A man who thought his wife was dying has described the Hemel Hempstead Hospital staff who saved her as 'amazing'.
Joyce Mitchell, 79, was rushed to hospital in June with back pain and diagnosed with a kidney and bladder infection.
Her condition was so bad that husband John, 77, told members of their family to come to the hospital and say their goodbyes.
He said: "She was weak and her arms were black and blue there were so many drips in them, I've never seen anything like it.
"I thought she was so bad that she wouldn't live."
Retired nurse Joyce was treated on the Stuart ward before being moved to Lancaster ward.
John said: "I couldn't believe it, I came in to visit her and she had a smile on her face.
"The staff were all absolutely marvellous and I really think they saved her life.
"All the bad news you hear about Hemel Hempstead Hospital, I wanted people to know how wonderful these wards were."
It is hoped Joyce will be able to return to the couple's home on Furze Road, Hemel Hempstead, this month.
John, a retired milkman, said he wanted to applaud the hospital's nurses after watching them 'working their guts out'.
"It was amazing how hard they work," he said. "They don't get enough praise."
