In April 2020, Sue Martin told the BBC how her husband Mal had contracted Covid-19 and his chances of survival were almost zero. Nearly three months on, Sue, 49, a civil servant from south Wales, provides an update on his remarkable recovery and the unexpected public reaction to their story.
Mal was taken to hospital by ambulance gravely ill with Covid-19. Doctors told Sue that his chances of survival were virtually zero, and the family said their goodbyes. However, a tiny improvement the next day meant a drug supporting Mal's blood pressure could be reduced, offering a glimmer of hope.
For six weeks, Mal remained critical, with a greater chance of dying than pulling through. He eventually tested negative for Covid-19 but was profoundly weak. Doctors began weaning him off the ventilator, and after a tracheotomy, he slowly regained consciousness. The first FaceTime call was horrific, but later Mal mouthed, 'I love you, I want to come home'.
Progress was agonisingly slow. Mal's muscles had wasted away, but gradually he built strength to wiggle his finger, wave, and lift his arm. When he spoke through a speech valve, Sue initially thought it was a nurse, but it was Mal saying, 'Hiya, how are you?'
Now, against all odds, Mal is possibly coming home this week. Sue says the public reaction to their story has been incredible, with thousands of messages of support from around the world.
