Nurse returns to job after 222-day long battle against COVID-19

By Ferdi Uzun

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - A nurse in Turkey’s Aegean province Aydin returned to her job after winning a 222-day long battle against the coronavirus.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Zuleyha Urhan, a nurse at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Aydin State Hospital, said she tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 14, 2020 and was admitted to intensive care unit the same day.

After spending 10 days at the ICU, Urhan, who has an experience of 28 years as a nurse, then started to receive regular care at the hospital for a month, she said, adding she had to live with oxygen support at home for five months.

After struggling with the disease for 222 days, she recovered and returned to her job on June 24.

Urhan said she tried to keep her spirit up during the recovery period despite challenges such as shortness of breath and weakness.

“In the first days of the pandemic, we saw that people abroad were falling on the ground in the middle of a road. They couldn’t stand up. I experience that as well,” she said.

“I fell on the ground and couldn't get up. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't speak. I wanted to communicate in writing but could not hold a pen or paper. After all these months, I won the battle and returned to my job. I am happy,” she added.

*Writing by Busra Nur Cakmak​​​​​​​