3 minute read
UH Parma Gives Extra Support
Len holds his newest grandchild, Brody, born just days before he became ill with COVID-19 and was admitted to the ICU at UH Parma Medical Center. Len's “guardian angel," Lindsey Wells, RN (left) stopped by on her day off to see Len when he emerged from the UH Parma Medical Center. She said she would not have missed his discharge. Kathy Hudgins, RN (right) took care of Len on his last day in the hospital.
For the burly, retired steel mill plumber who was rarely sick, Len Flors was stunned to be felled by COVID-19.
In retirement he remained hearty, so Len grew increasingly concerned as fatigue, fever, nausea and a nagging cough persisted in late July. After testing positive for COVID-19, Len’s condition worsened at home over 10 days, and he was admitted through the Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit at UH Parma Medical Center.
Being admitted to the ICU was sobering for this active father of four and grandfather of nine. No visitors are allowed in the room of a COVID-19 patient. Len told his wife, Wendy, on the telephone, that he refused to FaceTime with his grandchildren because he didn’t want them to see him sick and on oxygen.
“I was very scared," said Len, 69. “I had a rough time. I'm a big, strong man and it just knocked me down. This virus is for real. Man, it's a bad disease. You can't breathe."
UH Parma Gives Extra Support to COVID-19 Patient
COVID-19 patients are necessarily isolated, due to the contagiousness of the novel coronavirus. No one but caregivers covered in gowns, masks, face shields and gloves are allowed in the room. The thrum of a HEPA filter and beeping monitors are a steady cacophony, and caregivers must yell to be heard through their respirator masks.
“It's such a solitary experience," said James Hill, MD, Chief Medical Officer of UH Parma Medical Center, who also works in the ICU. “The patients are not only dealing with a very deadly disease that can worsen at any point, but they're also separated from their loved ones."
The intensive care of these uniquely ill patients takes a toll on staff too. While a physician may see a COVID-19 patient once or twice daily on rounds, their nurses see them frequently throughout a 12-hour shift, noted Dr. Hill.
“These nurses see a lot of depression and sadness with COVID-19," Dr. Hill said. “I've seen more grown men cry from this disease than I've seen with anything else in my entire life."
A GUARDIAN ANGEL
Wendy Flors – who herself was at home recovering from COVID-19 – relied heavily on the responsive staff for updates on her husband, who had grown dour and withdrawn. Calls from nurses like Lindsey Wells and Kayla Rinaldi, often after already long shifts, were a lifeline for her. They became like family, when her beloved husband was in their hands.
Lindsey consulted Dr. Hill about the darkness that was consuming Len – a depression caused by the isolation and toll of his illness. Thankfully, due to Dr. Hill’s immediate care, Len was soon conversational and acting like himself again. “I don't know if he would have made it without that," said Wendy, “We're always together, and not knowing if he would come home has been very difficult. This virus takes a toll."
A BOOST TO RECOVER
Len believes that the help he received for his mood changed everything. He began to believe he would get better and go home again. And he's so grateful for UH Parma Medical Center.
“We've been coming here forever," Len said from his hospital room. “It's where you turn when you have any health problem. All my doctors are here. Now I've seen up close how hard they work, and it made me want to get better."
When Len was discharged from UH Parma Medical Center on a Saturday afternoon, he was greeted by cheers and tears from his wife, Wendy, and their four children and nine grandchildren.
