Raleigh, North Carolina – Stanley McHenry, who describes himself as a “tough guy,” was a Durham County MP for 31 years before a dangerous brush with COVID-19.
“This (work) prepares you for almost anything that may come, although I don’t know if I was fully prepared for it,” McHenry said.
The 66-year-old said he usually walks three or four miles with his wife. They wear masks in public, maintain social distancing as much as possible, and practice regular hand hygiene. He does not know exactly where he was exposed to the virus.
It was the week before Christmas when the first symptoms of runny nose and mild fatigue appeared, so McHenry was tested for COVID-19.
A day or two later he learned he was positive.
Confusion and brain fog settled in. Shortly afterwards it collapsed at home.
“On Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 27, I have no memory of it,” McHenry said.
At Duke Raleigh Hospital, McHenry developed COPD and needed help breathing.
Her doctor, Dr. Amal Youseff, said many people expect symptoms to worsen before seeking help. “The problem is we don’t know who will do it lightly and who will make it worse,” he said.
After four days in the hospital, McHenry remembers waking up. He panicked, pulled out his IV line, and checked the devices.
“I literally had 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 hospital on Jan. 5 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 is the case with blinded trials, McHenry may or may not have received the drug that can help fight infection and provide temporary immunity.
The trial requirements meant McHenry had to wait 90 days before getting long-term protection with a vaccine.
“So on March 31 I’ll be somewhere with some medical professional putting a needle in my arm. That’s my plan,” he said.
“No one should think you should fight him (COVID-19) on your own,” Youseff said. “It’s a serious illness. Everyone should seek help when they have symptoms or at least get a diagnosis.”
According to Youseff, people who have no decrease in oxygen levels will receive guidance from medical professionals and will be able to quarantine at home.
If more severe symptoms appear, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and most importantly, if a fever is detected, he advises people not to expect the condition to get worse. Seek medical attention immediately.