My husband became ill and I took him to Urgent Care on 11/15/2020. He was tested for flu and COVID-19, and was positive for COVID-19.  His oxygen was below 90, and they discussed transferring him to the hospital, but at shift change a different provider took charge and decided to send him home on oxygen.

His condition worsened at home, and I took him to the hospital on 11/17/2020, where he was admitted directly to ICU.  He was placed on forced oxygen until 11/21/2020, when they informed me they feared his becoming brain damaged, and I convinced my husband to accept ventilation.  I was told if he refused ventilation, he would be sent to another area of the hospital with a DNR.

He was ventilated until 12/24/2020, but the week prior to his weaning off I was urged to discontinue life support because they feared he would not have a full neurological recovery.  I was referred to the palliative care team and was treated poorly by the Palliative Care NP, who left me in tears more than once. I felt I was being pressured to let him go, but I refused.

Once off the ventilator, Hunter developed sepsis related to the ventilator ,was finally ready for rehab on 1/9/2021. He had lost 70 pounds in ICU, and in rehab had to learn to walk and eat again. He stayed in rehab until 3/9/2021, at which time he continued on home care therapy for two more months.  He was on oxygen 24/7 for a full year after becoming ill, and has been diagnosed with post COVID-19 interstitial lung disease.  He continues to see Dr. DePriest, his pulmonologist.  We live in Colorado, and he is unable to tolerate elevations higher than 8000 feet.