A West End solicitor says he owes his life to the NHS after being struck down by suspected coronavirus.
Nicholas Scullion, 43, spent nine days in isolation at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
He developed complications after the virus passed into his gut which prevented him from being tested for Covid-19.
But his symptoms were typical of the new illness - extreme tiredness, fever, shortness of breath and severe headaches.
Now recovering at home in Dowanhill, Nicholas, a director at West End-based practice Scullion LAW, and colleagues have raised nearly £300 to support a local appeal that is supplying protective visors to NHS staff and healthcare workers.
The money will also help protect staff at Marie Curie, a charity the law firm has worked with for many years.
Nicholas, who had no pre-existing health issues, said: “I began to feel unwell on the night of Tuesday 17 March.
'Totally exhausted'
“I felt very tired, achy, had a fever, shivers, terrible headaches, aversion to light and severe gastrointestinal problems.
“My body felt like I’d been run over by a bus. I just could not rest and became delirious.
“I was totally exhausted and spent five days in bed cared for by my husband, Antonio.
“By the Monday, I was given telephone advice by NHS 24 who arranged for my doctor to come from Northcote Surgery in the West End, and he visited me at home.
“He was brilliant and arranged for me to go to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital that morning.
“I was really lucky because the hospital was open to emergency cases only, so I received immediate kindness and care.”
Nicholas says the attention and treatment he received from the doctors and nurses was “humbling”.
He said being in hospital during lockdown, without direct contact with friends and family, was really tough.
“Thanks to video calls on my mobile, I never felt too disconnected from family,” he said.
'I was really lucky because the hospital was open to emergency cases only, so I received immediate kindness and care'Nicholas Scullion
“As I watched the news, it seemed that the entire world was closing down, it was surreal.
“I was really surprised by the difficulty staff at the hospital experienced trying to get tests for Covid-19.
“At that time, there was a high percentage of staff who were not able to come to work as they had to self-isolate.
“Had tests been available, perhaps they would have been able to continue caring for others.
“I was humbled by the care I received in hospital and am really happy to say that I have been home now for over a week and am getting stronger every day.”
Nicholas said his experience had given him a new appreciation of life.
He said: “It is the small things that count.
“I am now making the most of each day and enjoying quality time with my husband, video calls with colleagues and weekly catch ups on zoom with my family.
“I am enjoying my daily walks and the warmth of sunshine on my face.”
Nicholas and his team are supporting the efforts of Kelvinside Academy and its partners who have raised more than £60,000 for badly-needed personal protective equipment (PPE).
“We wanted to donate to the PPE appeal to help the people on the frontline including the NHS and Marie Curie hospice to ensure they are all protected.
'I am now making the most of each day and enjoying quality time with my husband, video calls with colleagues and weekly catch ups on zoom with my family.'I am enjoying my daily walks and the warmth of sunshine on my face'
Nicholas Scullion
“At the end of the day, we are really fortunate to have such kind and caring people working on the frontline especially the NHS as they really do wonderful things every single day.
“I cannot thank the NHS enough’.
Diana McLeish, head of marketing at Scullion LAW, said: “We are so happy that Nicholas continues to make a full recovery.
“I would also like to thank the NHS on behalf of our family for everything they have done to support him and others during these uncertain times.
'Kindness'
"I recently ran the 5k around the Botanics and donated £5 to help our heroes as my little contribution and our wider team have pulled together to donate what we can and we hope that some of the money can also go towards providing hand sanitiser and PPE equipment to people on the front line, in the NHS and to nurses at the Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow.
“Small acts of kindness go a long way and they need our help now more than ever.”
David Miller, director of the Innovation School at Kelvinside Academy, thanked Scullion LAW for their donation towards the emergency PPE appeal.
* The law firm runs a free annual wills campaign in aid of Marie Curie. Contact: info@scullionlaw.com or call ? 0141 374 2121
