A New Zealand father has woken up from a medically induced coma after battling the same deadly virus that claimed his wife’s life a month earlier.
John Leonard contracted influenza A shortly after his wife, Maria Packe-Leonard, 53, died on July 21, just ten days after the initial symptoms developed.
The registered nurse and mother of two was admitted to hospital on July 20 but was discharged the same day before her condition rapidly deteriorated and she succumbed to the virus hours later.
Mr Leonard was flown from Wellington to Auckland for specialist care and surgery after the virus ravaged his lungs and he nearly died several times.
He remains in intensive care, but has begun communicating with his young sons: Jed, 15, and Sam, 14.
Ms. Packe-Leonard’s brother recently launched a Give a little bit Campaign to support the family and share regular updates.
“John is a fighter, no doubt, having come back from very close to death on several occasions,” the latest update on Tuesday reads.
‘He’s currently still in ICU, so he’s still very sick, but he’s getting better.
John Leonard (left) began suffering from influenza A shortly after his wife Maria Packe-Leonard (right) died on July 21.
Mr Leonard (pictured with his wife and children) remains in intensive care but is able to communicate with his teenage children.
“We have to limit visitors so he can rest, but he can read your kind words of support on his phone.”
Since awakening from a coma a fortnight ago, Mr Leonard has been taken off his ventilator and transferred back to Wellington where he remains in intensive care.
More than $76,000 has been raised to support the family.
The profits will go towards covering living expenses.
“The donations have been greatly appreciated, as have your kind words. John will be out of work for a while while he recovers,” Packe added.
He revealed that his brother-in-law started making jokes with his children as soon as he woke up from the coma.
“The first thing he said to the guys was ‘I have a square butt,'” Packe said. New Zealand Herald.
The family has decided to postpone Mrs Packe-Leonard’s funeral until her husband is well enough to attend. Pictured here is Mr Leonard with his family.
It is not known how long Mr Leonard (pictured with his two children) will remain in hospital.
The family has delayed Ms Packe-Leonard’s funeral until her husband is well enough to attend.
It is not yet known how long he will remain hospitalized.
“At times it looked like it wasn’t going to work out that way, but now it looks like he’s going to pull through and we’ll be able to have a funeral with him there and with him being part of the planning, which will be very special,” Packe said.
She added that her nephews are doing well, despite almost losing their father while they mourn the death of their mother.