If you ask Angelo about TCCH Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Sherise Stark, he smiles and says, “She is awesome. She saved my life.”

Angelo was praying he would arrive home safely after work on a Monday night. He had been feeling ill and coughing blood since Saturday. Angelo thought he had a summer cold and could fight through it. His drive home convinced him otherwise, “I’m driving on 95 and I can feel my life leaving my body. I was so lightheaded. I was fighting to get home and I don’t know how, but I made it home. I was very grateful.”

Admittedly stubborn, realizing he could have caused an accident and with his teenage daughter in mind, Angelo went to the TCCH Sebastian health center Tuesday morning. He and his daughter are long-time patients of TCCH, so he trusted their medical care. “I could have gone anywhere, but I choose to go to TCCH. I knew I was in good hands,” Angelo said.

When Stark watched Angelo walk into the office, struggling to breathe, she immediately acted. He credits her and the Sebastian team for saving his life. Stark described him as, “Visibly working hard to breath, which I found unusual for a man who looked muscularly fit. His oxygen level was 75%; normal range is 94 – 100%.” Stark’s previous work as a hospitalist and treating COVID-19 infections lead her to believe he had the virus. One medical assistant started oxygen and another called 911 for an ambulance. As a single father, Angelo initially did not want to be transferred to the hospital. “I looked him in the eyes and said, ‘You are going to the hospital.’ I explained that his oxygen levels were so low I was surprised he made it to the office. If he had waited a few more hours he would have died. He was beyond pill antibiotics and needed IV medications,” Stark said.

Angelo was diagnosed with the COVID-19 Delta variant and 22% lung damage. He spent 12 days in the hospital, “fighting for my life.” Angelo still suffers fatigue, a lingering effect of COVID, but his lungs have returned to normal.

“Going forward. I don’t make those type of calls any more. I thought I could fight it off and that’s my biggest regret because my daughter could’ve lost her father. My being hard headed — I will never, ever in my life do such a thing every again. It’s not worth it. I am very humble. Very grateful,” Angelo said, promising not to take risks anymore.

Angelo continued to see Stark for follow up appointments to check on the health of his lungs and receive clearance to return to work.

When asked if Angelo will remain TCCH patient for life, he said, “I’m not going anywhere.”