An RAF veteran almost died, twice, and spent two weeks unconscious in hospital after contracting a common strain of flu. Mark Beech, from Rhyl, was rushed to hospital with breathing problems, where doctors called his daughters to his bedside twice.
Mark eventually woke up in hospital a fortnight later. He discovered doctors had fitted a tracheotomy in his throat to help support his breathing, which had left him unable to speak.
Mark was discharged from hospital but says the illness has “obliterated” his life, reports NorthWalesLive. “It was a life-changing experience for me. I don’t think I’ll ever recover from it," Mark said.
"The consultant told me if I hadn’t been so strong and had so much willpower then I wouldn’t be here today.” He added: “I’m very lucky to be here, because I really didn’t realise how serious it was. I lost a month of my life in hospital, and then my way of life when I came out. That’s as simply as I can put it.
“I used to be able to walk on the beach with my daughter and her dog. I can only walk for five or 10 minutes before I need to find somewhere to sit down.
Mark Beech who was admitted to hospital with a severe case of flu (Image: BCUHB)
"I’m out of breath doing anything, and I get very tired. If I go to the supermarket I need to have a trolley to lean on. I need to get a taxi even to go short distances. I haven’t even just walked around the town centre for such a long time – I would just have to keep stopping.”
Mark managed a number of businesses after leaving the RAF before taking on a role advising on health benefits. He now volunteers with a veterans’ charity.
He spent more than four weeks in hospital and now attends regular outpatient appointments for treatment and rehab. “I could have had a flu jab, but I chose not to because I didn’t think I needed one,” Mark said. "Now I would say to anyone – if you don’t have one you could die, it’s a simple as that.
"Anything that will stop people from getting the flu is a good idea. I know it will help with the pressure on the NHS and on NHS staff too. But the bottom line is this will help you to look after yourself and avoid the flu.”
