Covid, Cancer, it makes no difference when it is your Sister.

Pat with my children who are now 19 & 22

My dear sister Patricia (Pat) passed away in the early hours of this morning (29.12.2020) unable to ward off the challenge of a chest infection and  COVID19.  Pat passed away in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and was in the safe and professional hands of the staff of Culm Ward.  (Pat was able to use social media up until her time in Culm, warning people of the risks of Covid until she could no longer)

Pat was admitted on Christmas Eve. I was working in the Emergency Department when Pat was admitted by ambulance to the department.  I knew that name on the screen, burst into tears, the nurse in charge leading me by the hand to get into full PPE so that I could share her final journey. I got to hold her hand, talk to her and support her whilst in ED before she made her final journey to intensive care and then to Culm.  The whole experience very surreal knowing from my experience of Covid patients that have her acute breathing difficulties, her co-morbidities and her age (18 years older than me) meant that it would be unlikely she would see or speak to me again.  

Pat will be known to many of you through this blog as my sister who supported me through my own cancer journey in 2005 and co-wrote many of these articles.  Pat was not everyone's cup of tea, not mine sometimes, but she had a kind heart, this blog and her charity work through Exeter & Exmouth Carnivals testament to her helping of others. 

The transmission of the virus into Pat's shielding home was brought in by an unsuspecting "bubble" family member, who subsequently tested positive.  Whilst some may scoff at Matt Hancock's statement "don't kill your granny" ...alas in Pat's case it was true.   Her last words to me were "Nigel, I have been so safe, so careful" a reference to her and her husband's shielding.  

Pat is survived by her husband Ron, Son Mark, Grand & Great Children.

I have seen how Covid19 affects many patients.  It has no mercy.  I will, I am sure to see many more in the months to come.  When it is your own flesh and blood right in front of you, hooked up to machines and a nurse and doctor in full PPE it brings home the reality that every person needs to know, it kills and has no mercy.