It is a heartwarming moment as David Avila Mellado, a 69-year-old granddad, is finally discharged from Westmead Hospital after a grueling battle with Covid that lasted over a year. The dedicated staff at the hospital clapped and cheered as David walked out on September 1, marking the end of his 399-day stay.

Expressing his gratitude, David said, “Thank you to everybody working here who helped heal me a lot. I feel like this is my family in the hospital.” The hospital had become his home, and the people who cared for him had become like family.

David’s medical journey began in July of last year when he was admitted to the Sydney hospital. He spent weeks in the intensive care unit before being transferred to a respiratory observation unit in September. His long road to recovery involved physiotherapy and speech pathology treatments, along with the support and care of the hospital staff.

A New Chapter of Rehabilitation

After more than a year of relying on a tracheostomy tube to breathe, David had it successfully removed on August 10 of this year. With this significant milestone achieved, he is now ready to begin his rehabilitation outside of the hospital.

For David, leaving the hospital was bittersweet. He spoke fondly of the relationships he had formed with the staff, saying, “I have in my heart everybody I remember. When I do exercise in the corridor, I know everyone, everyone they say hello to me. I feel happy because I don’t remember many people, but they know me.”

Trudy Darling, the unit manager of the Westmead respiratory observation nurse team, expressed how much David’s friendly nature will be missed. She said, “All the staff felt he was very much part of our family, and we loved caring for him. We wish David and his family all the best.”

David’s story is one of resilience and the power of human connection. As he embarks on his new chapter of recovery, his journey serves as a reminder of the incredible strength and determination within us all.