DAYTON — Mike Crump was released from Christ Hospital yesterday, returning home after a long stay away from family.
FIRST REPORT
Mike Crump, who is from the Dayton area, is looking forward to the day when he can walk out of the hospital, and go home, but he is still working up the strength.
“I am so nervous, yet so ready for it,” Crump told Newscenter 7’s Katy Andersen. “It will be emotional. It will be emotional to pull up in front of my house and be able to just walk into my house.”
The 50-year-old and father of 6 has been at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati since April 6, 2020, fighting a grueling battle against COVID-19 along with two types of pneumonia.
“The day I walked into the hospital was the day my life changed,” Crump said.
Crump said his symptoms started with being tired and light-headed. Three days later, he went to the hospital and was immediately put on a ventilator. He didn’t come off it for 38 days.
“I don't remember anything in those 38 days, and not being able to speak to my family, or talk to anybody, or touch their hands - that was a long period of time,” Crump said.
During that time, Crump lost 50 pounds of muscle and basic motor skills. He now has physical therapy sessions for several hours every morning.
“The muscle is not there,” Crump said. “The ability to hold a pen and write. The ability to go to the kitchen to go and get something to drink, it's not there and that's what I am working on this moment.”
Crump said while he is working toward getting his strength back, he wanted to share his story so others will take COVID-19 seriously. “It is out there. People are getting sick from it. Use your social distancing, use your mask, be aware of your surroundings.”
Crump said he hopes to be released from the hospital the week of June 8, 2020. He will then have to continue physical therapy classes for several weeks.