×

Hospital scenario not good if risking severe COVID

EDITOR:

As October begins, I have to reminisce about an October 32 years ago. On Oct. 4, I entered St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., for a surgery the next day. There was a very good chance that I had esophageal cancer, but going in the doctors were still not positive. There was no MRI at that time, it was just being built between Bellin and St. Vincent hospitals and was not online so with just “scopes” and CT scan available, they had to make an educated guess with the end result depending on what they found when they did the surgery. It was the least-desired diagnosis and it was indeed esophageal cancer. I had a less then 8% survival chance, but survive I did. I was in intensive care for 12 days, with tubes entering my body by my nose, mouth and several incisions in my trunk. I had to “eat” Ensure through a tube inserted into what was left of my stomach, most of which was removed along with all of my esophagus. There was much more to it than that, but you should get the picture. Did I mention that both hands and one leg were tied to the bed to keep me from pulling out any of the tubes. I was pretty much out of it, asleep due to medication. Twelve days. After that, I transitioned down to less-invasive tactics but still was too weak to do more than lay there and let time pass. The 32 years since have been a potpourri of digestive “fun,” and with age the fun grows.

Now that I have set the stage, I will press on. Some of you demand your freedom. You refuse to recognize COVID-19 and you refuse to do simple things that could prevent it. You imagine you won’t get it and maybe you will be right. Maybe. But if you are wrong, reread the above. That is what you might be looking at to survive, if you survive. Does being tied to a bed with tubes stuck into your body and machines keeping you going sound like your idea of freedom? I wonder. Well, far be it from me to tell you what to do. I have said all I can. I hope your gamble pays off and, if not, I hope you survive. But if worse comes to worst and you are in intensive care tied to a bed and fastened with tubes and gadgets, please remember I gave you my 2 cents’ worth while you could still do the intelligent thing. Maybe you want to check with your doctor just one more time. While you still have time.

The best to all of you.

Donald Lison

Florence, Wis.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today