to get back to my work at Ach-An-Eas, and to see all the residents and staff. I am sure they are missing me as much as I am missing them.”
Mrs MacDougall also urged people to continue to be careful.
“No-one should be taking risks with this virus,” she said. “It is deadly and people must take every precaution.
“I didn’t know I had it, I thought it was something else. People need to be socially isolated and not mix with others.”
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