Oregon man’s survival after unspeakable battle with COVID-19 a testament to our healthcare heroes
Updated May 07, 2021;
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By Lee Ann Moyer
The man in the video on Karma Sammy’s smartphone plays guitar in a crisply pressed suit. He sings along to the clapping of those around him. His eyes light up the room.
Weeks later, 67-year-old Ken Sammy was dressed in a washed-out hospital gown, paralyzed and unable to speak. His mouth, nose, and throat were riddled with sores from intubations, ventilators, oxygen masks, and feeding tubes. His body was exhausted from its struggle with COVID-19.
He could communicate only with his eyes and he used them, fiercely, to tell nurse Nikky Oldham to back off. She got the message. Even behind gloves, gown, mask, and face shield, she could tell he was afraid.
COVID-19 battles bring out the best in health care heroes
Updated May 09, 2021;
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By Lee Ann Moyer, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
The man in the video on Karma Sammy’s smartphone plays guitar in a crisply pressed suit. He sings along to the clapping of those around him. His eyes light up the room.
Weeks later, her husband, 67-year-old Ken Sammy, was dressed in a washed-out hospital gown, paralyzed and unable to speak. His mouth, nose, and throat were riddled with sores from intubations, ventilators, oxygen masks, and feeding tubes. His body was exhausted from its struggle with COVID-19.