Raleigh, NC – Stanley McHenry, who describes himself as a “tough guy”, was a deputy in Durham County for 31 years, before a dangerous brush with COVID-19.
“This (job) prepares you for almost anything that could happen, although I don’t know if I was fully prepared for it,” McHenry said.
The 66-year-old man said he usually walks three to four miles with his wife. They wear masks in public, maintain as much social distance as possible and practice regular hand hygiene. It is not certain where he was exposed to the virus.
It was the week before Christmas when the early symptoms of runny nose and mild fatigue appeared, so McHenry was tested for COVID-19.
A day or two later he found out that he had given positive results.
Brain fog and confusion set in. Soon, he collapsed at home.
“December 24, 25, 26 and 27, I remember absolutely nothing,” McHenry said.
At Duke Raleigh Hospital, McHenry developed COPD and needed help with breathing.
His doctor, Dr. Amal Youseff, said many people wait for symptoms to get worse before seeking help. “The problem is that we don’t know who will make it easy and who will make it worse,” she said.
After four days in the hospital, McHenry remembers waking up. He panicked, pulling out his IV line and monitoring the devices.
“I had literally no idea why I was there,” he said.
Once McHenry understood his condition, he had difficulty adjusting. He described it as “almost like a feeling of depression, because no one can visit you there.”
After showing progress, McHenry was released from the hospital on January 5, only to return six days later after another lung infection. In all, he said, he spent 11 days at Duke Raleigh Hospital.
While there, he participated in a trial for Remdesivir.
According to Youseff, as in the case of blinded studies, McHenry may or may not have received the drug that can help fight infections and provide temporary immunity.
The requirements of the study meant that McHenry had to wait 90 days before obtaining long-term protection with a vaccine.
“So on March 31, I’ll be somewhere with a medical professional sticking a needle in my arm. That’s my plan,” he said.
“No one should think they should fight him (COVID-19) on their own,” Youseff said. “It’s a disease that’s severe. Everyone should seek help when they have symptoms or at least be diagnosed.”
According to Youseff, people who do not have low oxygen levels will be given guidance by medical professionals and can be quarantined at home.
If more severe symptoms occur, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue and especially if fever is detected, she advises people not to wait for the condition to worsen. Seek medical attention immediately.