A SPORTING coach says he feared he could die alone and miles from home as he battled influenza, kidney failure, sepsis and hepatitis in a South American hospital.
Craig Webb also struggled to speak to his family from the hospital bed, in Panama, where he lay as he battled the illnesses.
The 31-year-old, from Rayleigh, had been teaching yoga at a hostel when he became ill and was admitted to Hospital Chiriqui, in Panama.
He said: “There was a few times when I had big bags under my eyes and my skin was yellow and I thought I wasn’t going to make it.
“It was very difficult to speak to my mum and I was so scared of getting sepsis. Only the top doctors spoke English so there were a few issues with the Spanish speaking nurse – but they did a great job.
“My family was very scared and my mum wanted to book a flight and come to see me. It was really difficult for everyone and I tried to limited phone calls as I kept breaking down.
“I started to feel ill and thought it was the flu but couldn’t shake it off. There were a lot of complications in hospital and my liver didn’t recover well.
“They told me I may need dialysis and I was worried about that and think I shocked my body into recovering faster.”
The rugby coach spent time in hospital in Southend after returning home in January.
His family launched a fundraising effort and raised £2,420 raised of their £3,500 target. Mr Webb said the family reunion was so emotional.
He added: “It was very emotional when I came home and I was exhausted but feeling relieved to be in an English hospital. The fundraising was incredible.
“I couldn’t believe the amount of people that I didn’t know helping out. I feel so grateful and very lucky my brother was able to financially help me out.
“I’ve still being working abroad coaching sports and feel there’s unfinished business in Panama.”
Stay Safe!!
Did this guy have Covid or what? Very unclear. Did the hospital treat him poorly? What is the point of the article?