BARRIE - While Edwin Ng isn't out of the woods yet, the personal support worker (PSW) from Roberta Place underwent a successful double lung transplant on Sunday, his family says.
The 48-year-old PSW became sick on Saturday, Jan. 16 from the COVID-19 virus that eventually claimed the lives of 71 people in 41 days at the long-term care home in south-end Barrie. Since then, he has been fighting for his life.
In a social media post on Friday, Samantha Ng said her husband was “accepted for a double lung transplant." She had signed the consent forms and he was placed on the priority list.
The father of three and grandfather of two was originally at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) and moved to the intensive care unit where he was placed on a ventilator. He was then transferred to Toronto General Hospital where he has been on ventilator and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
On Sunday afternoon, Samantha made a post letting everyone know that Edwin was headed in for a double lung transplant.
Late Sunday night, Samantha shared the news on social media that Edwin had been taken off the ECMO after 84 days “after a very successful double lung transplant.”
Joey Ng, who is Edwin and Samantha’s 25-year-old son, said Sunday night was a worrisome one as the family waited through the seven-hour surgery for what they hoped was good news.
“We were all so happy that it was a success and that his body accepted the lungs,” Joey told BarrieToday on Monday. “Now we wait and see to make sure there is no fluid leakage or clots. It was a success last night, but (it's) a long road ahead.”
Edwin will rest for a week or two and get ready for three or four months of rehabilitation, Joey said.
“He needs to get his breathing exercises and work the lungs, as well he needs to learn to walk again as he has been in bed for so long,” he added. “Rehab will be long, but he’s made it this far so we know he’ll keep fighting.”
Joey also hears people who claim the virus isn’t what people say it is and says he isn’t mad, but rather he feels sorry for them.
“It's more frustrating than anything else and you can’t change their minds,” he said. “I actually feel bad for those people who don’t take it seriously and, unfortunately, it will take it happening to them or someone they love to see it.”
Joey said his mom goes down to the hospital as often as she can to be close to Edwin, but Joey admits he stays home with his wife and kids and keeps them comforted. Last week was a rough one for Joey and his wife as they both contracted the virus and spent a day in the hospital themselves.
“We’re OK, but I had a hard time breathing and my oxygen was a little low, so we got in to get evaluated,” he said. “We’re healing up now, but it really takes a toll on you.”
A GoFundMe page for the Ng family was started on Jan. 23 and has since raised more than $40,000.
The Roberta Place outbreak was declared on Jan. 8 and was officially over on Feb. 18. Among the dead were 67 confirmed resident deaths, three considered probable, and one death of an essential caregiver who was associated with the facility.
In February, Samantha told BarrieToday that her husband kept Roberta Place residents top of mind as he was going through his own struggles.
“Even when Edwin was at the hospital, before being sedated he was still asking about the residents at Roberta Place and other staff," she said. "He kept on saying that he wishes he’d be better already so he could go to work and take care of them. He even said now he knows how some of his residents felt being bedridden and so sick and that he would make sure once he was back at work to be more gentle with them and give them the extra care and love.
"I know and have faith that he will get through this," Samantha also said at that time.
Back in January, one of Edwin's colleagues who started the GoFundMe called him "truly is a gift from God."
“I’ve been nursing for 10 to 15 years in geriatrics and with everyone I’ve ever met, there is something very special about Edwin,” said Sanja Goldie, who is a registered practical nurse (RPN). “He is always so happy and so upbeat on the job. He brings everyone up in spirits.”
