A Baldwin man is back home after spending 71 days in the hospital battling COVID-19.
What started with a bad cough was soon diagnosed as pneumonia. Roosevelt Hudson then started feeling very weak. He and his wife, Rita, decided he needed to be tested for COVID-19, but the testing site they visited was full. They then went to Franklin Foundation Hospital, where Roosevelt was admitted and tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
He was admitted on July 8, and spent the next nearly three months in the hospital. Roosevelt was put on a ventilator for 25 days, and nurses told Rita several times that they were afraid her husband wouldn't make it.
While he was there, family members weren't allowed to visit, so his nurse set up a video chat so they could talk to Roosevelt.
"He really and truly to this day doesn't remember none of this, but we were able to see him. And while we were seeing him, we prayed with him," said Rita. "I told him he knows the Lord and the Lord knows him. He just needs to ask the Lord to give him the strength that he needs."
Roosevelt was released on Wednesday to go home to his family, where he's still recovering. The staff at Franklin Foundation Hospital sent him off, staff lining the halls cheering him on. COVID-19 is just another obstacle he's endured: he's also battled cancer, suffered heart attacks, and fought a battle with cancer. His family is thankful he's been given another chance.
"The Lord saw a reason for him to be here, and I thank God for it. We didn't think he was going to make it, but I didn't give up," said Rita. "I just let go and let God."
Rita now has a message for others in the community.
"It is real. We need to be aware of that. Be safe, that's the main thing. It's not over with yet, and it's not something you want to go through. Pray and stay safe."
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