Messages of support have flooded in for an Alder Hey nurse who is currently in a coma after catching the flu.
Kate Thomas, from Aigburth, began feeling poorly around two weeks ago with a cough and cold symptoms. The 33-year-old's mum, Alison Thomas, 56, said these symptoms eased after a week, however got worse again last week.
The nurse was take to Arrowe Park Hospital and was moved to intensive care. A heart scan revealed the flu had attacked her heart, so Kate was put into a coma and transferred to heart specialists at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.
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Kate has been in the coma since Friday (December 2) and remains in a critical condition. She underwent emergency open-heart surgery on Saturday and doctors are waiting to see if she has responded to it.
Since the ECHO shared Kate's story, hundreds of messages of support have flooded in for the 33-year-old. Writing on the ECHO's Facebook page Gemma Louise Willcox said: "Wishing you a speedy recovery Kate, thinking of her family and friends whilst she’s fighting."
Christel Jones added: "How sad such a young beautiful lady and that happening to her. Hopefully she will make a full recovery. She is in good caring hands."
Karen Graham also said: "Keep fighting young Katie, sending love, strength and prayers to you and your loved ones."
Janice Myers said: "Come on Katie. You got this girl!! Our gorgeous, strong friend!! Get well soon beautiful!! Love from Janice in work."
Kathy Hurst added: "One of our best, you got this Katie. All your friends send their love."
Kate's parents were told their daughter's heart failure was caused by the flu that went to her heart. They are, however, waiting for the results of a biopsy to see if she has been affected by any other conditions.
Mum Alison praised the work of the healthcare staff who have cared for Kate, describing them as "brilliant" but she also said that what has happened to Kate could happen to anyone.
She said: "The Wythenshawe hospital have got us a bungalow to stay in on site so we can be with Kate. They’ve been so good, the nurses, doctors and surgeons have been amazing.
"But it does tell people that this could happen to anyone, Kate is a theatre nurse at Alder Hey, she works so hard and this happened to her. It doesn’t happen to her.
"She’s a fit and healthy 33-year-old, you wouldn’t think something like this would happen to her. She loves her job, she’s there all the time, she takes all the overtime possible. Her bosses rang to say that everyone is in shock, everyone can’t believe it.
"She was always working, she loved her job. It’s a shock to everyone, it’s taken everyone by surprise - for this to happen from having the flu."
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