Story by Megan A. Hepler
The past three weeks have been a living nightmare for one Schuylkill County family facing COVID-19.
Thirty-four year old, Tim Bennett, a husband and father of three from Frackville, Pennsylvania began experiencing symptoms of the novel virus on Thursday, March 26th.
Tim’s only pre-existing condition was mild asthma, which is induced by exercise. He indicated that he believed he was most likely exposed at work, or during a trip to the grocery store.
The family heeded warnings from health officials and began taking precautions early on. They feared for the safety of their family since one of their children suffers from severe asthma, also. Tim’s wife, Jennifer Bennett, explained, “we thought we did everything right. When Tim would come home from work he would take off his clothes in the mudroom, put them right in the washer, and washed his hands very well before really coming into the house.”
When Tim’s symptoms began the family immediately took action. When asked what his first symptoms were, Tim said, “headache, cough, fever and shortness of breath. I just didn't feel right. It felt like my body was shutting down similar to when you get the flu.” Tim called the doctor and isolated himself away from his family. He was sent for a test the following day, March 27th. In the meantime, Tim occupied the master bedroom on the second floor of their home and had sole access to their only full bathroom. The rest of the family remained on the first floor throughout the isolation.
Jen stated, “I had to take his food and drinks to him. I would leave them outside his door. I wore a mask every time I went upstairs and washed my hands as soon as I came down. The kids and I all slept in the living room. We had very minimal clothes that we rotated because I wouldn't allow anyone upstairs. Luckily, we have a half bath off the kitchen so we had a toilet. I washed them with a wash cloth from the sink. We have been taking sink baths for two and a half weeks. Emotionally I was a wreck, but stayed strong for the kids.” While Jen was taking care of her husband from a distance and helping their three children with school work, she was also working to complete three graduate classes.
During this time Tim’s condition continued to go downhill. “The cough worsened and it was harder to breath. After four days I began vomiting,” he said. The results came back from his test on Friday, April 3rd after a week in isolation. Tim did have COVID-19. The following day was his thirty-fifth birthday. Despite the isolation, Tim’s Facebook was flooded with birthday wishes, support from family and friends, and get well wishes. Unfortunately, his condition continued to grow worse over the next few days.
Tim said, “The vomiting was progressively worse. I couldn’t keep anything down. My breathing was worse and the fever wouldn't go down. I knew I couldn't self-care at home any longer.” So, on Monday, April 6th Tim was transported by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. He was placed in an area designated for COVID-19 patients in their infectious disease ward. During his hospital stay he had minimal contact with doctors and nurses who kept track of his health by monitors and intercom systems. When staff members were required to enter his room special precautions were taken to avoid spreading the virus. Tim noted that, “once they entered the room they couldn't leave the room until they had a team to scrub them down.”
Jen kept family and friends updated with as much information as possible throughout the experience. Though, she indicated that it was difficult to get information. Wednesday, April 8th she posted on Facebook, “he has a bad infection and pneumonia both from COVID. His temperature and heart rate both won’t come down. He is listed as high risk…Beside that I have no other information. I am not allowed at the hospital so I am only getting information over the phone and that is very little.” Both Jen and Tim admitted that their primary means of communication with one another was through texts, because of Tim’s condition.
Friday, April 10th Jen provided another update on Tim’s condition. “His doctor called, Tim had a bad night. His oxygen levels keep dropping very low they didn't give me numbers…A few minutes ago the ICU Doctor was in to talk to Tim. She is very hopeful this can be fixed without intubation. May still end up in the ICU only because they are going to start a nebulizer and they can control the mist that comes out over there. If that does not work the next step will be the vent.” During his hospital stay, Tim was treated with a combination of medications commonly used for Malaria and two different types of inhalers. The treatment worked and he eventually began to stabilize.
The Easter holiday was very different for their family this year and there was not much celebration. Jen and the kids attended mass online and the children received Easter Baskets, but their holiday remained calm without Tim there. However, good news arrived on Monday, April 13th. Jen shared, “Prayers have been answered, Tim is being discharge. The COVID is gone. He is still fighting the pneumonia but it is under control and his stats are good enough for him to come home. He made such a drastic change in the last forty-eight hours. I one hundred percent believe it was the power of prayer from all of you. I will never be able to thank everyone for what you all have done for us. We still have one week of isolation left but I believe the nightmare is finally ending.”
Through the experience the Bennetts dealt with a lot of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Those feelings were not only for Tim, but for the entire family. Tim said that some of the emotions he felt were, “scared, worried that I was going to get my family sick and afraid of long term effects especially when I couldn't get over it.”
Jen stated that she was, “very scared, not just for him but for myself and the kids. Having this inside your home is a fear that can't be explained.”
Their three children experienced a range of emotions, including fear as well. Annabelle (11), Katie (9), and Jake (6) worried about their father. Annabelle said, “we sent him pictures, colored Easter eggs with get well messages and face timed him on Easter.” The kids are all happy to have their dad back at home.
Despite the joy they all feel to be reunited with Tim, there is still concern about the future. Jen said that even though the doctors confirmed that Tim is no longer contagious the fear is still there. Tim also stated that he is both, “happy and nervous [to be home]. I was comfortable with the decision but was worried about the progression of the pneumonia. Knowing that it could take weeks made me worry I could end up back in the hospital.” For now his plan is to rest and recover while their family remains in isolation.
Tim and Jen both stress the seriousness of COVID-19. Tim said, “practice social distancing. It can be spread so easily and people don’t realize how bad this really could be.”
Jen added, “everyone needs to take this seriously. It is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The nightmare we just lived was horrible.”