Son who lost his mother, 48, with rheumatoid arthritis to Covid after the virus ‘ravaged’ her body and caused multi-organ failure reveals he recorded songs so she could ‘hear his voice’ while sedated in her final days
- Kelli McCaw, 48, from Galgorm in County Antrim, passed away on January 12
- Mother-of-one had rheumatoid arthritis but no other underlying heath condition
- Final words to husband Stephen were ‘I love you’ as she went into an ambulance
- Dean hadn’t seen his mother in person since August because he lives in London
A son who lost his mother to Covid-19 has told how he recorded songs for her to listen to while she was sedated in hospital so that she could ‘hear his voice’ in her final days.
Dean McCaw, 24, was unable to visit Kelli McCaw, 48, from Galgorm in County Antrim, after she was admitted to intensive care at Antrim Area Hospital in December.
After rallying a few times, Kelli tragically passed away on January 12. She had rheumatoid arthritis but no other underlying heath conditions, however she deteriorated quickly as the virus ‘ravaged’ her body. People with rheumatoid arthritis are considered to be in the ‘vulnerable’ category for Covid.
Travel blogger Kelli had been unable to have phone calls with her son or husband Stephen due to her sedation, so Dean posted recordings of his songs online so that nursing staff could play them to her.
Dean McCaw, 24, was unable to visit Kelli McCaw, 48, from Galgorm in County Antrim, after she was admitted to intensive care at Antrim Area Hospital in December, so he recorded songs for her to listen to
After rallying a few times, Kelli tragically passed away on January 12. She had rheumatoid arthritis but no other underlying heath conditions
‘We were assured she could hear us,’ Dean told Sky News. ‘I just wanted Mum to hear my voice.’
Her final words to Stephen, as she struggled to walk to an ambulance, were ‘I love you’. That was also the final time that the couple had physical contact.
Widower Stephen described childhood sweetheart Kelli, whom he’d been married to for 26 years, as a ‘an amazing wife, an amazing mother and a very loyal friend’.
Both he and Kelli contracted Covid at the same time, but it hit Kelli’s body harder.
Stephen told how Kelli went from having ‘the standard nose oxygen to the full face mask in 24 hours’ – and 48 hours after that, she was sent to intensive care.
Widower Stephen described childhood sweetheart Kelli, whom he’d been married to for 26 years, as a ‘an amazing wife, an amazing mother and a very loyal friend’
Writing on Facebook, Dean said he and his father take comfort in the fact Kelli is no longer in pain and are thankful for the time they had with her. Pictured recording the songs that nurses played to his mother in ICU
‘Mum didn’t die because her lungs were dodgy – it got into her body and it ravaged it. It was multi-organ failure,’ Dean told ITV.
‘People have this idea that it’s only people with underlying conditions that will be affected, but it’s like Russian roulette. You just don’t know.’
In her final moments, Dean and Stephen were taken to the neighbouring room and allowed a final video call to say goodbye.
Dean, who hadn’t seen his mother in person since August as he lives in London, told how they prayed with her, told her they loved her and shared their favourite memories.
‘I read Psalm 46 to Mum,’ he added. ‘Just as I finished the passage, the doctor said Mum’s heart had stopped so the last thing she heard would have been “be still and know that I am God”.’
In her final moments, Dean and Stephen were taken to the neighbouring room and allowed a final video call to say goodbye
Dean, who hadn’t seen his mother in person since August as he lives in London, told how they prayed with her, told her they loved her and shared their favourite memories in her final moments
Writing on Facebook, Dean said he and his father take comfort in the fact Kelli is no longer in pain and are thankful for the time they had with her.
‘She fought Covid with everything she had, but everything wasn’t quite enough,’ he wrote, alongside a final song he recorded for her.
‘This is not the the outcome we hoped for, and in all honesty I’m really struggling to deal with that. But I don’t want anyone to lose heart or belief, and Mum wouldn’t either.’
He added: ‘Although it really hurts, Dad and I to let her go, she is better off for it. There was a lot of pain in life for Mum and none will follow her.’
WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? THE AGONISING LONG-TERM ILLNESS THAT IS INCURABLE
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects around 400,000 people in the UK
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects around 400,000 people in the UK and nearly 1.3 million adults in the US.
Women are up to three times more likely to develop the condition than men. Those with family history of rheumatoid arthritis are also more vulnerable.
It is a long-term illness in which the immune system causes the body to attack itself, causing painful, swollen and stiff joints.
RA, the second most common form of arthritis that often begins between the ages of 40 and 50, tends to strike the hands, wrists and knees.
Scientists are currently unsure as to the exact cause of RA, but smoking, eating lots of red meat and coffee drinkers are at higher risk.
A cure has yet to be found, but treatments are available and proven to help slow down the progressive condition.
Patients can manage their agonising symptoms with over-the-counter drugs that combat the inflammation, such as aspirin.
But some will need replacement joints to relieve them of their pain. Exercise is recommended as it can help to look after joints.
Source: Read Full Article