Wirral mum opens up about desperate battle for breath in fight against Long Covid
Toni Francom has been in and out of hospital since getting the virus in April
Last updated 14th Jan 2021
People across Merseyside suffering the long term effects of Coronavirus are hoping a fresh debate on the subject will shed more light on the debilitating condition.
In the Commons later MP's will discuss 'Long Covid' after it was revealed around 10% of patients are still battling symptoms months after being infected.
It's hoped a new range of clinics - including one in Liverpool - will help speed up treatment.
Toni Francom from the Wirral has been in and out of hospital since getting the virus in April, she said:
"Every couple of weeks I'm coming down with chest infections. We've had more CT scans and X-Rays and we've found both sides of the lungs are damaged and this is why I keep coming down with infections and am struggling to cope.
"It's my children's life that it's affecting and my husband. Even my grandparents and my mum and dad are scared of getting it and giving it to me. Even just a general cold and being unwell; we shouldn't live in this fear but yet we do.
"I am petrified of catching covid again. I'm scared of going into hospitals. I can't even walk up the stairs without being out of breath some days. I can't walk to the toilet without gasping for air. It's so frightening.
I'm just petrified of not being here for my children and my husband. I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to have a normal life again."