Sabrina Manning: Long Covid Case Study

Sabrina Manning first came to Uplands Rehabilitation Centre for physical rehabilitation on 4th March 2022, following a COVID-19 induced coma which began on 31st August 2021.

After waking up from her coma in October 2021, Sabrina found herself bed bound due to critical neuropathy. This meant that Sabrina had no movement in her limbs.

Sabrina said: “I tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2020 and unfortunately, I did not test negative for a long time. I did one stint in hospital in July 2021, where I had an antiviral treatment which was meant to help. Whilst I was in hospital, they found that I was suffering from other medical conditions which were contributing factors towards this long covid issue I was having that I could not seem to shift.

“I was initially admitted into Broomfield Hospital to be put on oxygen, but I ended up falling into a coma. I took a downhill turn pretty quickly and was transferred to The Royal London Hospital. Whilst I was there for two days, I was put onto a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) where they kept a close eye on me. Soon after that I was put into another coma. In total, I was in a coma for about five and a half weeks.

“When I woke up I had received a tracheotomy and I couldn't scratch my nose or do anything for myself. Whilst I was there, I learned to feed myself again which was positive, and learnt to move my arms slightly enough so that I could press my mobile phone but that was about it.

“Once I was medically sound, I was transferred back to Broomfield Hospital where I waited to test negative. Whilst there, I had CT scans, MRI’s and X-rays due to hip pain. During this time I had no feeling in my hands and feet. After the investigations were complete, there was not much more that they could do for me, but I couldn't go anywhere else until turning negative.”

Sabrina finally tested negative at the end of January 2022 and, having gained a little bit of movement in her arms, after discussions with the team at Broomfield Hospital, it became clear that her issue was more neurological and so she was referred to Uplands Rehabilitation Centre (URC) for neurological rehabilitation.
Sabrina said: “After researching and looking at the website, it seemed like a great fit for what I needed at that point. I got to know the physio team and the staff on a personal level and I was so pleased to be placed there. During the first meeting I had with Abideen, who is the head physio at Uplands, he had me standing up. I remember him saying to me; ‘You’re going to walk!’, and I laughed and thought ‘no’.

“Before arriving at Uplands, I was told by other professionals that it would be near impossible to achieve where I am today, but we're doing it and I am so thankful to Uplands and their expert team.

“They helped me exercise every day, taking me for walks or participating in a range of activities. Alfie, a therapy assistant at Uplands, was particularly helpful and he would stretch my limbs and take me for walks and kept that up whilst I was there. With his help, I got progressively stronger. In the end, not only with the physios helping to get me moving, but with Alfie’s help and time every day, it finally got me feeling a lot better.”

During her recovery, day to day life at Uplands was varied. Sabrina explained: “I’d have breakfast in bed, get washed and dressed by 9 am. I would then wait for the physio team who would then get me up and exercise me. They would hoist me out into the chair in the beginning until things got progressively better. They always did regular checks on me, they were really good.”

Sabrina believes the staff at Uplands were crucial to her rehabilitation recovery journey: “They were really good! Even during busy periods, they always made sure to check in and ensure I was OK. They would always lend an ear and make jokes, which made my time there that bit more enjoyable. They settled all my worries and on a lot of occasions they went above and beyond. Leanne, one of the nurses, even dyed my hair to make me feel a little brighter and help me feel better to go home.

“If I’d been sent home without the further care I received at Uplands, I wouldn’t be sitting in the living room enjoying time with my children like I can now.”

Now living back at home, Sabrina is happy with where she is and striving to get better every day. Looking ahead to the future, Sabrina is looking to continue physio at home and strongly believes that thanks to Uplands, she is finally at a point where she could confidently live independently again.