Scott's Story
Coming back from COVID
Scott Meszar enjoys the rural life in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The 45-year-old walks in the woods, spends time with family and works with his hands.
Employed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Scott isn’t sure how he acquired the infection.
He recalls waking up and realizing he could smell neither brewing coffee nor cologne as he got ready for work. Soon, he had a painful headache. Scott went urgent, care; there, he tested positive for COVID and went home to quarantine.
Three days later, Scott realized breathing was becoming more difficult and coughing was persistent – despite numerous inhaler and nebulizer treatments.
Scott called his brother, Tim, who lives 15 minutes away and asked if he would drive him to Westmoreland Regional Hospital. Scott was treated and sent back home.
Forty-eight hours later, Scott knew he needed helped. He called a friend, Bo, and said “I need you to take me to the ER.” This time, he was admitted.
Doctors worked tirelessly treating Scott, but he continued to decline and was placed on a ventilator. Later, airway support and a feeding tube were connected.
After weeks of fighting, he stabilized enough to be transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – Laurel Highlands.
A physician-led team, including nurses and therapists, created a recovery path to Scott to return to independence.
After improving his lung capacity with breathing exercises, respiratory therapists began liberation trials – gradually reducing ventilator settings and allowing the lungs to take over.
Simultaneously, physical and occupational therapists moved Scott’s body while he was sedated. At first, they used a range of motion arm and leg exercises to keep blood flowing. As he became more alert, he actively participated in the physical therapy sessions.
Occupational therapists taught him how to dress without leaving the bed.
“One of my biggest challenges while at Select Specialty Hospital was completing daily activities that once seemed very easy. You don’t realize how much energy you burn just trying to chew food”, Scott said. “Basically, at one point, I was considered a quadriplegic. I had to learn how to do everything again... breath, talk, chew, sit, stand, walk, wash, dress. And I was doing all of this with a bedsore wound the size of a grapefruit" on his backside.
Despite all the success, Scott, an avid walker, noticed he could not get far without his lungs feeling as if they were being squeezed.
“I used to walk three miles a day,” he said. “But with physical therapy, I felt that I had to learn how to walk all over again.”
Through continued therapy and support, Scott was able to return to breathing without assistance.
“The team at Select pushed me because they wanted me to succeed. They know when to push and when to let you rest.” After the ventilator was removed, Scott boasted, “Select has the best respiratory therapists. They’re caring, supportive, and knowledgeable.”
Speech therapists then worked with the dietitian to transition Scott back to regular meals, using foods and liquids of increasingly thicker textures.
Having met his goals, Scott departed for an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, where he spent two weeks undergoing additional physical, occupational, speech and dietary therapy.
From there, Scott spent nine months living with his mother, supported by home health, while his body healed. He also underwent several procedures to dilate his airway and remove scar tissue. He’s pleased to have progressed enough to only need nasal oxygen support at night.
After experiencing COVID-19, Scott looked forward to resuming to his daily walks and normal life. Though he doesn’t question why he became sick, he understands how close to death he came.
More than a year past his battle, Scott has been labeled a “long-haul COVID” survivor. He still deals with lingering joint and muscle pain, memory loss and possible lung damage.
“I am more than willing to share my story and medical information to help anyone physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually,” he said. “My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all of those that have lost friends and loved ones. And to all of the medical staff and professionals that have had to watch it. I do my best to keep things in perspective. I thank God and take it one day at a time. Ten months ago, I could barely get out of bed and walk ten steps to the bathroom. Now, I am able to usually get out daily and walk one to two miles, depending on other activities going on. Thank you all for your help and God Bless.”
Scott’s returned to his own home. For Halloween this year, he dressed as “Mister Miracle” – a hero in the DC Comics universe who endured near-constant pain and suffering, but emerged unbroken and hopeful.