HOSPITAL’S PROTOCOL TO USE REMDESIVIR PREEMPTS COUPLE’S DESIRE TO TRY ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS. RESULT: HUSBAND’S CONDITION TURNS INTO DOWNWARD SPIRAL TO HIS DEATH AS HOSPITAL PROTOCOL DISMALLY FAILS!
Caring Wife Ignored by Hospital Doctors and Staff as Husband Gets Subpar Care in Prestigious Southern California Hospital
Our journey started the moment we returned from an amazing holiday vacation. Michael did the majority of the driving both to and from CO from CA. We arrived home and both seemed to be fighting a cold and since we were taking Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) once weekly prophylactically, we thought we would be okay. When the “cold” lingered and went into Michael’s chest after a couple of days, we realized we should start Ivermectin. Michael seemed fine, but then all at once took a turn and stayed in bed all day, slept, and barely felt up to food or liquids.
We live in a small mountain town in Southern California, so I decided to call our fire department to come to our home and check his Oxygen (O2) levels. Our altitude is over 5000 feet, so I was even more concerned he was getting enough Oxygen. The firemen were fabulous and thorough - the most positive part of our medical journey. They not only checked his O2, but also monitored his heart and lungs. Heart was healthy and strong, although they did hear fluid and suggested a chest X-Ray in the morning.
There was nobody available at our local health center so we drove an hour down the mountain to an urgent care. I had called ahead to make sure they had an X-Ray machine, yet after waiting four hours in the waiting room, I could see Michael declining. When the PA came into the room, I mentioned the firemen’s recommendation and also asked if we could get an antibiotic and possibly a steroid for his lungs since Michael had been extremely ill two years ago with a very serious pneumonia. She dismissed our request and would not do an X-Ray, stating there was no fluid. I pleaded, but to no avail. She had also mentioned an antibiotic, although prescribed a medication to suppress his cough and an inhaler. Swabs were abruptly stuck up his nose with no warning for the COVID test and, when the test came back positive, she said, “go home. The hospital won’t want to see you. Quarantine for five days.” When she asked Michael questions, he was not himself and I now realize that he was a bit delirious. At the time, I just thought he was exhausted after our long trip, but now I understand he was lacking consistent O2. She sent us home, although the paperwork stated that she had recommended the hospital.
After we left, I realized there was no script for an antibiotic even though she had mentioned it in the exam room, so I called the urgent care center ten minutes later and they put the call through to the Physician Assistant. She said since we had already left the center, we would have to come back and wait for another appointment if we expected to get an antibiotic. After four hours, Michael was exhausted and we had an hour drive ahead. This was the start of our decline.
When we arrived home, I called the local health center and asked them to please call in an antibiotic and steroid and was told they could not because they had not seen Michael and now that he was diagnosed with COVID, they could not take the chance. The first available appointment for him to be seen was in 3 weeks, so I pleaded for them to call it in since we are their patients. I explained the circumstances and mentioned they had prescribed an antibiotic and inhaler two years ago when he had pneumonia and both were beneficial - we both had been extremely ill and friends/family called after COVID had become a mainstream discussion. Many shared after hearing about COVID and the symptoms that they believed we definitely had it back then. They remembered how ill we were and the symptoms we shared without knowing about COVID. Two months later the world was in quarantine.
The following morning, I made numerous calls in search of Regeneron for Michael and was told the entire county was out. This was early January 2022 and the news was reporting mass shortages. I contemplated driving two hours to other counties, but Michael was very ill and I was checking his O2 constantly. The following day his O2 was dropping and I drove down to the Emergency Room (ER) and felt ill. I was coaching Michael and reminding him to decline Remdesivir and a ventilator per our previous discussions. At home we had HCQ and Ivermectin and we always support our immune system with supplements, even prior to COVID. I have my Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and have always been interested in nutrition and natural support first. We increased his Vitamin C, D, Zinc, etc.
We arrived to the ER and Michael was immediately put in a holding room with people who had COVID. He sat for many hours and I do not think he had any liquids. They admitted him several hours later while I drove around, sat in the car, etc. since I was not allowed in and we live an hour away.
The first two days they thought Michael was a dementia or Alzheimer’s patient due to his behavior and I am sure it was from the lack of oxygen and dehydration. His brain was extremely sharp and saying Michael was an avid reader would be an understatement. Ten months prior, he checked out beautifully by a neurologist in preparation for an extensive back surgery. Never did any physician ever comment on Michael’s mental abilities, but the doctors treated him as if he was a problem. When Michael became himself again, he was only on 2-4 liters via nasal cannula and we were FaceTiming and texting and Michael was sharp, witty and totally present. Then I got the call about putting him on Remdesivir and the decline escalated over the next several days.
Michael called and said he was experiencing, no food, no teeth brushing, no incentive spirometer to strengthen his lungs, although it was ordered 48 hours previously and it had not been delivered. They said that they did not have the staff to help Michael with the exercise anyway. I printed an 8 x 10 photo of the two of us and our dog, to not only cheer up Michael since I was unable to visit, but to reinforce the healthcare professionals that this handsome, vibrant man was my love and not just some “head in a bed”! I drove an hour each way to drop off a smoothie from Whole Foods at the hospital since they said he wasn’t eating and before I walked back to the parking lot, Michael texted me and said he had already finished the delicious smoothie! I begged the nurses to give him water so he could brush his teeth. Years ago, I had been in Business Development for an HCA Hospital and even offered to sign a waiver and relieve the hospital of any risk, should I end up sick, if they would allow me into his room to help care for Michael. Of course, I was denied - hospital policy.
It was exasperating to read in the same week Michael was in a prestigious hospital in Southern California, that CA and AZ were allowing healthcare workers to care for patients if they tested positive for COVID, as long as they were asymptomatic and had no fever, yet I did not have a fever and no symptoms, but was prevented from being with my husband. Again, hospital policy.
Our experience and details are similar to thousands of others, but I wanted to reach out in hopes that our story may help others. I feel as though we are another Remdesivir story/victim. I am shattered and heartbroken. We did all that we could to resist Remdesivir because we had read about the adverse effects for many months and heard many doctors sharing the truth about the harm and fatalities. Michael refused the medication, so two doctors on separate occasions called me and encouraged me to plead with Michael over FaceTime and have him relent to the Remdesivir protocols. I said I was in agreement with Michael and then felt bamboozled and shamed, because I was told I was preventing my husband from “hospital treatment protocols.” Michael had also asked them to write “No Vent” in his chart, so when they called me, they said, we must not refuse Remdesivir because it was his only chance if things should turn. I asked for Ivermectin, high doses of IV Vitamin C, Zinc, etc. Again, they were not interested in anything but Remdesivir. I offered studies supporting other options, such as by Paul Marik, M.D., of The FLCCC Alliance, and shared comments by some of my dear doctor friends, yet their only interest was getting Michael on Remdesivir. They even mentioned the possibility of two rounds. I literally felt ill and thought if something happened to Michael and we refused, it would be in his chart that I denied him “the proper protocols.” I called twice a day to check his liver and kidney functions and was told that all was fine, until I got the call that Michael crashed overnight and would not make it! Please add my husband, Michael, to your list of Remdesivir fatalities.
I did everything in my power to keep Michael out of the hospital. HCQ, Ivermectin, supplements, etc. The system failed us and everything we had read prior became our reality, a total and utter nightmare. Early on my disappointment was that Michael was not receiving individualized support during our crisis. I was Director of Business Development for a hospital years ago and have worked in the medical arena for years. I understand the healthcare professionals have been overworked and exhausted putting in long hours. I am also aware that many do go over and above to support their patients, but this was not our experience. Michael fell through the cracks and I hope others in crisis will have a far more positive experience, proper support and better outcome.
During this entire ordeal, I also had COVID and quarantined for five days. When the doctors called from the hospital and recommended comfort care and end of life for Michael, I was completely blindsided, exhausted and broken. The night before his text message was lucid and loving. I could not wrap my brain around the news and several hours later another doctor called me. What I endured was another lengthy story