Life after COVID-19: 2 Philadelphia-area survivors share their stories
PHILADELPHIA - It's been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic first began and it has claimed thousands of lives while scores more have battled the illness.
Brett Breslow and Monty G., both of the Philadelphia area, battled COVID-19 and won but their battles were difficult.
Brett Breslow, 50, had no prior health condition when he felt ill with COVID-19. His condition rapidly deteriorated and he had been hospitalized in the ICU at Cooper University Hospital for over a month.
Likewise, Monty G., a diehard Philadelphia sports fan, ended up hospitalized for a month.
Both men spent time on ventilators, which at the time, was a dark sign of how severe their illnesses were.
"I thought I was going to die," Monty G. told FOX 29. "I thought I was going to go and I couldn't take it. I'm still not taking it good right now. I'm seeing a mental therapist."
Doctors reportedly told Monty G. that it was a good thing he didn't smoke, drink or have a history of diabetes or it's possible he would have died.
Brett Breslow had a similar experience when he was told he was going to be on a ventilator. "Absolutely, I thought that was it," he explained.
Amy Brewslow, his wife, fought hard to get him help said she feared she was going to lose him. "I was really afraid that I was going to lose him but I was in such a fight for his life that I just couldn't give up."
Brett attributes a "certain grit" to Philadelphians that helped him get through his battle of COVID-19.
Both men still are going through recoveries, but are doing much better now.
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