Family of Yorkshire nurse ‘elated’ she is recovering after three weeks on a ventilator

Rebecca Usher, 38, started feeling ill on April 4 as she was on shift at Dewsbury District Hospital, in West Yorkshire – where she had worked in her “dream job” for 20 years.

She was admitted to hospital on her birthday, three days later, as she was diagnosed with Covid-19, pneumonia and sepsis and placed on a ventilator in an induced coma.

“The news was absolutely devastating for her family and friends,” her relatives have said on a GoFundMe page set up so she can treat her six-year-old daughter to a holiday when she feels better.

The family said: “The next few days brought even more bad news. She began to suffer from multi organ failure, her kidneys had begun to fail and she was placed on dialysis.

“Rebecca was critical.

“The days that followed were unbearable for all those that loved her, especially as no one could be by her side.”

They said that there was a “glimmer of hope” when her kidneys began to return to normal and she required less oxygen but they suffered another blow when the heart condition Miss Usher had developed in her early twenties caused major complications.

The family said: “The doctors and nurses were fantastic, they never gave up on her.

“Rebecca was on the ventilator in an induced coma for three weeks.

“She fought all the way and she never gave up. She knew she had her little six- year-old daughter to fight for.”

They said their “strong, stubborn and determined Becky defied all odds and made it through”.

The family said: “No amount of thank yous are enough for the amazing staff that saved her life.

“Her family, friends and hundreds of her supporters are elated, relieved and thankful that Rebecca is now awake and on the road to recovery.”

They said: “She is a popular nurse and is adored by so many of her colleagues and friends that she has made along the way.”