Cheryl’s husband, Steven, thought he had a sinus infection after doing some lawn work on Sept 9,2021, By evening, he was running a temperature and the next day saw his PCP. Both Steven and Cheryl tested positive for Covid. Their doctor prescribed dexamethasone, low dose aspirin, and Azithromycin. That was Friday 9/10/21.

On Tuesday another doctor ordered Hydroxychloroquine for the both of them and wrote a script for home oxygen for Steve. Monoclonal antibodies were offered on the first PCP visit, but its importance was not explained. When the infusion center phoned to set their appointments it was stressed that they had to get the monoclonal antibodies within 10 days of symptoms starting. Because Steve was prescribed supplemental oxygen the infusion center then refused to do the procedure. Unaware of the political forces surrounding the antibodies, when they decided to accept them, even using a different infusion center, none were available. The state’s supply had been “paused” by the federal government.

By Thursday, 9/16/21, Steve was taken to the hospital by ambulance where he insisted his wife speak to him otherwise he wouldn’t agree to go to ICU.  The medical staff told them Ivermectin was not an acceptable drug to treat Covid but Remdesivir was the FDA drug of choice. When Cheryl objected to the use of Remdesivir, she was told it was safe and effective and the only anti-viral permitted by the FDA.

 After Steve was admitted, Cheryl was not allowed to see him.  However others had gone to court and won the right to see their loved ones.  She was allowed to visit from 4-6pm each day, starting on 9/23/21.  Cheryl was expecting to have a warm reunion with Steve that evening, but was confused by Steve’s inability to focus, mumbling through the bi-pap mask. Months later she realized he was heavily sedated.

The following day, the doctor expressed concern over Steve’s condition. On 9/24/21, he was placed on a ventilator, and Cheryl was warned that his kidney function was showing deterioration. On 9/27/21 he was put on hemodialysis for 3 hours each day.  Steve’s sons, Jonathan and namesake, Steven, pleaded for any other interventions. Vitamin D was refused by the pulmonologist, despite being there for over a week they had not tested his levels.  Vitamin C, IV form, was allowed, after harsh language was used, they were told later the doctor got into “trouble” for that.

On 10/3/21, after receiving hemodialysis daily they skipped it. No explanation as to why. On 10/4/21, Cheryl was informed that a secondary bacterial infection was now in Steve’s lungs. Expected to be treatable with antibiotics.

Upon arriving on 10/5/21, Cheryl arrived to find the hemodialysis machine being removed from the room.  Cheryl, Steve, Jr. & Jonathan were informed that Steve had “hours to days to live”.  After meeting with the pulmonologist regarding this diagnosis, Cheryl asked to be put in touch with the head of nephrology. During that phone conversation, while explaining why hemodialysis was so difficult for Steve, she was told there was another machine that would pull fluid slower but that the pulmonologist had refused to use it.  She immediately requested it anyway. This machine, a CRRT, which would help with dialysis but had to be monitored 24 hours a day. Although for 48 hours there were some signs of improvement, Cheryl was ill prepared for the news that his organs were shutting down.

 On October 10, 2021 Steve’s painful journey ended and his family’s had begun.  Cheryl believes that the hospital knew their treatment protocol was wrong and a failure.  Jonathan and Steven believe the government is to blame for forcing a failed protocol on their father.