COVID-19 I Survivor’s Diary: Tested Positive
19 June 2020
François stayed almost three months at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.
On March 25, infected with COVID-19, François Quenot is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He and his wife, Geneviève Rioux, tell us about his journey. Diary of a survivor.
Back to the … past
Drawn to Quebec for a long time and following a prospecting trip during which he found work, François decides to give it a try and lands in Quebec.
In 2018, suffering from a full-blown autoimmune disease since 2003 and after a year of dialysis, François, a retired computer architect, undergoes a kidney transplant at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.
And COVID happened
February 29th
In France, François’s mother, who fell ill at the beginning of the year, is hospitalized. She dies on February 29th, the date at which François and his wife, Geneviève, arrive in France.
March 15th, return to Quebec
François is back in Quebec. Geneviève, a CEGEP history teacher, preceded him by a week.
March 17th
François feels like he’s suffering from an ear infection. He also has a slight fever. He consults a doctor over the phone. The doctor prescribes antibiotics… for an ear infection.
His condition is not improving. He even feels that the pain is mostly in his throat. So, he calls the COVID line. He’s advised to call 811 for a screening test.
March 20th
Francois is tested.
March 23rd
On the morning of March 23rd, the verdict comes down. Francois tests positive for VID-COVID-19.
His breathing becomes faster, but by staying in bed, he manages to sleep, and his condition remains bearable.
March 25th
In the morning, Francois’ breathing becomes ever faster. Even in bed, he is short of breath. So, Genevieve calls 911. An ambulance arrives and takes him to the hospital in Gatineau. On site, since he is in respiratory distress and they want to transfer him to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, he is intubated. He will remain intubated for about 50 days.
François and the seven wounds of COVID
Although his level of sedation varied throughout his stay and he was sometimes able to nod in response to questions, François has no recollection of this period.
One thing is certain: he then begins to suffer from every possible and imaginable complication and goes on to fight the battle of his life.
François Quenot’ s story continues
˃ Lisez COVID-19 | Survivor’s Diary: The Battle
˃ Lisez COVID-19 | Survivor’s Diary: Waiting and Distance
| Without your support, the HMR and its teams would not have been ready to face this pandemic. Without your generosity, the Intensive Care Unit staff would not have had the equipment or access to the training required to adapt to the situation in a timely manner.
Your solidarity has made a difference in the past, it makes the difference today in the face of the pandemic, and it will make the difference again tomorrow. |
