Mount Pleasant Magazine Documenting Covid-19

42 www.CoronavirusMag.com | www.ReadMPM.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com feature bedroom in the house. “I would put his food and drinks outside the door on a tray, using paper plates and cups.” Unfortunately, Ron’s symptoms worsened. He’d been sick almost a week when his doctor called and confirmed that it was, indeed, the coronavirus. Later that same week, he called his wife from the bedroom and said he felt like he couldn’t breathe. When his oxygen clocked in at 88, she called 911. “The EMS workers were covered up from head to toe,” she remembered. “They asked if he was able to walk outside. They got the stretcher ready at the front door; they didn’t come in. He came out and got on the stretcher, and I sprayed everything with Lysol.” The eight days that Ron remained in the hospital were tough for Mary and their son, Nick. They weren’t able to visit him in person, so they video chatted with him using the FaceTime app. Despite the fear of that time period, Ron never had to be put on a ventilator and was able to return home once his fever abated. Still, he was told to keep self-isolating in the bedroom and stay on his oxygen. By mid-April, Ron was finally able to leave the bedroom and join his wife and son in the living room. Though he was still wearing a mask — and he and Mary continued to sleep in separate rooms — it was an important turning point for the family. As of this interview, Ron’s cough was almost gone. Though Mary’s thankful that she and her son stayed well, she said the most concerning part is not knowing where he picked up the virus. “We have no idea where he got it,” she said. “He didn’t go anywhere special, just the grocery store and gas station. We were diligent about sanitizing. We didn’t go to a park or out of town.” Mary noted that although her husband’s mood has been up and down, she’s been reassuring him that getting better is the most important thing in the eyes of his family. “It was upsetting him, knowing I had to do all the caretaking for our son,” she said. “But I told him it helps me to know he’s going to get better. Now, he’s in good spirits. And he’s getting his strength back.” health and wellness 843.881.7588 www.ccmyersservice.com MAKING HOMES COMFORTABLE During a Pandemic and Beyond! 843.305.5429 Plumbing A/C Heating Drains BEST 2019 OF THE BEST READERS’CHOICE ® CCMyersService.com