Kate Garraway ‘s husband Derek Draper is breathing on his own without the help of a ventilator, it has been confirmed.
Derek has been in hospital since March 30 and was in a coma for months after contracting Covid-19.
Kate, 53, has spoken openly about her husband’s health battle and now she has given fans an update.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the mum-of-two said that Derek’s tracheotomy tube has been removed, and he is now able to breathe without a ventilator.
However, Derek remains in a form of coma called a PDOC (Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness).
Kate Garraway has confirmed her husband Derek Draper is now breathing without a ventilator (Image: Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
Doctors are unsure how much further Derek will recover after being “universally affected” – meaning his lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas have all been hit by the virus.
Kate told the publication: “There’s a flash of his presence, and then he disappears again.
“The emotionally challenging thing is that we’re waiting now to see what happens next; somehow it’s even more agonising now there’s been this breakthrough.
Kate described the ordeal as ’emotionally challenging’ as they wait for progress (Image: ITV)
“We have greater hope now, but also greater fear of him slipping back. There’s no precedent to this virus. Even now no one fully understands it and its long-term effects.
“There is no idea of timescale or any data as to how much he can recover or how long it will take.”
She continued: “But the other significant change is that they’ve been able to remove his tracheotomy tube – which is very positive as it means his lungs have started to work and aren’t solid as they were before. But he still has a long way to go.
Derek has been in hospital since March after contracting Covid-19 (Image: Mirrorpix)
“Had this happened back in May, I’d have been jubilant, but now I know how slow the change is, and how quickly things can slip backwards. I’m trying to keep my hope in check.
“Derek still needs help with his breathing, especially at night, and is very, very weak,” the Good Morning Britain host added.
“He is being given medicine and drugs to keep things functioning. The virus has left him type 1 diabetic – he had no diabetes before.”
Kate also revealed that Derek had uttered his first word in months whilst nurses were moving him, but sadly the word he said was “pain”.
Sobbing Kate had to watch her husband’s body be manipulated by medical staff, 214 days after he was first admitted to hospital.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
