TEESSIDE transporter truck driver has thanked nurses and doctors after saving his life in battle against Covid-19.

Anthony Seery, 58, from Billingham began to feel unwell and was rushed into the Urgent and Emergency Care Department in the University Hospital of North Tees.

Doctors looking after him made the decision to place him in a medically induced coma to give him the best chance of fighting the disease.

His wife was unable to visit him in hospital due to the nature of the Covid-19 restrictions, she ultimately went five weeks without seeing her husband.

Anthony said: "Through sheer grit and determination, I feel like I have defied the odds. For me it was never a question of if I would get out of North Tees, but when. I don’t remember much of my time in hospital, but from what I do remember, I owe my life to each and every one of the doctors and nurses who looked after me. Following my coma, they removed the tracheal tube and I tried so hard to speak but I couldn’t use my voice. I was shocked when I heard myself respond to one of the nurses for the first time. I’ve since read about people needing speech therapy after spending time on a ventilator – I can talk for England, so there was no chance of me needing that.

"The real difficulty I faced was learning to use my legs again – you lose your muscle mass rapidly when you spend extended periods of time in intensive care. The physio team who supported me have been absolutely incredible – they even ring me now when I’m at home to see if I need anything. I have been working really hard on rehabilitation, and I can now walk around the house unaided which doesn’t sound like a lot but it is a huge achievement in such a short space of time.

"The next step is to go for a walk outside, something that I am now allowed to do, both medically and physically. I’m determined to build my muscles back up, and eventually to get back to work. I absolutely love my job, and I think having that to look forward to has probably helped get me to where I am today. Of course, my doting wife, two sons, two step-sons, one step-daughter and eight grand-children are also a huge incentive. I can’t wait until all this is over so I can give them a big squeeze. I am also really looking forward to being able to taste toast again. One of the awful side effects of this illness is the loss of taste, and sadly for me, some of my favourite foods are currently off the menu."