A Scots grandad who was put in an induced coma after falling seriously ill on holiday in Spain has racked up £30,000 in medical bills.
John Hollis, from Castlemilk in Glasgow, was rushed to hospital in Benidorm, after his kidneys began failing while at the popular holiday spot with a friend.
The 73-year-old’s loved ones desperately raced to his side when doctors told them he was “likely to die”.
John’s organs had started failing so medics decided to put him in an induced coma bu he was taken off life support after five days.
John is now in a more stable condition but remains in intensive care.
His son John Jnr, 43, said: “My dad went out to Benidorm with his pal Archie on October 2 for a week.
“He was enjoying himself on the first day but then he started unwell.
“I got the dreaded call from doctors saying that he was going to die and that I needed to get out there as soon as possible. When me and my partner Laura arrived, it was looking bad – it was devastating to see. His kidneys had failed, he was on dialysis and this was leading to multiple organ failure.
“As we waited his stats seemed to get slightly better the next day. Then the next day they got better again. I can’t believe it but we’re now in a place where he is sitting up and eating soup. He has fought like a bear.
“However, he is still needing oxygen and has been badly hallucinating. It could be the effects of the induced coma but he’ll still be here for a while yet.”
John remains in intensive care with costs mounting up and the private hospital looking for payment. He took out medical insurance through his bank but the company is in dispute about his pre-medical conditions. While his family waits for an answer, his hospital bill has already hit £30,000.
“The local community hospital wouldn’t take him in so he ended up at the private hospital”, John Jr said. “In a way, I’m glad he did as I think they saved his life but it’s just so expensive.
“My dad just thought he was covered through his insurance which he pays every month. They are disputing that he has not told them he had pre-existing medical conditions but he actually hasn’t had a proper diagnosis so there’s nothing he could say.
“Medics believe his kidney failure was caused by the diabetes prescription he has been on. We’ll fight that when the time comes but we’ve had to reach out to see if people could donate to help us.
Speaking about the response from the community, John Jnr said: “It has been amazing, nearly £12,000 so far and we’re just overwhelmed. We are hopeful that he will make this through.”
AIG insurance has been contacted for comment.
To donate to John’s medical fundraiser, click here.
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