8 days ago, I was staring at a clock, gasping for air, wondering if I’d ever catch my breath again. Doctors strapped a mask to my face and started sticking tubes in every spot they could.

Simultaneously, I was retching, dry-heaving, and sweating so much I felt like I was in a nasty, hot swimming pool.

I’m happy to say that today, after double pneumonia, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and a half dozen other secondary diagnoses, I’m back at home—very weak, very tired—but resting.

I’m 30 years old, in good health, and COVID-19 nearly got me. Even after taking all the precautions and isolating with my wife for months, it only took one exposure to wipe me out.

Not the New Year’s Eve I would have chosen, but it’s the hand I was dealt.

The doctors, nurses, CNAs, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, food service workers, and every other person at St. Dominic Hospital literally saved my life and have allowed me to come home. Hopefully I can make all their hard work worth it before it’s time to go.

Thank you for letting me see 2021 again. Here’s to a happier, healthier year.