Tarentaal Retirement Village residents Martin and Sandra Colombick contracted Covid-19 at the end of 2020.
“They were very ill and, according to their doctor, their story is close to a miracle,” said Rand Aid social worker Ulricka Beukman. It all started on the last day of 2020. Sandra and her husband were diagnosed with Covid-19.
“After seven long weeks, in Linksfield Clinic and at Ron Smith Care Centre, and the blessings and prayers of family and friends, we are, at last, home safe, almost well and extremely blessed,” said Sandra.
She said the one good thing about going through the Covid experience was that both she and her husband were in it together, fighting their own Covid war. “The human inner strength goes beyond limits. It encompasses all that is. While I was in ICU, I could not fight this war anymore. All I remember is saying to the doctors and frontline workers they must leave me be and let me go.
ALSO READ: Edenglen Primary School learner claims puzzle prize
“They did not and while, at the time, I thought they were being cruel, they pushed and shoved and this motivated me to write down these feelings in ICU.” Sandra said when she wrote her feelings down she used her inner strength positively and prayed as she had never prayed before.
“It was then that the doctors brought me back to the general Covid ward where my husband was. “He was desperately ill and yet once my bed was placed next to his, life started to happen.”
She said their health took a turn for the better and they started their path to recovery.
“I had time to think of our family and friends and, of course, the residents here hoping that everyone would adhere to the Covid-19 prevention protocols, like the wearing of masks, washing hands and social distancing. “Believe me, one does not want to go through the anxiety and symptoms of Covid.”
Sandra said the love and care the couple experienced during this time gave them much to be thankful for. “Thank you to all who prayed and sent heart-warming messages to us. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”
Below is what Sandra wrote while she was in ICU:
The lifesavers. Big ones, small ones, all so different yet the same,
Calling, helping, saying my name.
Darkness, light, never bright.
In bed, in ICU there is no light.
Please let me go so no more hell,
No, they say, it’s not for us to tell.
It’s for you the patient to fight this thing,
you will come back strong, let the life
bell ring.
Also follow us on:
