Inverness Covid-19 survivor who was one of the sickest patients in Highlands still battling Long Covid 5 years on
Former care home worker Sarah MacDougall was one of the first patients in the Highlands to survive Covid 19 - but it has had a life-changing impact on her health.
On April 1, 2020 - just one week after a UK-wide lockdown had been imposed - Mrs MacDougall was admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and placed on a life support machine in the intensive care unit (ICU).
She was said to be one of the sickest Highland patients to survive the virus.
Five years on, she is still battling the effects of Long Covid such as mobility issues, tiredness, skin conditions, vitamin deficiency, brain fog and a range of other health problems.
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At her bungalow in Kinmylies, Inverness, where she lives with husband, Harry, the 47-year-old recounts her battle for survival, a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and reflects on the impact it continues to have on her life.
A folder containing cards, letters and newspaper cuttings are a reminder of the grim, dark days when her life hung in the balance.
“Some days are better than others,” said Mrs MacDougall, who supports others with Long Covid in the Highlands and across Scotland and is also a volunteer two mornings a week at the Mackenzie Centre which provides a care service to older people.
“I just get on with it and hold my head up high and be proud of myself.
“I sometimes pinch myself and say I really survived Covid and was really ill.
“My husband Harry thought he would never see me again and when he says that, it is really frightening.”
It was in the early days of the pandemic and the virus was spreading rapidly when Mrs MacDougall - then an assistant cook at Ach-an-Eas care home - went to see her GP.
She was already off work, ill with gall stones but her condition was not improving.
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On the instructions of her GP, she went to Raigmore Hospital not anticipating it would be another 22 days before she would see her husband.
She was admitted to ICU and placed in an induced coma for two weeks.
“It is still etched in my head that the consultant said: ‘The best thing I can do is to put you to sleep.’,” recalled Mrs MacDougall.
“I was petrified of needles. I had real bad phobia.
“The next thing I remember was waking up.”
The turning point was April 8 - the same day as her dad’s 80th birthday - but she was only finally allowed home on April 22 after later being moved to the high dependency unit to continue her recovery.
During that difficult time, her husband and mother could only phone twice a day for updates on her condition.
A treasured hand-written card addressed simply to ‘Sarah’s family’ is moving testament to the care and consideration of ICU staff who were themselves on the front line battling a frightening and unknown virus.
It read: “I know it must be terribly difficult but please know she is not alone.
“We talk with her often and are always happy to pass on messages and your love to her.
“Thinking of you all.”
She left hospital to an emotional reunion with Harry and went home with a walking frame and a box of pills.
On the drive home, she was surprised at the sight of signs advertising petrol at 99p a litre.
“My mum took me out in her car two weeks after I got out just to see the town as I didn’t believe everything was shut,” she recalled.
“It was like, no, it is just a dream I am having. This isn’t happening to me.”
As the extent of the physical damage became apparent, she started to have flashbacks and the reality of what had happened hit home and she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
“I didn’t have much feeling in my foot,” she said.
“Three toes didn’t work. It was so frustrating.”
To this day, she has to use a mobility scooter and can only walk a short distance with a stick.
Although people might remark how well she looks, she says they do not know the reality.
“I was running a house with my husband,” she said.
“I was in full-time employment. I was an assistant cook.
“I was going out to swimming and aquarobics, meeting friends.
“I was going abroad on holiday. We used to go on a cruise once a year and Spain twice a year.
“Now I cannot do that anything like that because the travel insurance is so high.”
Despite her health problems, she is keen to help others with Long Covid and set up a Facebook page, Long Covid Highlanders, as well as being part of a Scotland-wide support network and also gave evidence to the public inquiry into the pandemic.
She felt that Long Covid had slipped off the public agenda and called for it to be recognised as a disability and a life-changing condition.
At the same time, she is grateful to those who have helped her including family and friends, Fairfield Medical Practice, Kinmylies Pharmacy, Midge Mathison and Inverness Leisure as she remains determined to live her life as best she can.
She also said that she was treated like royalty when visiting Raigmore Hospital for appointments.
Mrs MacDougall believed her faith had also played a part in her survival.
When she was very ill, she was included in daily prayers at Inverness Cathedral, where she has been a lifelong worshipper.
Five years on, she reflects: “I still cannot believe I survived from it. I now get on as best I can.”
