When author Michael Rosen was presented with a fresh version of a nurses’ diary from when he was in a coma, he became upset.
The renowned children’s author, 77, who wrote classics such as We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, developed Covid-19 in March 2020 and was placed in an induced coma for eight weeks.
After being informed he only had a 50/50 chance of survival, Michael suddenly awoke after hearing a tape of his children and recovered.
On The Repair Shop’s NHS Special on Wednesday night, he disclosed that he had kept a nurses’ journal of his time in the coma, in which whomever was caring for him wrote him notes on how he was doing each day.
‘You spent your birthday with us today, I wished you your rapid recovery,’ wrote nurse Wincy.
‘I cannot wait for the day you go home with your family. You take good care Michael, it’s been a privilege to look after you. May you continue to inspire everyone you meet.’
The diaries, which the author had read several times, were beginning to break apart – and the writer expressed regret that “it may all fall apart,” appealing for assistance in making them stronger.
Michael also had some get well soon cards sent to him by youngsters while he was in his coma, which he hoped the Repair Shop professionals could ‘bind together’ so he could ‘live with them.’
Michael afterwards became noticeably distressed when seen the completed video, exclaiming, ‘my my gosh, my dear.’
‘It’s just wonderful,’ he said, describing it as ‘amazing.’
While in his coma, he read another letter from a youngster facing cancer, becoming teary-eyed and subsequently needing to massage his face as he admitted to being ‘overwhelmed.’
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he was consoled by his daughter, who shared his gratitude to the ‘amazing’ NHS for saving his life and the lives of many others since its foundation 75 years ago.
He stated that he intended to show the freshly repaired scrapbook and diaries to Whittington Hospital, which saved his life.
The scrapbook of children’s messages was embellished with a rainbow and coated in NHS blue, evocative of the children’s paintings of appreciation to the NHS throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.
Earlier in the episode, the Children’s Laureate paid respect to all those who served in the NHS during the epidemic, noting: ‘Some of them died. We have to remember that.
‘Some of them nurses and helpers died. These people saved my life.’
His experience inspired his current endeavour, the book Getting Better, which covers not only his recovery from this significant health concern, but also the impact trauma and bereavement have had in his life, including the loss of his 18-year-old son Eddie from meningitis in 1999.
The Repair Shop airs Wednesdays at 8pm on BBC One
