Madam Lee’s Wild Ride Through COVID‑19—And One Life‑Saving Machine
In the wild world of COVID‑19, anything can happen. That’s exactly what happened to 43‑year‑old Madam Lee Sock Lee when a routine rapid antigen test on the morning of September 13 turned into a dramatic roller coaster that could have ended in tragedy—and then, miraculously, didn’t.
The “Glitch” That Set the Stage
After her test came back positive, Madam Lee headed to a Swab & Send Home clinic, ready to pick up a cold‑medicine philosophy. But within the next 24 hours, she found herself slipping in and out of consciousness and racing to the emergency room of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH). Doctors were already whispering “cardio collapse” in the hallway—time was of the essence.
Enter the Life‑Saving Lasso: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
- What it does: Think of ECMO as a heart‑lung robot that takes over bodily functions when your own aren’t doing the job.
- It extracts blood, flushes out CO₂, injects oxygen, and then pumps it back—essentially a lifeline that lets your heart and lungs take a breather.
- In Madam Lee’s case, the machine was dubbed a “first‑of‑its‑kind” in Singapore for heart‑support emergencies, while most patients typically need ECMO for lung support.
She was promptly whisked from NTFGH to the National University Hospital (NUH) on September 14, where she was hooked up to a veno‑arterial ECMO setup—fitting for the catastrophic lung or heart failure that had stirred the emergency.
Co‑star Sidekicks: Remdesivir & Dexamethasone
Alongside the ECMO, Madam Lee received a course of the antiviral remdesivir and a steroid dexamethasone—the duo that’s been championed in fighting severe COVID-19.
Family: The Hidden Casualties
Her household, a six‑member unit comprising husband, four kids (from 3 to 13 years old), and herself, all tested positive. The fever‑induced “burning ladder” they endured turned out to be mild: just a light fever and a few throbbing headaches. The only real super‑hero in this story was the ECMO machine that pulled her back from the brink.
Among the family, the husband had partial vaccination; the eldest son was fully vaccinated. The rest kept their “no‑dose” heads until doctors advised that recovered COVID‑19 patients could get vaccinated in roughly three months.
“My Second Life”—A Powerful Message
On a Thursday (Oct 28), Madam Lee took the mic to share her tale. “This is my second chance,” she told her listeners. “If I had died, my husband would have to care for our four young children alone. For anyone still standing at the vaccination line, there is a risk of side effects, but don’t delay further.” She urged that the benefits of vaccination could spare others from the terror she endured.
Emotional Hook—A “Traumatic” Experience for Your Wife
“Vaccination could potentially save your life,” she added. “You won’t have to go through what I went through and what I put my family through.” Her words hung heavy in the air like a good short‑story climax, reminding you that the fight isn’t just about a virus—it’s about protecting what matters most.
Thanks to the Care Team—and a Ship Named ECMO
Thanks to ECMO and a dedicated medical crew at NUH, Madam Lee completed her four‑day ECMO support, topped up with medications, and was discharged on October 6. She’s a living testament that medical science, a few extra heart‑lung machines, and a pinch of bravery can offer humanity a second shot at life—even when the odds look grim.
html
From Hospital Bed to Home Sweet Home: Madam Lee’s Comeback Story
Picture this: a serious illness that left her heart scarred, a body that had gone through the “reconditioned” test, and a comeback story that’s as inspiring as it is relatable.
What It Feels Like to Tackle Life After a Close Call
When Madam Lee walked back onto the NUH cardiomyopathy clinic carpet in November, she was not just celebrating a recovery; she was gearing up for a new chapter that still involves a bit of labor and a lot of fighter spirit.
- Speech therapy — because the throat didn’t want to cooperate.
- Physiotherapy — to get those muscles talking again.
- Occupational therapy — because even washing a face felt like a marathon.
- And a full-on relearning session for getting her daily chores back on track: from eating to walking to folding laundry.
When the Body Says “Slow Down,” the Mind Reminds You to Keep Going
“I was surprised to learn how serious my case was when I was admitted,” says Madam Lee. She floated through a tough recovery, returning to normalities like sitting in a chair or taking a breath without a thud in her chest.
Her post‑illness life is peppered with exhaustion and shortness of breath, but she’s steadily regaining her strength. Some scarring on her heart tissue still lingers, but it’s a solo finish line she keeps on track.
On the Frontline: A Shout‑Out to the Medical Heroes
Her gratitude doesn’t stop at the doctors and nurses. She says they’ve “taken great care of me,” and she’s thrilled to spend one more nursing roll‑through at NUH’s clinic. Her hope? A world where everyone takes the vaccine to protect themselves and save the hardworking medical teams from extra burden.
“I will advocate for everyone to get vaccinated because being severely ill will just add stress to doctors and nurses who already work long hours for us,” she emphasizes.
So here’s to Madam Lee — who is closer to her best self than her heart ever will be. Her story reminds us that recovery is not just about the body; it’s about the soul, resilience, and a little humor along the way.
Ecmo in Singapore
ECMO: The Final (And Funniest) Lifeline in Singapore
Only two hospitals play the ECMO game: National University Hospital (NUH) and the National Heart Centre (NHC). These places get the courage to pull patients into the life‑saving machine that feels more like a high‑tech, high‑stakes dance than a simple medical treatment.
COVID‑19’s Wild Card: Six Patients, Five Survivors
Since the pandemic’s onset, NUH has dared to put six patients onto the ECMO stage. What’s the verdict? Five of them kicked the crash and walked away alive—a win that proves even the toughest battles can end with a triumphant salute.
Why ECMO Is Not a Quick Fix
ECMO isn’t just another medical gadget; it’s a full operation theatre in a single life support machine. A whole crew is needed to keep one patient’s breathing in check.
- ICU nurses trained like Jedi masters.
- A perfusionist who keeps the blood flow as smooth as a jazz beat.
- Intensive care doctors ready to tackle day‑to‑day surprises.
Prof MacLaren puts it in a nutshell: “It takes a village to nurture one patient.”
How Long Do Patients Stay on ECMO?
According to global studies:
- Lung failure patients average a three‑week stay.
- Heart failure patients enjoy a far shorter stint.
So whether it’s lungs or hearts, ECMO is a powerhouse that may keep patients on the edge of survival for a while.
