A patient in Poole Hospital has left critical care to a round of applause from his care team after overcoming the worst stages of coronavirus, despite a history of serious health problems that could have led to a very different outcome.
Ian Cobb, 48, was diagnosed with coronavirus in March 2020. At first he fought the illness at his home in Wool but he was admitted to Poole Hospital after his condition worsened three days later and spent the next 60 days fighting for his life in the Critical Care Unit. For most of that time, he was kept on a ventilator.
At last, Ian began to improve and on 3 June he was discharged from the unit.
His recovery is one that inspires hope, especially in light of the health battles he had already faced. In August 2014, Ian was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare but serious illness in which abnormal ‘amyloid’ proteins build up in the space in and around tissues, nerves and organs, making it more difficult for them to function properly. In October 2014, he had a heart transplant, which was followed by a bone marrow transplant in 2017. Since then, he has also undergone chemotherapy for the condition.
Speaking about his experience, Ian voiced his gratitude to the NHS staff who cared for him: “The staff at the hospital have collectively saved my life and I will be forever grateful.
“In particular, the critical care team have been phenomenal, they made sure the first voice I heard after my coma was from my wife, Sam, and I’m truly grateful for that.
“After 60 days with no visitors, it’s been a bit lonely but I’m expecting to see Sam soon, I’m looking forward to being able to spend time with her and my family again because I’ve really missed them.”
James Bromilow, Lead Consultant for Intensive Care Medicine at Poole Hospital, said: “Ian has already had a really tough battle with his health over the past few years,” he said.
“He’s shown amazing fortitude to come through this and everyone in the critical care team wishes him well in his future recovery.”