On October 14, 2021 my mother called and texted me to let me know she was going to the ER. She said she felt weak and had shortness of breath. She arrived at the ER in Clare at MidMichigan Medical Center shortly before noon.  My mother was a known diabetic with a cardiac history.   They did not bring her back into the ER exam rooms for nearly 5 hours and the staff refused her food and water from the time she checked in at registration until almost 6 am the following morning.  The hospital actually ran the Covid Swab for testing before she was even brought back to an exam room or an EKG was obtained. At any rate, as soon as her nasal swab tested positive for Covid, she was separated from her husband. They had been together for 36 years and during that time they never spent a night apart.  When we were told she was Covid positive, we immediately asked for Ivermectin and/or Hydroxychloroquine. We also asked that the Covid test be repeated for verification. My stepfather tried and tried to get information on my mother’s status, if there had been any changes, and if they had started either of the two drugs we had requested.

The next day, we were still trying to get information. My stepfather, Clarence, finally barged back. When they tried to remove him, he told them that if she has Covid, so does he. However, he had gone home and taken a home test. His test was negative. They still refused to verify their results or treat with our requested medications.  On the 15th, my mom was put on a Bipap. Also, her cardiac enzymes began to elevate and her blood gases began to show significant changes.  It was determined that she had an MI….and she was going into ketoacidosis. They were controlling both conditions adequately with medications at that point. The physicians determined that she should be admitted, but that there were no beds available in all of the Midmichigan Hospital System for a cardiac patient that was also Covid positive.

On October 16th, my mother was administered Remdesivir.  Her kidneys began to shut down and her liver enzymes elevated.  She became increasingly lethargic to the point of unresponsiveness.  She also became increasingly acidotic. Late on the 16th, my mother was moved from the Clare location of the hospital system to the Gratiot location. She coded just as she arrived. Staff later informed us, that they worked that code for 2 hours. Our family wasn’t notified until after she was “stabilized”. So, they thumped on the chest of this frail 73 year old woman for 2 hours.  By the time we arrived, mom was already on a vent. I never got to speak with her again. She was swollen and bruised. Her location within the hospital was in an isolation ward and her room was a negative pressure room. The family again asked for the repeat testing and for the hospital to administer ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine.  We were treated like we were stupid. The pulmonologist asked me if I thought she should have the IgG or IgM antibody test.  He was truly condescending.  Well, since she had been feeling sick for going on for 2 weeks, both would be appropriate.

Around 9 pm on the 17th, she coded for the last time and I lost my mom, my supporter, my confidant, my best friend….just gone.  Immediately after the physician called her time of death, the doors to the negative pressure room were opened and we were allowed to see her with no masks or gloves; no precautions necessary.