Feb 9, 2022 Reporting from Niles, MI
Giving it his all - Tony McCoy
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/giving-it-his-all/?utm_source=Giving_it_his_all&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Feb 9, 2022
Feb 9, 2022
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
COVID-19 survivor spent 22 days in coma—credits Lakeland for saving his life.
One weekend in August of 2021, Mark “Tony” McCoy started feeling a bit off. After being tested for COVID-19 it was confirmed that Tony was positive. He re
Giving it his all - Tony McCoy
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Giving it his all - Tony McCoy
Feb, 2022
Physicians:
COVID-19 survivor spent 22 days in coma—credits Lakeland for saving his life.
One weekend in August of 2021, Mark “Tony” McCoy started feeling a bit off. After being tested for COVID-19 it was confirmed that Tony was positive. He returned home to isolate and manage his symptoms. Over the next few days, Tony’s condition continued to worsen. He developed a fever of 104 and later his wife found him passed out on the floor with blue fingertips.
Tony was rushed to the emergency department at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. Not long after being admitted he was placed on a ventilator and spent the next 22 days in a coma.
“I don’t remember much from the first few weeks in the hospital, but my wife told me how the nurses at Lakeland saved my life,” said Tony.
Due to the complexity of his care, Tony would need to be transferred to a specialty hospital in Battle Creek.
“When I was transferred to Battle Creek I couldn’t even speak or move my head,” said Tony. “I didn’t remember that I had COVID-19. I thought I had been in an accident and was paralyzed.”
Tony gradually improved over time and was eventually able to have his tracheostomy and feeding tubes removed. The next step in his journey to healing was to return to Lakeland for inpatient rehabilitation, which helped him gain back his strength and mobility.
“When I was discharged from the hospital in Battle Creek, I was able to move my feet and hands a little,” said Tony. “I could also sit on the edge of the bed for 20 minutes with assistance.”
Tony spent the next month recovering at Spectrum Health Lakeland Watervliet Hospital. With the help of his care team, Tony focused on relearning skills that the average person takes for granted.
“They assured me I was going to walk again but, in that moment, I had such a hard time believing it,” said Tony.
Over the course of his stay, Tony created strong bonds with each member of his care team. He believes those relationships are what helped him accomplish his goals.
“Each therapist helped me in their own special way,” said Tony. “Cindy and Carol were my main physical therapists and they worked great together as a team. Elliot got me walking when I didn’t think I could.”
At just 46 years old, Tony knew he had a lot of life ahead of him and this motivated him to get stronger every day.
“I’m so young I wanted to give it my all during therapy,” said Tony.
It wasn’t just the therapy team that helped Tony recover. He also has as strong appreciation for the nurses who cared for him.
“Mary Defrancesco could always tell when I was having a hard day,” said Tony. “She would talk to me, and I always felt so comfortable around her.”
As Tony was getting closer to being discharged the therapy team performed a home visit to ensure Tony would be able to live on his own and continue to work toward his goals. This also allowed Tony and his care team to recognize any challenges he might have with his living environment and create a plan to address them.
“There were a couple of stairs in my home that were very difficult for me to climb,” said Tony. “Cindy offered suggestions of how we could make it work. We also focused a lot on practicing climbing stairs in my last week of therapy, so I would be prepared to do it on my own. I really appreciated how my therapists focused on my personal goals and needs.”
On the day Tony was discharged from the hospital, he wanted to say goodbye to his nurse Mary, but he couldn’t find her. He was disappointed but knew it was time to go home.
“I was offered a wheelchair, but I was determined to use a walker,” said Tony. When I got to the elevator, I was surprised to find everyone I worked with including Mary waiting to tell me goodbye.”
After three months in the hospital, Tony was overjoyed to be home. He continues at-home physical and occupational therapy and no longer needs to use assistive devices such as shower bars or a walker. He has even started driving short distances. Tony’s next goals are to regain his stamina and eventually return the activities he loves.
“In the winter my wife and I like to snowmobile,” said Tony. “I know I won’t be able to this year but I’m hoping next year I will. In the summer we also spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan in our boat.”
Tony admits he was not vaccinated when he tested positive for COVID-19. But, while he was in the hospital, he made the choice to get his first dose and followed up to receive his second shot when it was time.
“I have so many regrets,” said Tony. “I regret not being vaccinated and not going to the emergency department sooner. However, I’m so thankful to my care team at Lakeland—they saved my life.”
Today, Tony continues to undergo outpatient physical therapy and has returned to work with minor restrictions. Tony and his family said they are beyond grateful to his entire care team at Spectrum Health Lakeland hospitals in St. Joseph and Watervliet and will always remember the kindness and support they offered during a difficult time.
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