Celebrity agent Barry Tomes has described how he 'went to hell and back' after contracting coronavirus which saw him battling for his life.
The 63-year-old, who lives in Rednal, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after he developed pneumonia due to Covid-19.
Mr Tomes, who is now back at his home but still recovering, said he caught the virus following a trip to America and started developing symptoms after returning on March 2.
He developed a temperature and for two weeks his condition gradually deteriorated. At the end of last month he was rushed into hospital after he had a non stop coughing fit for two hours.
He told BirminghamLive: "I had been very ill for three weeks since March 2, the day I returned from the USA. I developed coronavirus symptoms including a very high temperature and I just felt so ill. This went on for a couple of weeks.
"I was finally taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital a week last Saturday when i developed a severe coughing fit. I was placed on a drip and had liquid morphine by mouth twice.
"I was placed on an antibiotic water drip to rehydrate me, they gave me a paracetamol drip. I was given heart tablets to calm my heart.
"I had my temperature taken every 20 mins. My blood pressure was taken every half hour. The chest x-ray revealed I had pneumonia.
"My job is in PR so I am good with words but I tried so hard to think of the words to tell my daughter Tara I was going to die. Had I done enough with my life had I helped enough people.
"I felt guilty I had gone on a 12 hour flight to America I knew something was bad out there but it’s my work. Somehow all the fears I had the previous three weeks didn’t matter I was finally in the hands of professionals.
"I was in overnight when a doctor discussed treatment they had waited for a bed to become available. We discussed the possibility of me being treated at home as I didn’t need to be on oxygen.
"I was happy to give my bed and their care to someone else. I don’t remember much about the first three days back at home just that the darkness started to lift.
"I wasn’t scared of dying but I was scared so much was still left unsaid and to be done. I am still recovering and the doctor's said it will take weeks even months before i have properly recovered. I am still self isolating and will for some time."
And he had a message for people to heed the rules of the government lock down and to stay at home.
He added: "Please please stay at home this weekend everyone. This evil virus gets you mentally and physically but the doctors and nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital were just amazing. They are all angels. I have signed up to be a volunteer for the NHS and when i am well enough to do so i will go and help."
