A WESTBURY dad-of-three who fell into a coma after contracting Coronavirus has woken up.
Lee Tilley went into a coma on 6th January, two days after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19. He then suffered a stroke and was fighting for his life in Bath RUH intensive care unit.
Mum, Karen, also had Coronavirus and was at home caring for their two sons and teenage daughter, Josselin, who is severely disabled and has complex needs.
Josselin (14) has a rare genetic condition called Charge syndrome which has left her profoundly deaf, blind and unable to communicate, walk, or eat – she is fed via a tube. She uses a wheelchair, has to be cpap ventilated at night, has scoliosis and osteoporosis, and is prone to seizures among many other conditions.
A fundraising appeal was set up to help the family (which has so far received donations totalling over £8,000) “to help an amazing family out” by Faye Jones-Filler, who is known to Karen as she also has a son with Charge syndrome.
Last week, Karen posted on the Facebook page Josselin’s Adventures With Charge, “Pleased to say that Josselin’s dad has woken from his coma. He is still on a ventilator through his tracheostomy but his eyes are open. The nurse caring for him has video called me and held the phone to Lee, he is able to smile, nod and understand what we are saying! Still a way to go, but he is back with us!”
Karen told White Horse News, Lee opened his eyes on Friday 22nd January.
“On Saturday, the hospital video called us so we could see him, it was me and the three children – very emotional,” Karen said. “He is able to smile and can do a thumbs up with his right arm, he recognises us and can understand what we are saying.
“He is starting rehabilitation to wean him off the ventilator and to speak, then after that, to eat and walk.”
She praised the staff at Bath RUH intensive care unit saying, “absolutely amazing staff, really going above and beyond for us.
“Lee cannot have visitors but the nurses have printed and laminated photos of us, which are hung up all around him.
“They are incredibly busy – six wards are Covid wards, an ICU just for Covid, and once you are clear of the virus, you go to the other ICU for intensive therapy.”
