Dr Emily Andre explains why Derek Draper speaking after Covid-19 battle is ‘a massive step’ as Kate Garraway’s husband remains in hospital following ‘breakthrough’
Kate Garraway recently recalled how her husband spoke his first word since emerging from a coma following his Covid-19 battle.
And now, Dr Emily Andre, 31, has explained why Derek Draper, 53, speaking is such ‘a massive step’ as he remains in hospital following the ‘breakthrough’ moment.
The healthcare professional highlighted how the ability to speak is ‘very complex’, and uses multiple parts of the brain.
Explaining: Dr Emily Andre, 31, has explained why Derek Draper, 53, speaking after his Covid-19 battle is such ‘a massive step’ as he remains in hospital following the ‘breakthrough’ moment
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 53, fought back tears during a recent installment of GMB as she recalled how husband Derek spoke his first word since emerging from a coma.
Emily – who is married to singer Peter Andre – said in her OK! column: ‘It sounds strange to say but the ability to speak is very complex, using different parts of the brain to process it.
‘It sounds like such a small step but it’s massive and he can now start to tell them how he’s feeling.
‘It sounds like he’s still got some way to go in his recovery and I really hope he continues to make progress.’
Hopeful: Kate Garraway recently recalled how her husband spoke his first word since emerging from a coma following his Covid-19 battle
The broadcaster revealed Draper appeared to mouth the word ‘pain’ when asked by nurses if he was in any discomfort.
While Kate said it was ‘heartbreaking’ he was suffering, it marked progress in his recovery since being struck down with coronavirus in March.
But Kate is ‘keeping herself in check’ and said: ‘The power of hope is huge but you’re constantly trying to think, at what point do I have to start being real.’
Speaking to GMB from west London, she said: ‘Way back in April when we chatted for the first time and I said “look he seems to have survives so far, so I know I already have my miracle”.
Complex! Healthcare professional, Emily, highlighted how the ability to speak is ‘very complex’, and uses multiple parts of the brain
‘But now I’m praying for the second miracle and that is for him to come back to us. It’s very difficult because this could be it. I’m very much trying to keep myself in check, not start crying, because we still don’t know.’
Kate explained that throughout Derek’s hospitalisation, doctors and nurses have continued treating him as if conscious, telling him when they were about to move him and asking if he were in any pain.
She recalled: ‘And they did this, and he very clearly mouthed the word “pain”. Everybody that was there stopped and couldn’t believe it.’
Massive step: ‘It sounds like such a small step but it’s massive and he can now start to tell them how he’s feeling’ said Emily
The TV presenter added: ‘It is a huge breakthrough, obviously it’s heartbreaking because he feels pain and that’s not what we want….
‘What it means is that he’s been able to connect a sensation in his body, with his mouth through his brain to say the word “pain”.
But she said: ‘I’ve spoken to you both before about is he still in there, is he locked away. I believe he is still in there. That’s a long way from being Derek with all his multiple words of colour with all the love, but it’s a start.
‘The power of hope is huge but you’re constantly trying to think, at what point do I have to start being real.
She said there was ‘still a long road to go and we still don’t know how far down that road he can come’.