Millard Fillmore Suburban Blood Draw
Photos: Valerie Brown's journey through Covid-19
Valerie Brown went on a journey with Covid-19 that she never expected. Brown tested positive in the middle of February and 10 days later she found herself at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital with great difficulty breathing. The following photographs follow her three-month journey through this frightening time in the hospital, through recovery and finally back to her job at Stanley G. Falk school where she is an American Sign Language teacher.
Hard to breathe
Valerie Brown adjusts her non-rebreather mask that supplies her with oxygen, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. It takes a lot of her energy just to do that. Brown, 61, of Lancaster, was brought by ambulance to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital with Covid-19 distress on Feb. 23.
Plenty of oxygen
Respiratory therapist Julie Vacanti adjusts Valerie Brown's oxygen level a little bit, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. Brown is receiving 18 liters of oxygen through high-flow oxygen therapy to keep her blood oxygen saturation above 90%. A typical patient with breathing issues will normally need only 2 to 4 liters of oxygen. Some Covid-19 patients need up to 30 liters.
A daughter's devotion
Valerie Brown gets a call from her daughter Tonya Labus, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. Labus, Brown's only child, called Brown every day and was a strong advocate for her mother, talking to nurses or doctors daily. It's Brown's first full day in the hospital and already she misses her family.
A little help
Brown gets a scan of her chest to see if she has any blood clots in her lungs, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Nurse Karen Campbell helps Brown onto the bed for the scan.
CT scan
Blood clots in the lungs are common for those with advanced cases of Covid-19. CT technician Kim Stoll, left, and nurse Karen Campbell prepare Brown to go into the scanner.
Almost ready
Brown must hold her arms up as she is moved into the CT scanner Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Once she's ready to be scanned, everyone must leave the room because the technology uses radiation. On right, getting her into place is nurse Karen Campbell.
Finding blood clots
The CT scan does end up revealing that she has some small blood clots in one of her lungs that were likely caused by the Covid infection.
Determined to survive
Nurse Sarah Dempsey works with patient Valerie Brown on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Dempsey said, "Val was very determined to get better ... she was going to go back to work."
Finding inspiration
Brown's energy level visibly changes as she sings one of her favorite gospel songs, "I Never Would Have Made It" by Marvin Sapp. She draws strength from her Christian faith and looks for gospel music on her phone to find encouragement, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.
The illness drags on
It's Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Brown has been in the hospital for a week and she isn't getting better. "I was scared that I was going to die alone and leave my daughter and my family," she later said.
A marked improvement
In the past day, Valerie Brown's condition has improved significantly. She has gone from 18 liters of oxygen to 2 liters, so she no longer needs the non-rebreather mask. She has tested negative for Covid-19 and is no longer considered contagious. She begins treatment with the incentive spirometer to keep her lungs open and prevent pneumonia, Friday, March. 5, 2021. Nurse Neisha Anderson watches Brown use it for the first time.
Addressing a problem
Brown is clearly feeling better as she gets a visit from physician's assistant Leah Gorsline, Friday, March. 5, 2021. They discuss the pain Brown had been experiencing in her side when she coughs. They found that there had been some internal bleeding from her stomach muscles due to the blood thinners given for the blood clots in her lungs. After the medication was balanced, the bleeding stopped.
Gratitude
After two weeks, Brown is ready to be discharged and eager to go home. Brown and nurse Marilyn Meyers joke around when Brown receives her last hospital dinner, Tuesday, March. 9, 2021. Brown had high praise for the medical staff, especially the nurses. "Those nurses were stinkin' phenomenal and they were wonderful to me."
Learning a new lifestyle
While in the hospital, Brown found out she is diabetic. Now that it's time for her to go home, nurse Marilyn Meyers makes sure Brown is well-versed in getting her glucose reading and giving herself an insulin shot, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. She pricks her finger to take a glucose test.
Getting ready for discharge
Nurse Marilyn Meyers watches carefully to make sure Brown correctly fills her syringe with insulin. She's about to give herself her first insulin shot.
Emotional reunion
Brown is beside herself with joy as her sister Karen McClearn arrives to take her home, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. They haven't seen each other in two weeks.
Going home
Brown's sister Karen McClearn, right, helps her out of the wheelchair to get into the car. She's going home to the condominium they share in Lancaster. McLearn also got Covid-19 after her sister, but she had a mild case.
At home
While at home for nearly a week, Brown shows Visiting Nursing Association R.N. Melissa Varga what her arms look like from the hospital IVs and all the blood draws, Monday, March 15, 2021. Varga, who visits twice a week, checks Brown's vitals, focuses on how she's breathing, takes blood and goes over her lab work and diet. Brown is on medication due to the blood clots she had in her lungs.
Blood draw
Brown holds gauze over the area where R.N. Melissa Varga from the VNA drew blood, Monday, March 15, 2021.
Keep moving
Brown walks up and down the hallway twice daily as part of her exercise regimen given to her by the physical therapist. Her big goal is to be able to go up and down the stairs. On the night she got home from the hospital, she ascended the stairs to her bedroom with great difficulty. It's been about a week and she hasn't been back down.
Missing staff and students from school
Brown gets a visit from her teacher aide Madison Alleva who brought flowers from some staff members as well as cards from staff and students, Tuesday, March 16, 2021. She begins to cry as she reads Alleva's card. The two work together every day.
Well wishes
Brown joyfully reads a stack of cards, Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Since Brown is a sign language teacher, one of the teachers gives her a card wishing her to get well soon written in sign.
Doing exercises
Her physical therapist Michelle Derkovitz from the VNA goes through exercises with Brown during her visit.
Bringing dinner
Brown's sister Karen McLearn, takes a break from work to come home and make her dinner, Tuesday, March 16, 2021. McLearn has been a dedicated caretaker since Brown got home from the hospital. Since Brown is a diabetic and on blood thinners, she's on a specific diet.
Up and down the stairs
Brown has no problem going up and down the stairs during a session with VNA physical therapist Michelle Derkovitz, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Derkovitz measures her oxygen when she gets to the bottom and it's at a healthy level.
Getting out and walking
VNA physical therapist Michelle Derkovitz sees Valerie Brown for the final time, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. She has Brown walk outside to make sure her oxygen saturation is good.
Another milestone
Derkovitz gives Brown an elbow bump as she deems her healthy enough to discharge her.
Happy birthday
Brown's daughter Tonya Labus takes her out to dinner for her 62nd birthday, Friday, April 16, 2021. In center is Griffon Gastro Pub server Khadija Merriweather. Brown has been recovering well and looks to get back to work soon. She said her time at home recovering was mundane, but she was OK with that. "I'm glad I'm still here," she said.
First day back to work
It's a happy day for Brown as she enters work at Stanley G. Falk School in Cheektowaga after more than three months of recovery Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Brown, a sign language teacher was last in school on Feb. 12.
The reunions begin
The first person she sees as she comes in the employee entrance in the back is Food Service Manager Kathy Genetti.
A welcome hug
She stops when entering her classroom, touched by the decorations put up for her return. She is greeted by teacher Pete Canney along with other staff members filing into her room to welcome her back.
Coworkers celebrate
It's an emotional reunion for Brown and her teacher aide Madison Alleva. The two work together every day.
Elated
Madison Alleva, Brown's teacher aide, is elated over her partner's return.
Emotional reunion
Brown has an emotional reunion with Principal Nicole Timm. Brown shared how supportive Timm was during her illness. "She was absolutely great! She eased my worries about not being able to work. She called to check on how I was doing and always let me know how much I was missed."
Back in action
First period begins. She has two of her students on video, Chris Bednasz-Shareno, left, and Shadow Young as well as Evan Steffans in the classroom. She is frustrated to hear that some students haven't been showing up to class.
A little review
During first period, she does signing review with students.
Student and teacher bond
Brown and second period student Bobby Crawford are happy to see each other. Crawford, who is a graduating senior, has been her student since 10th grade.
Good to be back
Brown asks her second-period class about their post-graduation plans. She talks to senior Nicholas Chassin. She's going to miss her seniors who will be gone in a few weeks, but she's glad she got to see them before graduation.
Millard Fillmore Suburban Blood Draw
Source: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/photos-valerie-browns-journey-through-covid-19/collection_0b6d56a2-c545-11eb-98c5-cb9f546085f6.html
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