City of Beloit issued the following announcement on July 16.
BELOIT — As she slowly recovers from a near-death battle with COVID-19, Diana Fogderud hopes to start a support group for those who have struggled with the physical and psychological challenges of the vicious virus.
Even after weeks of self-isolating, Diana said friends and family can be scared to see their loved ones which can lead to feelings of abandonment or depression. While Diana said she’s handling her challenges, she worries for those with mental health issues who are in isolation.
Diana and her husband, Dave, pastors at the Overflowing Cup at 1175 S. Madison Road, became ill over Memorial Day weekend and tested positive for COVID-19 during an emergency room visit. The two went home to isolate and recover and on May 30 they gave an interview with the Daily News. However, by the next day their health took a turn for the worse.
“I had no appetite, and everything would taste weird. I could sit in a chair for hours and I had no motivation and didn’t feel right,” Diana said.
Diana, who has been in the hospital for Interstitial Lung Disease over the years, was hit hard by COVID-19. By the end of Memorial Day weekend, she returned to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and was transferred to its Madison hospital. Her oxygen levels had plummeted to 55% and the virus had moved to her lungs
“I was in bed, and praying to God,” she said. “I felt like I wasn’t going to make it.”
Despite her deteriorating condition, Diana was still conscious and was able to communicate with doctors on her treatment options.
Doctors told her they were considering intubatiing her. Diana, 71, said she was concerned about how many people had died on ventilators as well as how the tube could spread the virus.
“I was worried the tube would spread the COVID down deeper. I took a risk when I said ‘don’t intubate me,’” she said. “I was just afraid I wouldn’t survive the ventilation.”
Diana agreed she would follow treatment using a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (Bipap) device alternating with the administration of high-flow oxygen.
She received the antiviral medication Remdesivir, convalescent plasma as well as Dexamethasone to reduce inflammation. She slowly began to recover, staying in the hospital for two weeks and being discharged on June 15.
Meanwhile, Dave had returned to the emergency room due to fatigue and fever and stayed about a week at St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville.
While Dave has made mostly a full recovery, Diana still struggles a bit likely due to her pre-existing lung condition. She still uses low level amounts of oxygen as she increases her exertion.
Original source here.
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