Donation protected
Hello friends and family.
What happened? Where have you been?
This may be a surprise to a lot of you, but on Saturday October 3rd I woke up with a fever and other flu-like symptoms. I immediately scheduled a COVID-19 test for that evening. Within 24 hours I had received a devastating positive result. Unfortunately, my symptoms persisted and evolved aggressively until on Wednesday October 7th I was admitted to the urgent care unit at Kaiser Permanente in Gaithersburg. They set me up with oxygen and monitored my vitals overnight, which sadly worsened with each hour that passed. The next morning, the doctor made the call that I needed a higher level of care and I was transported to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. From Thurs Oct 8 through Mon Oct 12 (5 days) I was in SICU on forced oxygen, I received two plasma infusions, and I was given an experimental drug called Remdesivir for treatment. On Mon Oct 12th, I was able to come off of forced oxygen, then moved to a recovery ward for the rest of my time in the hospital. I was discharged Sunday October 18th. In total, I was in isolation at Holy Cross for 12 days.
I've been home now for 2 weeks, thankfully, but I'm still recovering from the whole ordeal. My legs are still weak from being bedridden for almost 2 weeks, and I get woozy when I do too much.
How are you working on recovery at home?
Thankfully I was able to go home without any sort of prescriptions. I was given an incentive spirometer to work on my lung function and... that's it. While at the hospital I was visited twice by a physical therapist, but was only told to take things slowly. I've slowly been trying to increase my level of activity, and after two weeks home I'm able to go on one mile walks and do little things around the house. I'm trying to do a little more each day, so that I can get back to work as quickly as possible.
Why do you need a GoFundMe?
This GoFundMe is to help with all the bills I have missed and will miss in October and November. Unfortunately dealing with bills was not something I was capable of while recovering in the hospital and some things were forgotten in the shuffle. I've also been out of work since 10/3, and have no idea when I'll be strong enough to go back so my upcoming bills are starting to weigh on me.
I have yet to receive a bill from the hospital. I'm hoping a good portion is covered by my insurance, but it's another big question mark lingering.
The work I do is very physical, which is why I still can't go back. If you have any leads on work-from-home jobs or jobs that don't require too much physical activity I would appreciate hearing about those. (I've been out of quarantine since 10/23 so I'm cleared to work again.)
I'd prefer to help another way.
I am so terrible at asking for help (just ask my brother Robb), which is partially why I waited this long to tell people what's been going on. If you aren't a fan of GoFundMes, literally anything would be appreciated- whether that means you prefer using cash or check, or a gift card to help with essentials like groceries/household needs/etc, or you like cooking and want to help that way, or if you think of something else- please send me a text/message me on Facebook and I'd be happy to chat. If it isn't possible for you to help in these ways, please share my GoFundMe, react/comment, send a heart my way. It's been a difficult month on top of a difficult year (for everyone) and I appreciate every minute bit of love shown to me. <3
Side note: If you are someone who has already reached out with assistance, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, you have kept me afloat this past month. Also please do not feel pressured to do more, you are amazing and have done enough. <3
I would like to know more about your experience.
Please feel free to shoot me a message/give me a call with any of your questions. It was a highly personal experience, BUT I also think it's important to spread awareness about the severity of COVID-19. If you think it would help you or someone you know to hear a first-hand account of what it's like to have it, just know it won't be a fun conversation.
Also, I kept a video journal during my time at the hospital, along with taking pictures, to document how I was doing during my recovery. I hope to set these up on a YouTube channel for posterity, so please check back for a link if that's something that would interest you.
Why didn't I post on social media about this?
I was scared and overwhelmed, and that pretty much sums it up. I was given morphine my first few days so I was in and out, I was on Xanax so I could sleep the whole time I was there... I wasn't able to handle a flood of messages and people asking, "Are you ok??" because the answer was always, "No!" But now that I'm doing a bit better, physically but also mentally, I'm better able to handle all of that and even welcome it! Because yes, I finally am okay. And I will be okay. I just need some help so I can even better.
Cover photo from Saturday 10/17 @ Holy Cross.
I will probably reshare this throughout the month, if you have already donated please just share my post with others. <3
What happened? Where have you been?
This may be a surprise to a lot of you, but on Saturday October 3rd I woke up with a fever and other flu-like symptoms. I immediately scheduled a COVID-19 test for that evening. Within 24 hours I had received a devastating positive result. Unfortunately, my symptoms persisted and evolved aggressively until on Wednesday October 7th I was admitted to the urgent care unit at Kaiser Permanente in Gaithersburg. They set me up with oxygen and monitored my vitals overnight, which sadly worsened with each hour that passed. The next morning, the doctor made the call that I needed a higher level of care and I was transported to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. From Thurs Oct 8 through Mon Oct 12 (5 days) I was in SICU on forced oxygen, I received two plasma infusions, and I was given an experimental drug called Remdesivir for treatment. On Mon Oct 12th, I was able to come off of forced oxygen, then moved to a recovery ward for the rest of my time in the hospital. I was discharged Sunday October 18th. In total, I was in isolation at Holy Cross for 12 days.
I've been home now for 2 weeks, thankfully, but I'm still recovering from the whole ordeal. My legs are still weak from being bedridden for almost 2 weeks, and I get woozy when I do too much.
How are you working on recovery at home?
Thankfully I was able to go home without any sort of prescriptions. I was given an incentive spirometer to work on my lung function and... that's it. While at the hospital I was visited twice by a physical therapist, but was only told to take things slowly. I've slowly been trying to increase my level of activity, and after two weeks home I'm able to go on one mile walks and do little things around the house. I'm trying to do a little more each day, so that I can get back to work as quickly as possible.
Why do you need a GoFundMe?
This GoFundMe is to help with all the bills I have missed and will miss in October and November. Unfortunately dealing with bills was not something I was capable of while recovering in the hospital and some things were forgotten in the shuffle. I've also been out of work since 10/3, and have no idea when I'll be strong enough to go back so my upcoming bills are starting to weigh on me.
I have yet to receive a bill from the hospital. I'm hoping a good portion is covered by my insurance, but it's another big question mark lingering.
The work I do is very physical, which is why I still can't go back. If you have any leads on work-from-home jobs or jobs that don't require too much physical activity I would appreciate hearing about those. (I've been out of quarantine since 10/23 so I'm cleared to work again.)
I'd prefer to help another way.
I am so terrible at asking for help (just ask my brother Robb), which is partially why I waited this long to tell people what's been going on. If you aren't a fan of GoFundMes, literally anything would be appreciated- whether that means you prefer using cash or check, or a gift card to help with essentials like groceries/household needs/etc, or you like cooking and want to help that way, or if you think of something else- please send me a text/message me on Facebook and I'd be happy to chat. If it isn't possible for you to help in these ways, please share my GoFundMe, react/comment, send a heart my way. It's been a difficult month on top of a difficult year (for everyone) and I appreciate every minute bit of love shown to me. <3
Side note: If you are someone who has already reached out with assistance, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, you have kept me afloat this past month. Also please do not feel pressured to do more, you are amazing and have done enough. <3
I would like to know more about your experience.
Please feel free to shoot me a message/give me a call with any of your questions. It was a highly personal experience, BUT I also think it's important to spread awareness about the severity of COVID-19. If you think it would help you or someone you know to hear a first-hand account of what it's like to have it, just know it won't be a fun conversation.
Also, I kept a video journal during my time at the hospital, along with taking pictures, to document how I was doing during my recovery. I hope to set these up on a YouTube channel for posterity, so please check back for a link if that's something that would interest you.
Why didn't I post on social media about this?
I was scared and overwhelmed, and that pretty much sums it up. I was given morphine my first few days so I was in and out, I was on Xanax so I could sleep the whole time I was there... I wasn't able to handle a flood of messages and people asking, "Are you ok??" because the answer was always, "No!" But now that I'm doing a bit better, physically but also mentally, I'm better able to handle all of that and even welcome it! Because yes, I finally am okay. And I will be okay. I just need some help so I can even better.
Cover photo from Saturday 10/17 @ Holy Cross.
I will probably reshare this throughout the month, if you have already donated please just share my post with others. <3
Organizer
Mary Saffell
Organizer
Frederick, MD