COVID-19 survivor says he is ‘happy to be alive’ soon after extended healthcare facility remain

MUSKEGON, MI – Practically two months right after currently being admitted to Mercy Wellness Muskegon with COVID-19, Rick Jones walked out of the hospital on Monday.

“You guys did it,” he mentioned to a workforce of healthcare personnel applauding his discharge.

The 51-12 months-old Norton Shores male developed symptoms of COVID-19 in mid-November: a fever, physique aches and shortness of breath. Just after having difficulties to breathe for various days, Jones went to the medical center pondering he just desired oxygen.

“When I bought below, I went downhill rapidly,” he mentioned speaking outside the house of Mercy Health.

Jones was moved to the intense treatment unit where medical professionals intubated him on Nov. 23.

Dr. MaryEllen Rosel, a hospitalist and inside medicine medical professional who handled Jones, claims when a client reaches the place of needing a ventilator, the prospects of coming off it “really reduce.”

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Faced with a grim prognosis, Jones explained he was “at peace” when he stated goodbye to his spouse of 27 decades, Marie Jones.

Soon after about two months in the clinic, Jones was eradicated from the ventilator only to be re-intubated a few of days later. Sufferers who arrive off a ventilator, Rosel said, encounter a 20% probability of needing to be intubated all over again.

“We do see sufferers that are hospitalized for a quite prolonged time period of time,” Rosel said. “(Jones) is exclusive in the sense that he type of experienced the worst of it.”

In mid-November, the COVID-19 pandemic was surging across Michigan. Muskegon County was strike specially difficult and professional a positivity rate above 20%, frustrating Mercy Health with COVID-19 clients.

When Jones was admitted, the clinic had executed demanding visitor limits.

For 4 weeks, Marie Jones only noticed her spouse after — when a nurse called her at 3 a.m. on Dec. 12 and reported he was going to be intubated for the next time.

“I would sit in the parking large amount and just pray,” she stated.

Her prayers were bolstered by several local community teams and people the few hadn’t observed “since superior school.”

Related: Monday, Jan. 11, coronavirus information by county: 43 counties now have positivity amount of 10% or increased

Jones made gradual progress, currently being taken off the ventilator on Dec. 23 and emerging from his mind fog on New Year’s Eve.

“I did not know if I was paralyzed or what was heading on, but I made the decision I didn’t die, so it is time to struggle,” he mentioned.

The 51-12 months-outdated began to stroll again with assistance from Mary Cost-free Bed’s rehabilitation device. But Jones recognizes he nevertheless “has a ton of operate to do.”

As of Jan. 6, Muskegon County claimed 9,500 cases of COVID-19 and 262 deaths from the virus. Rosel claimed it is “baffling” to physicians why some situations are delicate, and other individuals are critical.

“We’ve had elderly clients come into the healthcare facility for a pair of times. They go home and they do wonderful,” she reported. “And then we have a client like Rick, who is a wholesome, middle-aged male who has a extended and extensive hospitalization.”

Relevant: Subsequent in line for vaccines, Michigan teachers are feeling optimistic

Jones stated this working experience has altered his point of view on COVID-19. After seeing buddies get the virus and get well in just a 7 days, he assumed it would be similar to the flu.

“That’s what I imagined would transpire to me,” Jones mentioned. “But I crashed. It got me, and it received me superior.”

Jones credits the doctors and nurses at Mercy Health and fitness for preserving his everyday living.

“I’m just delighted to be alive” Jones said.

He’s seeking forward to likely dwelling, looking at his pet, expending time with his three daughters and getting nutritious plenty of to physical exercise yet again.

“It’ll choose a small much more than some COVID to knock me out,” Jones claimed.

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