Captain Tom

[ssd]

I know this is a really self indulgent post. So sorry in advance.
I'm worried about captain Tom. I know its ridiculous, I dont know him. Maybe because hes just a bit older than my dad would have been.
But I feel if he dies with coronavirus , it'll be the final straw for me. Hes been the only bright light in this.
If he doesn't recover I think I'll sink.

From what I gather, he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia but tested positive for Covid whilst there.
Every death is sad but not all are a tragedy. He is 100, lived a full and rich life. It wont be cut short by any means.
If he does die, I do think the media will milk this to scare the public about Covid for all that its worth.

He is very elderly and covid is a nasty bugger.
It took my 98 year old dad back in May.
I hope he'll be ok of course. You never know.

I'm guessing if his family are with him (as the BBC are reporting) then he must be very poorly.

He isn't going to be ok, his family are with him, that generally means end of life. He has had a good, long life though, and did a fabulous thing for the NHS

@Crunchymum

I'm guessing if his family are with him (as the BBC are reporting) then he must be very poorly.

Yes. It doesn't sound good :( He did so much good last year and seems a nice down to earth man.

It will be sad but you have to think that he appears to have lived a full and happy life. How many live to 100 and become a celebrity at that age with a song in charts, product launches in their name and freebie holidays?! He has been surrounded by his family in this difficult year whereas many in that age bracket will be in fate homes with no family allowed to visit. Really he has been very lucky and I am sure he would be the first to say that.

care hones*

I can't get upset about someone I don't know in real life, but can see that he's considered a bit of a hero.

I don't think however it was a wise move taking him on a flight to Barbados. I looked at the Twitter account and found it a bit odd. Definitely not written by him, so someone is in the background running the account. Seems a bit strange to set up a Twitter feed for him.

If it wasn’t covid something was more than likely going to take him out this year

[quote starch23]www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55895576[/quote]
I didn’t think anyone was allowed visitors irrespective of whether they are dying are not, has that changed or does it vary from hospital to hospital

'I'm guessing if his family are with him (as the BBC are reporting) then he must be very poorly'

Such a shame they didn't just keep him comfortable at home with symptom control. He was never going to get invasive and extreme treatment.

It would be so sad if he didn’t pull through but at least he’s lived a long life relatively healthily. By that I mean he hasn’t suffered with dementia or been unable to leave his bed or left to fend for himself. It seems like he’s got a loving family & if now is his time, he will be remembered for the great man he seems to be. It’s better to die relatively quickly than suffer. However I really wish him well & hope he makes it home. He’s an inspiration.

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'I'm guessing if his family are with him (as the BBC are reporting) then he must be very poorly'

Such a shame they didn't just keep him comfortable at home with symptom control. He was never going to get invasive and extreme treatment.

I don't think that's something anyone without knowledge of the specific situation can comment on. Hospital admission is personal.

Such a shame they didn't just keep him comfortable at home with symptom control. He was never going to get invasive and extreme treatment.

Not everyone chooses to die at home. I work with people near the end of life and some prefer to die in hospital for a variety of reasons.

'Not everyone chooses to die at home. I work with people near the end of life and some prefer to die in hospital for a variety of reasons'

True. Up to the patient of course.

Honestly he had an amazing year, accomplished so much and had some fun too. He is a stoic character which is what people admire about him, reminding us of that cheerful attitude to doing their bit that many people had during WW2. So if you can take anything from him it is to keep your chin up and stay positive and soldier on.

My dad asked to go into hospital and they agreed. He had some oxygen therapy there which couldn't be administered in the care home. I like to think he died peacefully.

I didn’t think anyone was allowed visitors irrespective of whether they are dying are not, has that changed or does it vary from hospital to hospital

BBC references that the website of the hospital he's in states it allows visitors in "exceptional circumstances" .

It's generally maternity, children, and palliative patients. I expect there is variation. The information for this particular hospital is publicly available.

I feel for his family.

'He had some oxygen therapy there which couldn't be administered in the care home. I like to think he died peacefully.'

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'He had some oxygen therapy there which couldn't be administered in the care home. I like to think he died peacefully.'

Thank you. I miss my old dad! Bless him. I hope Captain Tom isn't suffering too much.

'Thank you. I miss my old dad! Bless him.I hope Captain Tom isn't suffering too much.'

Aw he won't be. The NHS is brilliant and whether he's having active treatment or palliative care he'll be well looked after.

Sorry about your Dad.

the family’s decision to take a 100 year old on an 8 hour flight was never going to end well.

I don't disagree that going away was silly, but why are you assuming it was his family who made the choice?

Most people his age would have preferred to be sat at home in front of the tv with a nice cup of tea.

Oh FFS

There have already been many threads deleted because it's in poor taste to speculate about someone's condition / hospital treatment.

I wish MNHQ could put a sticky up at the top of the forum.