Last month, Mark Gillis experienced a real nightmare when he ended up in hospital in critical condition. It has now become clear that he really had an angel on his shoulders. In a candid conversation with Privé, dad Peter Gillis tells the whole story behind this intense event.
A difficult time full of worries
Although Mark is currently slowly recovering and working hard on his rehabilitation, he seemed to be on the brink of death due to severe pneumonia. Fortunately, he is now out of intensive care, but he still has a long road to recovery ahead of him. “It is a difficult time full of worries,” Peter shares. “We support him where possible, but we are also having a hard time. Mark has to learn everything again, from walking to eating. It is a tough process, with memory trainers and many exercises to make him independent again.”
Mark Gillis was in the right place at the right time
What makes the story extra special is how Mark ended up in the hospital. Peter reveals that Mark had taken his mother, Peter’s ex-wife, to the hospital because she wasn’t feeling well. She was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. During their visit, the doctor noticed that Mark didn’t look well. The doctor suggested having Mark examined, which turned out to be a life-saving decision. Wow! “Mark had severe pneumonia and was immediately taken to the ICU, right next to his mother,” says Peter.
Huge relief
Peter remembers the shocking news they received the next morning: “The doctor told us that if Mark hadn’t been examined and had just gone home, he probably wouldn’t have made it to the next morning. We might have found him dead in his chalet.” The fact that Mark is still alive is a huge relief for the family. And the good news is that Mark’s mother is now also on the mend.
Proud of Mark Gillis
The Gillis family is of course very proud of Mark for his perseverance and courage. Peter has already thanked the doctors and nurses for their non-stop care and everyone who supported them. Peter described the moment when Mark regained consciousness as “a day with a golden edge.” And that is absolutely right! What an enormous relief and joy it must have been for the family.
