MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay local, Danie Jansen van Rensburg, left hospital last week after 85 days of hospitalisation because of Covid-19.
He was in Vidamed Day Hospital and prior to that at Life Bay View Hospital in the intensive care unit. His time in Life Bay View, plus Vidamed totalled 85 days.
Danie was welcomed by family and friends and numerous blue balloons as he left Vidamed last week.
"I had diabetes and high blood pressure," Danie said when asked if he had any co-morbidities when he contracted Covid-19.
He was hospitalised on 16 December and only woke up on about 2 February, he says.
Bedsore
"It was a difficult time. It was hard to breath, having to have oxygen, but it is something of the past now. I can't complain. Grace got me to where I am now. I have a bedsore, but that will heal. I am walking well with a frame and exercising every day. It is a case of baby steps, but I am carrying on.
"I have no feeling in three fingers on my right hand and my head and neck are numb on the right side, but that will come right."
Danie is grateful to Vidamed and Life Bay View for the good treatment he received.
He also thanks all the people who supported him on Facebook and who prayed for him, including people overseas.
Danie's symptoms of Covid-19 were evident on 11 December. He was tested for the illness on 13 December.
His wife, Maureen, also contracted Covid-19. Her symptoms were noticed on 13 December.
Maureen said: "On the evening of 16 December, I saw Danie was extremely ill and confused. I called an ambulance and he was immediately admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 and pneumonia."
Ventilator
On Saturday, 19 December, Maureen was called by Danie's doctor, who said Danie was in a critical condition and would go on a ventilator.
"He was in a critical condition for weeks and then stable. It's a miracle he survived the virus," Maureen said.
"Danie's bedsore is as large as my hand. It is difficult to treat and will take months to heal. A nurse visits him twice a week to treat it. He has to learn how to walk again. He lost 23 kilograms.
"Only on day 57 of his hospitalisation, could I see him. It was extremely emotional. He could only see our children and grandchildren when he left Vidamed last week," Maureen says.
In Vidamed Danie made friends with a fellow Covid-19 patient, Jurgen van Staden.
They encouraged one another.
Maureen thanks the couple's children, extended family and friends for their support. She also thanks the hospitals, doctors and nursing staff for their good care.
Danie Jansen van Rensburg, left hospital last week after 85 days of hospitalisation because of Covid-19:
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