Mike Berry, his wife Kari, and their four kids contracted COVID-19 in January. Mike, who was active with no underlying conditions, suffered severe symptoms and nearly lost his life.<\/p>\n
I woke up in the hospital with a body that didnt function anymore, Mike said. I had to learn how to breathe, walk, stand, sit. All the things we take for granted. My main goal through it all was to be back with my family.<\/p>\n
Eight months later, hes still fighting to get better.<\/p>\n
My life now revolves around physical therapy and kidney dialysis three times a week, Mike said. Any activity, even talking, makes it difficult for me to breathe. I'm on oxygen 24\/7. The longest lasting effects have been kidney failure, which Im in right now, and lung damage.<\/p>\n
TMJ4<\/p>\n
Submitted<\/p>\n
We don't want to have to see others go through the same thing, said Keri, Mikes wife. Just because youre lucky enough to survive COVID-19, doesnt mean its over. Our lives are forever changed.<\/p>\n
We spoke with a young woman named Abigail who decided to speak out for the same reason.<\/p>\n
I wouldnt wish this on anyone, Abigail said.<\/p>\n
TMJ4<\/p>\n
Abigail works in healthcare and contracted COVID-19 in March of 2020. Her case was much less severe, but like Mike, she still suffers from persistent side effects of the virus, months after beating it.<\/p>\n
I slowly started to notice my functioning kept worsening, Abigail said. The new phase of this has been debilitating migraines. For me, the aftereffects have been worse than the actual virus.<\/p>\n
These COVID-19 survivors with lingering symptoms are known as long-haulers.<\/p>\n
According to a study from the University of Washington, more than one in four COVID-19 patients are long-haulers.<\/p>\n
Some of the most common long-haul COVID-19 systems are breathing difficulties, extreme fatigue, brain fog, and kidney problems. But doctors say people have also reported digestion issues, hair loss, heart problems, anxiety, and depression.<\/p>\n
Abigail has found some help through a program at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin called the Post-Covid Multi-Specialty Clinic, which is seeing a lot of these long haulers.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rahul Nanchal, who is a critical care provider in the Intensive Care Unit, is among those leading the clinic.<\/p>\n
This is the first time in a very long time weve seen a new infectious disease that has affected millions of people in such a short amount of time, said Dr. Nanchal. We are charting a new course in all of this and are trying to provide care as best we can. People are suffering from these long-term symptoms. Its affecting their quality of life. The more we endeavor to monitor them, and help them, the faster we can find solutions.<\/p>\n
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Father recovering from severe COVID-19 symptoms 8 months later - WTMJ-TV<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mike Berry, his wife Kari, and their four kids contracted COVID-19 in January. Mike, who was active with no underlying conditions, suffered severe symptoms and nearly lost his life. I woke up in the hospital with a body that didnt function anymore, Mike said. Continue reading