Jim’s COVID Recovery

Jim came down with COVID-19 on October 13 this year.  He was admitted to Littleton Adventist Hospital in Denver, Colorado on October 23. He received antibiotics, steroids, antivirals and other medications to stabilize his health. He was immediately started on hi flow oxygen. However, he declined further and was placed on a ventilator on  10/30.  The ventilator did not improve his condition.  On 11/2/30 he was emergently transported to Porter Hospital in north Denver and was started on an advanced life support machine called Ecmo.  This machine circulates and oxygenates the blood so the lungs do not have to.  It's the same technology used during heart and lung transplants to keep patients alive.  Jim is currently in a medically induced coma.  He is considered to be among the most severe cases of COVID-19.

Update as of 11/12/2020: Jim is still in critical condition on the Intensive Care Unit at Porter Hospital in Denver.  They will be placing a tracheostomy today and he remains on advanced life support (Ecmo).  The last estimate we were given was that he would likely be on advanced life support 20-40 more days.  We have no sense at this time about when he will get out of the hospital.

After he is released from hospital, Jim will have a long recovery time including rehabilitation, probably home health care,  and may not be able to return to work for many months. With GoFundme donations available for Jim when
he leaves the hospital, he will be able to go forward with his recovery.

On the positive side, before Jim came down with COVID-19 he was in good health and is fairly young (49).  He had no pre-existing conditions and was not on any medications.  We are all praying for his recovery.