An Ayrshire mum-of-four suffered nightmares and flashbacks after medics saved her life while she was heavily pregnant.
Mechelle Smith caught Covid when she was seven months pregnant and was rushed to ICU after she became seriously unwell with pneumonia, pleurisy, blood clots and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The 36-year-old Kilmarnock woman was put on a ventilator and doctors told her she'd need to undergo an emergency caesarean section to save her son's life.
“I was so scared, but some things I remember so vividly," Mechelle said.
"As I was being brought back round after surgery, Dawn, one of the midwives, kept saying my kids’ names over and over to me. She became such an important person to me. She looked after me when I had my son, Billy, and also when we had to be readmitted shortly after he was born.
“The team in ICU saved us both and I will be forever grateful to them for that. After three weeks in the unit, I was on the road to recovery. But my journey to recovery was just beginning.”
After being discharged from hospital, Mechelle suffered from flashbacks, nightmares and paranoia, which affected her mental health.
The grateful mum was so protective of her son that she didn't want anyone to touch the newborn.
And so Mechelle was invited to take part in the InS:PIRE programme, which supports those who have spent time in ICU and gives them the tools to move forward with their lives.
InS:PIRE aims to promote recovery in all three aspects (physical, mental and social) through a combination of medical, nursing, physiotherapy, psychological, pharmacy and social support.
Mechelle added: “I really struggled with my mental health after being discharged, and I became so protective of my son, that I didn’t want anyone to touch him.
“In June 2021, I was invited to my first InS:PIRE meeting. It was the first time that I felt I could breathe. There were other people there who had experienced what I had and knew how I felt. Over time I realised that everything I was feeling was completely normal for anyone who has been in ICU.
“The after-care I received from InS:PIRE has been absolutely phenomenal. The team genuinely care about you, and I would not be where I am today without them."
Now Mechelle has raised £4,000 for the very programme that helped her on the road to recovery.
“Thanks to the ICU team I am alive, and I have a healthy son and I am so eternally grateful," Mechelle said.
"I wanted to do something for the unit and was inspired to climb Goatfell. I also held a race night and managed to raise £4,000 for the unit. I am so proud to give them this donation. I hope my journey inspires and gives others hope following on from a stay in ICU.”
Peter O’Brien, consultant anaesthetist and critical care added: “After a stay in ICU, patients and their families can experience physical, psychological and social issues.
"The InS:PIRE programme provides the stepping stones to allow patients and their families to maximise their recovery.
“It is so fantastic to see Mechelle doing so well. Her amazing donation will go towards expanding the service, so that more patients can benefit from the programme. On behalf of the InS:PIRE team, I’d like to thank Mechelle and with her well for the future.”
For more information on the InS:PIRE programme, visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/services-a-to-z-support-pages/life-after-icu-inspire/
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