Joke Lawal's story

Joke Lawal, Liver Transplant Coordinator

“COVID-19 has had a huge impact on me – both professionally and personally. Working in the liver transplant team during the pandemic has been tough. The pressures COVID-19 put on our ITU beds meant we were unable to deliver as many transplants as we would have liked, which meant some of our patients had to receive their transplants elsewhere and were then repatriated to us for follow-up care.

“It was hard not being able to support these patients in the way we would have liked, but we were also very aware of how vulnerable they were and how prevalent COVID-19 was in our city, and of course in our hospital. For a time it felt like the service had ceased to exist and some colleagues were redeployed to support COVID-19 efforts in ITU. It was a depressing time for many of us working in the service.

“Last Christmas I began to experience the devastating and debilitating effect of the virus first-hand. On Christmas Eve I tested positive on a lateral flow test. This was confirmed on a PCR and in the days that followed I went downhill rapidly. At one point I really thought I would not survive. I called 999 and was brought into the Queen Elizabeth Hospital via Ambulance. I was admitted to ward 518 and given a high flow of oxygen and steroids. After about a week I started to turn a corner, but it was a really frightening time. It took me around three months to recover at home after being discharged and I still feel some of the effects – some days I struggle with lethargy and get very out of breath.

“I’m nearly 60 and have type 2 diabetes, but I am also very active and look after myself. After having the experience I had and working with vulnerable patients, I’ve persuaded many of my friends, colleagues, fellow churchgoers and others in my community to get vaccinated. I use my voice as much as I can and I share what I went through to try and encourage those who are sceptical of the COVID-19 vaccine to have it. I tell them ‘if you’d been through what I went through you wouldn’t think twice’. When I had my vaccine I took pictures of me having it and shared them with everyone I know in the hope that they might get it too. I know I can’t change the world, but if I’ve persuaded even a few people around me to get the vaccine, I can sleep a little easier.”

“I couldn’t have got through my own experience of COVID, or the last 18 months in fact, without the love and support of my husband, my family, my church family, my community, and my colleagues. I was able to lean on them and they gave me strength when I needed it the most.

“As a Trust, I think we should remind ourselves how well we dealt with what was thrown at us, how passionately we cared for and continue to care for our patients, and how sticking together as a team and supporting one another is the reason most of us are still here.’’