A New Zealand father is now out of a medically induced coma and recovering from a deadly flu that killed his wife.
John Leonard had a long struggle to recover when his health began deteriorating soon after Maria Packe-Leonard’s death on July 21.
Maria, 53, died 10 days after first exhibiting symptoms of influenza A, according to the New Zealand Herald.
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When John also fell ill, it caused complications in his lungs and he was flown from Wellington to Auckland for specialist care.
While he remains in intensive care, John has now been able to communicate with the couple’s two sons — Jed, 15, and Sam, 14.
Darrell Packe previously said his sister Maria, a registered nurse, first began feeling sick and was coughing a lot about July 11.
Her lungs were also badly affected by the illness, he said.
Maria took herself to Hutt Hospital on July 20 but was later discharged.
Her health deteriorated the next day and she died.
John has battled the illness for weeks, requiring specialist equipment to assist his lungs.
“He came close to death on a number of occasions so to have him back and able to communicate is very, very special for everyone involved and especially his boys,” Packe told the Herald.
The family has delayed a funeral for Maria, wanting John to be there.
“At times it didn’t seem like it might work out that way but it looks now like he’s going to recover and we can have a funeral with him there and with him being part of the planning, which will be very special,” Packe said.
John is still in recovery in the ICU, with the family unsure when he will be able to go home.
A givealittle campaign is raising funds for the family to help them through this time.
