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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThey Survived ... It's a Freaking Miracle
My sister and brother-in-law came home from the hospital today, after more than a week in what was essentially ICU, suffering from COVID pneumonia. The regular ICU was full so the hospital took a wing of nothing but private rooms and created make-shift ICU units. She was in one room and he was across the hall. They were both on BiPAP, remdesivir, steroids, antibiotics, etc., and both received monoclonal antibody infusions prior to admittance. Both had different symptoms (he had raging headaches and high fever; she had unbelievable weakness and nausea) in addition to the lung-shattering coughs. She also suffered from brain fog and short term memory loss. I kept in touch via phone - no visitors, of course. Fortunately I was listed as an emergency contact so could talk to the nursing staff and get the scoop.
He progressed relatively normally with no setbacks, she could barely move out of the bed without her oxygen plummeting and had a couple of bad episodes. He got out Saturday. She was discharged today. Both are home on oxygen, receiving physical therapy and home health care. Both were told by doctors that it could be weeks or months before they are back to anything that resembles normal. She lost over 10 lbs. He lost 24 lbs.
Were they vaccinated? NO. Are they telling anyone within earshot that they need to be vaccinated now? YES. My sister is texting and calling everyone she knows (when she has the breath to talk) to tell them to get vaccinated.
I guess some good came out of this.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,591 posts)captain queeg
(10,171 posts)Its too bad thats what it takes but for each person that gets hospitalized maybe theyll convince 10 others, so maybe the numbers will start improving.
MissB
(15,805 posts)with my mom yet. Shes recovering at home- never got medical care at all, though she should have. Shes just too stubborn to go to the doctor. Im pretty sure she has/has covid pneumonia but shes honestly doing better.
Her husband didnt make it though. Neither was vaccinated.
Im assuming shes processing the death of her spouse still. Ill ask her about getting vaccinated in a week or so.
wendyb-NC
(3,322 posts)It sounds like a terrifying experience, for them. You, also, must have been on pins and needles, and, no doubt still worry.
Good of them to and pass their awakened understanding, on to friends, and others what Covid-19 can do people who are not vaccinated. So get your shot.
What a high price to pay for an epiphany, from the near death experience of contracting a full blown case Covid-19, themselves, because they didn't get the vaccination.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,130 posts)Beacool
(30,247 posts)I'm glad that they saw the light, but it's a pity that they almost had to die before they got their wake-up call.
SoCalDavidS
(9,998 posts)Maybe that vaccine shit does work.
NJCher
(35,658 posts)Are so stunning to me. I still can hardly believe we are living through such a time. It must have been agonizing for you to see your sister in such a state. I know if it had been my sibling, I would be thinking of nothing else.
calimary
(81,220 posts)Maybe her experience will shake a few denialists awake.
brer cat
(24,559 posts)Maybe they will influence some other unvaxxed to get on board.
Fla Dem
(23,650 posts)MagickMuffin
(15,936 posts)They knew they had covid during their trip and didn't tell anyone, if I remember this story when first posted.
They need to notify those they might have exposed.
rustysgurl
(1,040 posts)and all they came in contact with during their trip were notified. No choice ... the county demanded the info from them.
MagickMuffin
(15,936 posts)I know they seemed a little hesitant about their whereabouts. But good that the county got the information to inform others that they were in contact with.
If everyone would just be grown ups about this it would make everything so much easier. And I have friends who think they are invincible and refuse masks and vaccines.
Texin
(2,594 posts)Maybe when they're feeling a little bit better...maybe six or nine months from now, they'd be willing to tell you why they were so resistant to a safe vaccine(s), like they've (presumably) been getting since their childhood.
malaise
(268,931 posts)They are lucky
Woodwizard
(842 posts)I have been following a blog of a person that was in one of my facebook groups, his wife was posting his daily progression, he just died Saturday after 8 weeks in the hospital. Their health plan capped out way before then and she is now buried in debt along with no husband and a 15 year old son.
Free shot or crippling debt, decisions decisions.............
democrattotheend
(11,605 posts)I thought the ACA made it illegal to have caps on coverage.
thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)It was part of Obama's attempting to keep his promise that, "if you like your current plan, you can keep it."
Woodwizard
(842 posts)Whatever that is. Thoughts and prayers did not work out very well for him.
thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)...unless they have a medical reason for not getting the vaccine.
There's a limit to how much we need to subsidize the health care of people who are unwilling to take basic preventative steps. Maybe the fear of bankruptcy will scare some people into getting the shot, if fear of the disease itself is not doing it.
rustysgurl
(1,040 posts)I can only imagine what the bills will be.
Vaccine shot = priceless.
niyad
(113,262 posts)life or two.
How are you doing now?
rustysgurl
(1,040 posts)Very tired but resolved to take care of myself through all this.
ananda
(28,858 posts)I think it's worse than the original Covid.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)IbogaProject
(2,804 posts)I happy for you and them.
But I am furious these costs are going to be born by the rest of us with all the money wasted on them and all the extra aftercare every survivor is going to need. This will continue to clog our understaffed Medical Doctor supply for years and years.
rustysgurl
(1,040 posts)roamer65
(36,745 posts)Thats the new term Ive heard for it.
marble falls
(57,077 posts)rustysgurl
(1,040 posts)my bro-in-law has through his employment with the Federal Government (FAA). So I guess you could say we all did.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,848 posts)after refusing to be vaccinated. Using up beds and medical care of people who got vaccinated and now maybe have a heart attack, or need hernia surgery, or something.
If you don't get vaccinated don't go to the hospital.