Charles’s Story

Site created on January 29, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.

Charlie tested positive for Covid on January 12th. He was taken to the hospital by his parents Teresa and Ed Murphey on Friday January 15th. Allen County quickly got Charlie to Wichita by ambulance where he was admitted to Wesley ICU.

On Saturday January 16th we were told Charlie had Covid pneumonia. His oxygen saturation level was not staying about 90% and it was decided they would sedate Charlie and put him on a ventilator. That first day sedated and on a ventilator was not good and the doctor did not give a good prognosis.

The next few days Charlie was on 100% FIO2 (oxygen), medically sedated, and given a paralytic. He gradually started making small improvements, even getting down to 60% FIO2. During this time the staff has been proning Charlie for 12-16 hours at a time. Proning is when they turn the patient onto their stomach, this allows the oxygen to get deep in the lungs.

Charlie’s stats took a dip today 1/29/2021, one of the lower lobes of his lungs stopped functioning and they performed a bronchoscopy this afternoon/evening. They were able to remove a lot of ‘crud’ and hopefully this will help Charlie get better. They will also prone him again tonight.

That is as much as we know now as of 1/29/2021. We will update here when we get news about Charlie. The family would like to give our sincerest gratitude to everyone who has reached out to check on us and Charlie. All of the positive thoughts, well wishes and prayers have carried us to this point and we need all of them, as this will be a long road. Charlie is strong and is fighting this! His body needs to rest and recuperate.

Sincerely,

The Murphey Family & Tia Brungardt

Newest Update

March 15, 2021

Journal entry by Tia Brungardt —

2 months ago to the day is when Charlie went into the hospital with Covid pneumonia. Today he is back home and had his first rehab appointment. He will be back to his normal self before we know it! This is truly a miracle and Charlie is so happy to be back home in the loving paws of his two dogs Cass and Kahlua. They missed him terribly! He’s spent a lot of quality time with them already! 

We are so thankful for all the love and support you have all given us. Here is to a FULL recovery!! 
Read More of the journal titled "March 15, 2021"
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