NOV 26, updated NOV 29, 2021
COVID-19 skeptic barely survives 102 days in hospital: Oregon man thought ‘it was all a lie’ - oregonlive.com
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On July 14, the independent trucker from Myrtle Creek knew something was wrong.
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Howard’s condition took a drastic turn. ...
One doctor called every hospital in the Pacific Northwest trying to find an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine —
better known as ECMO — to help serve as an artificial lung for the 47-year-old, whose condition was continuing to deteriorate.
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No such machines were available in Oregon, but the doctor at Mercy was able to locate one in Seattle at the University of Washington Medical Center’s Montlake facility. Howard, in a medically induced coma, was transported to Roseburg Regional Airport and flown to Seattle.
“I had no idea,” Howard said of the transfer. “I went to sleep in Roseburg and woke up in Seattle.”
For nearly 100 days, Howard received a medical treatment that temporarily draws blood from the body, provides artificial oxygenation of the blood and returns it to the cardiovascular system.
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“They could wake him up, but it was more of a surface awakening to make sure he still had brain activity,” she said.
“In a coma, you can hear voices but you can’t make out voices,” Howard said. “All I could hear was babbling. I honestly couldn’t remember my name. I knew who I was, but I couldn’t remember my name.”
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Hooty B LLC, the Breidenbachs’ trucking company, is on permanent hold. The truck has been sold, as well as the couple’s home, a sale which was finalized by a “thumbs-up” from Howard via video call.
Howard Breidenbach is now recuperating at his Myrtle Creek home with help from his wife.
During his 102 days in the hospital, Howard missed his 29th wedding anniversary. He was discharged from the hospital on Oct. 27 and had his 48th birthday on Nov. 11.