Although there are many tragic moments about the spread of the coronavirus, there are many positive moments about families celebrating homecomings.
John Carothers was hospitalized on March 23 with COVID-19 and spent weeks breathing with the help of a mechanical ventilator and is still dealing with the effects of the virus.
Around March 15 Carothers had a sore throat, was coughing and thought he was coming down with a cold or flu. Over the next few days, he took Tylenol to try and suppress his symptoms.
“I tried to cut the grass and I couldn’t catch my breath, so my wife called the hospital for a virtual appointment,” Carothers said.
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His test results came back positive for COVID-19, and the assault on his body was quick. Much like pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs, the coronavirus caused severe distress on Carothers lungs, so he was placed on a ventilator.
At some point, Carothers said he began hallucinating and tried to pull out his ventilator tube. For his own safety, his hands were restrained.
Over the course of the next 14 days, Carothers said his recovery was touch and go.
“I wasn’t eating much. I was always tired,” he said. “I just thought it was over with because I was hearing stories with people who had the virus and didn’t make it.”
A former college wrestler and retired Charlotte firefighter, he appears to be the picture of health, but lost 20 pounds and his equilibrium keeps him unsteady.
The days spent in the hospital were the most daunting for him.
“My son got married two years ago, and I thought I won’t be able to see my grandkids," he said. “I had to turn the television off because I was seeing things that were a year down the road that I didn’t think I’d see.”
He was only able to see his wife when they had video phone calls. Those were the moments he cherished. Thankfully, he improved enough to be released from the hospital on April 7.
“I started walking around a little bit and getting on the treadmill and my energy level is getting better,” he said. “My cardio is getting better.”
Carothers isn’t sure when he was infected, but he suspects it was at a few large events he attended at the end of February.
His sense of despair in the hospital has given Carothers a desire to share his story with others.
“I’m still healing. I had a lot of prayers,” Carothers said. “I’m just grateful that I was spared this time and didn’t give up.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with his medical expenses.
YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO JOHN CAROTHERS GOFUNDME.
If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.