Karen’s Story

Site created on March 24, 2020

On Monday, March 23, 2020, Karen was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wis. after suffering with symptoms of COVID-19. While we are still awaiting the official test results, the doctors are treating her as a coronavirus patient. 

Her symptoms started the same as you have probably read about with others - dry cough, fever, aches and overall malaise and low energy. Symptoms started early last week and she had her was tested for COVID on Tuesday, March 17th (and we have yet to receive those test results). She does have asthma and was given prednisone (a steroid) to help with her lung health. Her symptoms and condition worsened over this past weekend to the point where she wasn't able to talk without getting winded and having to catch her breath. Her body was working so hard to fight the infection and fever that she had no energy. After a call with one of her doctors, it was decided she needed to go to the emergency room where my Dad was not allowed to stay with her and sent home to quarantine because of his exposure. 

We are currently relying on her care team to provide us updates, but they are overrun and extremely busy in the ICU. We will try to provide updates as we get them, but they are few and far between. Please PRAY that she is strong enough to fight this. 

- The McIntyres (Chuck, Annie, Katie & Becky) 


*** Update 5/12/2020: We'll continue to post updates, but not as frequent as previous days. ***

Newest Update

June 19, 2020

Journal entry by Becky Fluegge —

Update from Karen...

I have been dismissed from occupational therapy and cleared to drive again. Chuck doesn’t plan on letting me go anywhere without him anyway but it still feels like a big deal to me. Physical therapy will continue for several more months which means I still have a ways to go. Progress feels slow but I’m grateful for each and every step. Thank you all again for your prayers. Without them I wouldn’t be here. 

And from Becky...

We really can never thank the hospital and medical staff that have helped in this pandemic, but most importantly what they did for my mom. 

In honor of those “unsung heroes” there will be a small clip of my mom’s discharge in a CBS special, “United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes”, airing this Sunday, June 21 at 7:00 pm CST. 
Read More of the journal titled "June 19, 2020"
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