Mark began to have his typical asthma/ change of season allergies. On 11/17/2020, Mark found out on 11/17 that he had been exposed to COVID. He contacted his PCP the next day and asked for a COVID test. He wasn’t able to get in for a test until 11/20/2020. His test came back positive on Sunday 11/22/2020.

Our PCP told him to take Tylenol, rest and drink liquids. Also prescribed steroids via a call. Nobody suggested that we monitor his Blood/ pulse oxygen. Mark’s condition worsened and on the morning of November 25, 2020, at approximately 7:30 a.m., his wife Joy found him unresponsive, face down in bed. Joy immediately called the paramedics, who were able to provide oxygen which helped Mark’s condition.  At that time, they transported him to the hospital.

Mark was placed in the ICU. They isolated him and put him on a Cpap and Bpap machine. The family was only able to facetime with Mark on Thanksgiving and again a few days later.

Over the holiday weekend, Mark’s breathing became more labored and he asked to be put on a ventilator. The family was contacted as they were intubating him. Joy noted that Mark was afraid and was not under anesthesia at that time.

On Sunday December 6, 2020, Mark had a heart attack. The doctor attributed this to a medication. After 11 days on the ventilator, the family was contacted by hospital and a discussion regarding care was had. The physicians stated that Mark would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life and would need skilled care. If the family made the decision to do this, he would need to  have a tracheotomy.

The family met and decided that was not what Mark would want and chose to honor his wishes per his living will. At that time, the family was permitted to be in the ICU, but did not have physical access to Mark.

As the equipment was turned off, a nurse remained with Mark throughout the dying process, Mark lasted close 6 hours before passing.