East Kilbride: Covid-19 patient wakes from coma to discover he’s going to be a grandfather

A Covid-19 patient who spent two months in an induced coma on a ventilator woke up to the news that he is going to be a grandfather.

Brian Fernie is recovering in a ward at University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride after spending 67 days in intensive care battling coranavirus – 61 of them in a coma.

The experience so shook the 46-year-old from Cambuslang that he is now planning to marry his partner of 22 years.

Undated handout photo of Brian Fernie who spent two months in an induced coma on a ventilator as he battled coronavirus. Photo credit : NHS Lanarkshire/PA Wire

Mr Fernie, who has mild asthma, was fit and healthy before catching the virus in November.

After being taken to hospital he lost four stone while in an ICU.

“When I woke up I couldn’t even lift a finger,” he said.

His recovery was aided by the surprise news that his daughter Brooke, 20, was pregnant and due to give birth in May.

“Brooke was going to tell me she was pregnant but she didn’t get a chance before I fell ill,” he said.

“So she surprised me by sending me a card with the baby scan after I was moved out of ICU.

“I opened it while I was on a video call with the family, so they could see how delighted I was when I found out.”

Mr Fernie and his partner Lisa McCutcheon – who have another daughter, Ellie, 16 – have talked about tying the knot for a long time, but Brian’s experience has convinced them there is no point waiting.

“We’ve booked Gretna Green for early June,” he said. “If Covid restrictions allow, we’ll marry there and head off to Thailand for our honeymoon.”

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