WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Candace Quinn, once a hard-working Director of Nursing at a rehabilitation facility, found her life drastically altered whenCOVID-19started.
Quinn, who believes she contracted the virus from an infected patient, recounted her experience of battling the illness that left her fighting for her life.
As COVID-19 cases emerged, Quinn’s health rapidly deteriorated. “I was intubated for three weeks. They told my family that I was going to pass away. They told my family. They told me I had COVID,” said Quinn.
Quinn miraculously pulled through at Griffin Hospital. However, her journey to recovery was far from over.
Transferred toGaylord Specialty Healthcarein Wallingford, Quinn spent six weeks as an inpatient, undergoing intensive physical and speech rehabilitation. COVID-19 took away her ability to stand, walk, and speak clearly.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by COVID-19 survivors like Quinn, Gaylord’s Director of Outpatient Services,Dr. Jerrold Kaplan, initiated tailored support services, includingsupport groupsand one of the nation’s fewlong-term COVID clinics.
Dr. Kaplan shed light on the devastating impact of COVID-19 on patients’ health.
“Their respiratory system, their cardiac system, their brain or cognitive function, their ability to walk. So it really can be devastating,” said Kaplan.
Dr. Kaplan said more recently the most common problems patients are facing are brain fog and the inability to tolerate exercise. He said the search continues for the right medications or natural remedies
While forced to retire from her nursing career due to lingering effects, she has regained her strength, now capable of walking several miles daily.
