Thank you, Whitby Hospital, says 84 year-old coronavirus survivor

Wendy was admitted to hospital at the beginning of April after she began to feel unwell. She was taken by ambulance to James Cook where they found that she had pneumonia and an infection in her blood.

Further tests revealed that she also had Coronavirus. Wendy said: “I was very poorly when I was in James Cook and they were absolutely brilliant. They’ve got a fantastic team.

“I had a blood infection and they made some antibiotics to kill the bug upsetting my blood.

“I was in a ward on my own for two weeks and at one stage the doctor said to me “We’re losing you Wendy, we’ve sent for your family.

“But I got over it.

“One of the nurses said my family was the first family to visit, that I was the first patient to have someone brought in, we were allowed 20 minutes, it made a big difference.

“One of the doctors at James Cook, a brilliant man, set up Skype so that patients and family could talk to each other so they’ll feel like they have had visitors. They got hold of my friends and we spoke over skype and it was brilliant.

“It goes well above and beyond their duties.

“I want to tell people not to be scared. The newspapers have you terrified,, but I want to let people know you can beat it. I’ve seen ladies well over 80 walk out of the ward cured.”

Wendy moved to Fryup in 1959 and worked at the Youth Hostel there for 30 years. She moved out last October and bought a cottage in Danby with her daughter-in-law on one side and her grandson on the other.

She has six children and six great grandchildren, all of which live in the Whitby area.

After three weeks in James Cook, Wendy was transferred to Whitby Hospital where she has continued to make her recovery. She said: “Whitby is a lovely clean hospital and credit to the chefs the food is good. It’s a jewel in the crown is this little hospital.

“It’s absolutely spotless and they’re taking every precaution they can. I can’t fault it, I couldn’t if I tried.

“I’m on my own in the ward, it’s nice and quiet. Since I’ve come here I’ve come on in leaps and bounds and every day I feel so much better.

“I just love their hand made soups and everything. It's a pleasure to be here, but I’ll be glad to be home.”

“The nurses and doctors are brilliant and so are the cleaning staff who put themselves at risk just as much as the nurses.”

“Please just let them know that we’re all grateful for what they’re doing.”

Wendy left hospital last Friday (May 1) and since then has been staying with son, David Hodgson at his home in Dunsdale. She’s been recuperating in the garden, relaxing and taking cuttings.

David said: “We’re all very glad to have her home, it was a very worrying time.

“I know she’s better because she’s started arguing with me again.

“You’ve heard of the unsinkable Molly Brown, well, we’ve started calling her the unsinkable Wendy Hodgson.”

“When it’s over we all want to have a celebration. We know that if we keep our distance now, we’ll all be there to have that party.”

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