A Hitchin mother is gearing up to take part in the Lister Abseil in support of the hospital which saved her and her baby’s life when she contracted Covid.
Kerrie Goude was midway through her pregnancy when she fell ill and was admitted to Lister Hospital in Stevenage on December 28, 2020.
Three days later, her condition worsened, and Kerrie was transferred to the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).
She was placed on a ventilator to aid her breathing.
Upon gaining consciousness, Kerrie found herself in a weakened state, unable to stand, suffered from psychosis and experiencing breathing difficulties due to a throat granuloma caused by the ventilator.
Remarkably, she was still carrying her baby, unbeknownst to her at the time.
Her recovery was slow and arduous, but she was ultimately discharged on January 18, and welcomed her healthy baby son a couple of months later.
However, her full recovery would take several additional months.
Kerrie said: "Although I will never be able to repay the level of care, compassion, and selfless determination the staff in ICU gave me whilst I was in their care, I want to continually do all I can to raise awareness and vital funds for the incredible work they do.
"During my descent on the March 23, I have no doubt that I will feel incredibly emotional.
"I was lucky enough to return home to my husband and four-year-old daughter, and not only that, I also got to bring home my brand-new baby boy.
"The last few years have taken me from someone who was on life support with a limited chance for survival, to being strong enough to abseil 11 storeys down the side of a building - all thanks to the team at Lister."
The abseil is an event organised by East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity to fundraise for Lister Hospital, Hertford County Hospital, New QEII Hospital, and Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
Kerrie has decided to devote her efforts to the charity's Sunshine Appeal, an endeavour to create an outdoor space for ICU patients to enjoy the fresh air.
Those interested in supporting the Sunshine Appeal can visit www.enhhcharity.org.uk/sunshine.
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