April 2, 2020 4.59 pm This story is over 47 months old

How Lincoln man started road to recovery from coronavirus

Dave and his family praised NHS staff for saving his life

Dave Grimes is on the long road to recovery from coronavirus and praised NHS staff for saving his life.

A 66-year-old Lincoln man was applauded by the NHS staff he said saved his life as he was discharged from hospital to continue his road to recovery from coronavirus.

Dave Grimes and his wife Sue, 65, booked a last minute trip to Spain earlier this month before the pandemic had spiralled out of control.

However, on March 13 they contacted their daughter Kerry Baker, 42, to say they were on lockdown.

Thankfully they managed to get home to the UK, but illness then took hold.

Sue started to feel unwell with a high temperature on March 16. Although she started to feel better a few days later, Dave then began feeling the same symptoms, as well as a persistent cough.

His condition worsened and NHS 111 advised them to self-isolate and for him to take paracetamol for pain relief.

Dave, who retired last summer after over 50 years with Siemens, was admitted to hospital on March 26.

X-ray results confirmed pneumonia on both lungs and Dave was given antibiotics through a drip and was on constant oxygen.

He was diagnosed before later testing positive for COVID-19, but told he was on the mend.

Fast forward to Wednesday, April 1 and Dave was discharged, staff applauding him as he left.

Dave and his wife were advised to self-isolate as a precaution for a week, and his message to people now is to stay safe.

Although he will not have any further tests, he is in good spirits and concentrating on getting better on his long road to recovery. Dave and Sue are now temporarily keeping their distance from each other at home for seven days where possible and both have been given gloves and masks.

Daughter Kerry told The Lincolnite that it was difficult for the family, and for her mum self-isolating by herself at home, as the only communication they had with her dad was via text message.

She said: “All you want to hear is some positive news and any sign of an improvement, just anything. I have never in my life experienced feelings like it.”

Kerry added that Dave and the family want to thank the NHS staff and paramedics, who they say were amazing throughout and risked their lives to save his.

The family will be out every Thursday evening giving them the biggest clap they all deserve.