Tommie's Story
In early May, Tommie Allen tested positive for COVID-19 and was sent home to quarantine and recuperate.
Three days later, the 61-year-old’s symptoms, including shortness of breath, worsened and he dialed 911. An ambulance rushed him to the emergency room.
There, doctors also diagnosed pneumonia and admitted Tommie to intensive care. By the next week, he was on a ventilator. Later, surgeons placed a tracheostomy for airway support and a feeding tube. Intravenous medication was administered to address rapid heartbeat.
It took Tommie 19 days to fight through the disease’s worst effects. Once stabilized, doctors transferred him to Select Specialty Hospital – Downriver for additional healing and recovery time.
Tommie arrived in early June, unable to breathe, eat, speak or move independently. Sedated, therapists moved his arms and legs in passive, range of motion exercises to keep blood flowing.
Combined with therapeutic exercises, Tommie became alert enough for nurses and therapists to transfer him via lift into a chair.
Simultaneously, respiratory therapists began trialing monitored bursts of time off the ventilator coupled with coughing, chest and breathing exercises to increase stamina and lung capacity. His first milestone came three days later, when Tommie liberated from the ventilator.
As his mental fog lifted, additional physical therapy began. Like many COVID-19 survivors, Tommie’s entire body was weak. Therapy sessions were spaced in increments, avoiding over-exertion.
Growing stronger every day, Tommie started sitting at the bed’s edge, transitioning to a chair and standing. Airway support was discontinued, returning him to independent breathing.
Occupational therapists then retrained Tommie on daily living activities, such as brushing his teeth and showering with supervision. Speech therapists also taught safe swallowing techniques as he learned to eat again.
In just 28 days, Tommie rebounded from the virus and returned home, supported by visiting health care workers and family.
By August, Tommie was back to enjoying a favorite activity – taking long walks by a nearby lake.