Earl, a widower and active senior who enjoys spending time with his family and church group, lives at a retirement home in Waubaushene. When the pandemic hit, his home went into lockdown. Unfortunately, Earl tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined to his room.
At first, Earl’s only symptom was a slight fever for a day or so, but after 8 days, it became much worse and Earl was admitted to the isolation unit at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).
“On May 7, 2020, I woke up with a heavy chest and it was hard to breathe,” recalls Earl. “In a matter of days, I was confused, tired, weak, and I didn’t know where I was or why. The hardest thing was not knowing where my daughter Mary-Ann was! She was always by my side through everything, and I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t there.”
When Earl’s daughter couldn’t be there, our doctors and nurses were. They gave Earl’s family twice daily updates on his condition, sat by his side and comforted him through the worst. They also provided him with an iPad to video call with his daughter when he started to feel a little better.
“One afternoon, the staff bundled me up and took me out to the front of the hospital where they had arranged a meeting with my daughter and son-in-law. Even though they were in the car, it was very emotional, and way beyond their job requirement. They have no idea how much this act of caring helped my recovery and my family’s peace of mind!” says Earl.
And on June 3, 2020, after four weeks in hospital, our staff lined the halls of the hospital and cheered as Earl was discharged, sharing a truly inspiring and touching moment that you helped make possible. Click here to watch the video.
“Even though I never saw their faces (because of the masks), I know the staff truly cared about my well-being and my family’s. At 93 years old, I beat COVID-19, but I never could without you,” continues Earl in appreciation of his GBGH care team and the hospital’s loyal donors.