Dan’s Story

Site created on September 22, 2021

Welcome to Dan's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.  Dan and I (Jen) were exposed to Covid on Sept 5.  We had typical covid symptoms and did test positive later on in the week.  I reached out to the doctors right away to make sure we were doing all the things we could in recovery.  Lots of zinc, vitamin D, water and monitoring oxygen and fevers.  Dan and I both have had low grade fevers since symptoms started on Sept 8-9.  We noticed Dan's oximeter readings were beginning to be lower a few days ago.  He was dipping down into the low 90's and then coming back up to a good level.  So he started doing daily telehealth appointments with his doctor.  His fever was higher and hanging on since the 9th.  The doctor had him walk around and continually check his oxygen.  On 9/20 they went ahead and said to bring him in to urgent care.  He had a chest x-ray done and more checks.  They could see inflammation in his lungs.  They sent him home with prednisone and said they'd call the next day to check in. 

He talked to the doctor 9/21 in the morning.  The prednisone did have him feeling better but his oxygen level was still low.  At this point, the doctor said to go ahead and have him go to the ER.  We did not want to have him move a lot or sit in a waiting room, so we went ahead and had him taken to Mercy Hospital in Folsom by ambulance.  He was there until around 6pm.  They did diagnose him with viral pneumonia in his lower lungs.  Kaiser (his health insurance) wanted him moved to one of their hospitals.  He was transferred by ambulance around 6pm to Kaiser in Sacramento.  They are giving him oxygen and oral steroids and doing more testing. 

We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  As Dan is experiencing shortness of breath, he is not able to talk on the phone.  He is also not allowed any visitors.  We are thankful for this space for some connection.  We deeply appreciate and believe in all of the prayers, thoughts and love sent to us in this uncertain time. 

Newest Update

October 20, 2021

Journal entry by Jen Heideman —

Hi friends & family,

I wanted to share a short update that recovery at home continues to go great for Dan!  He was able to steadily decrease his oxygen each day since being home.  Much to our surprise, he was able to go off oxygen completely last Saturday!  We've been watching how that goes and it has been good!  Dan has not needed to go back.  He is slowly increasing his daily physical activity as his strength allows.  It still feels like it'll take some time to get energy back, but even that continues to improve.  (Bed time is 9-10 instead of 8pm!)  To celebrate, we went for a nice drive to see some fall leaves!  (We took along portable oxygen just incase!)  Dan loved being able to drive again!  He was able to get out and go for a short walk to take some pictures with me.  😄He has also resumed doing some light cooking, which he really enjoys.  (Chef Dan will be back in full force soon!)  While leaving, one of his nurses recommended drinking "golden milk" which may help with inflammation.  He is now off steroids and has been drinking this daily.  (It's turmeric, cinnamon, honey, coconut oil, milk, and ginger.  He enjoys it!)  Getting back to 100% will take more time and we're going forward slowly and surely!  Thank you again for thinking of us, sending love and prayers.  

Read More of the journal titled "October 20, 2021"
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