‘Our prayers answered’ say family on great-grandfather's miracle recovery after beating Covid-19 and Sepsis whilst still fighting cancer

Eric Edwards, of Rhyl, was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago and developed secondary liver cancer last year.

He went into Glan Clwyd Hospital on Sunday, March 29 after experiencing shortness of breath, a high temperature and feeling unwell.

Mr Edwards, 75, who has been married to Pauline for 54 years, originally tested negative for Covid-19.

The father to Sharron, Beverley, Gareth and Amanda; grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to two, was treated for sepsis in his lungs but after a week, he deteriorated as his temperature remained high.

He was re-tested for Covid-19 and the result came back positive.

Daughter Sharron Matthews, who lives in Northampton and is a matron at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, said: “At first he was treated in a side room and then moved into a main bay with other patients.

“After a week he then started to deteriorate with a high temperature. He then tested positive for Covid-19 and was moved back into a side room. He had no visitors or television for three weeks. He was so poorly that he could not answer the phone for days. We had one video call from him which a nurse arranged.”

Mr Edwards, who retired to North Wales eight years ago from Whiston, has been receiving chemotherapy every three weeks at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Sharron, whose dad suffered a fall during his second week in hospital, found the experience that much harder as lockdown measures, and the current restrictions, meant family members were unable to visit.

Sharron said: “All we wanted to do was sit and hold dad’s hand to give him the strength to pull through.

Mr Edwards with his wife Pauline

"The lockdown period meant we were unable to visit and comfort mum or go and see dad. We also couldn’t visit mum as she is vulnerable and we would not want to risk infecting her.

"Also, following government guidance, we would not have been able to travel that distance to see her.

“The hospital also prepared us that if the worst were to happen, only one of the family could of been with dad.

“This was something very difficult to comprehend. We all did our best by supporting them both by making lots of phone calls but again went for days without speaking to dad as he was so unwell.

“During the last week I received daily phone calls from the ward staff and they kept us updated to what was happening.

“On Friday [April 17] dad took a turn for the worst and we were told that he was extremely poorly.

“He had to be sedated and we feared the worst was going to happen.

“To our amazement, I think all of our prayers had been answered and he woke the next morning and gradually started to improve.”

Because Mr Edwards was on chemotherapy, staff had to get him home as soon as possible as he was ‘at risk’ of catching other infections

“On Monday, April 20, he was assessed by the team to see if he was physically safe for discharge and he was.

“It was a miracle,” Sharron added.

Mr Edwards was back home on Tuesday, April 21.

A special applause was given to staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital during last Thursday’s clap for getting Mr Edwards through Covid-19.

Neighbours joined family members - adhering to social distancing rules - to think of NHS workers and Mr Edwards.

Sharron said: “The clap included one of their neighbours singing two songs to dad. One of them being ‘You Will Never Walk Alone'. They recorded it and sent it to us.

“Both mum and dad could not believe the support they have got from their neighbours.

“It certainly brought a tear to my eye when I watched it back.”

Sharron and her family go out every Thursday for the Clap for Our carers.

“It gives a feeling of togetherness and is lovely to hear and see the neighbours,” Sharron added.

“We would all like to say a huge thank you to all the staff that gave my dad the care and attention he needed and to the staff who answered my questions on a daily basis.

“As a matron myself it was hard because I understood what was happening to dad and at times, I just wanted to switch off my knowledge and understanding of what was happening.

“It takes a huge team to care for a patient so a big thank you goes to all.

“There is not one person but a whole team who got my dad through this and will keep him going through his ongoing cancer treatment,” she added.

“Without our NHS we would be lost.”

Sharron said fortunately, her dad doesn’t remember the days he was very poorly.

“He was extremely weak when he first came out of hospital, but we’ve have had lots of phone calls,” she said.

“One week on and he instigated his own phone call to me. This made me so happy as I knew he was getting stronger and gaining his independence again.

“I know he was so pleased to be back home with mum and he has been visited by my brother and family who also live in Rhyl.”

Mr Edwards was transported home by ambulance.

When he arrived home, he was greeted by a rainbow with ‘welcome home’ in the window and his neighbours gave him a ‘welcome home’ applause.

Sharron added: “We all love dad and words cannot express how happy and relieved we are to have him home.

"Even though I still can’t physically go and see my mum and dad, I still send them virtual hugs.”