Tony’s COVID-19 Hospitalization and His Wife’s Advocacy

Tony tested positive for COVID-19 on August 6th, 2021.

When his breathing worsened seven days later, he was-- he contacted his doctor and he was prescribed steroids.

Prior to that, there was no early treatment.

He was told to remain home unless his condition worsened and couldn't breathe.

On August 15th, after his oxygen level had fallen into the 80s, his doctor instructed us to go to the hospital.

She said we couldn't get oxygen to the house even though his oxygen right then was 93%. She still sent him.

I drove him. It's the worst mistake of my life.

For the first five days, visitors were prohibited even though we had waited for hours in a crowded emergency room. Makes no sense.

Tony's oxygen level was initially around 94 to 95%.

He texted me that staff said his levels were acceptable, but needed a reason to keep him overnight.

Records I later reviewed showed he was then given remdesivir, including a double dose.

On day two, his records showed kidney failure and a possible heart attack, but we were never informed during his hospitalization.

Tony said staff rarely entered his room.

He was lonely, he was frightened, and he focused constantly on breathing.

These patients were so brave. I just need to say that.

Every day...

Yeah. Every day, I requested permission to visit him and ask for treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, high-dose vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, and ivermectin. The doctors refused, saying the treatments were unapproved, unavailable, or wouldn't work.

I left messages for doctors daily. Nobody returned my calls until day five.

After 10 days in the hospital, the doctor said to him, "There are no more COVID meds."

But then another angel doctor, my husband called her an angel doctor, ordered ivermectin.

Tony, at that time, was receiving 100% high-flow oxygen and using a rebreather mask.

Within three days of taking ivermectin, 12 milligrams only, he improved enough to come off high-flow oxygen and was only on six liters of regular oxygen.

Then they casually told him he might go home within a day or two and we have to get him down to three liters.

The day before getting ivermectin, he was told, I said that already, "There are no more COVID meds.

We have done the protocol. There is nothing more we can do," was the exact quote.

They told my husband he is not going to make it.

He texted me that. He was a hostage in that hospital.

Early the next morning, Tony woke up with shortness of breath and he repeatedly pressed the nurse call button, but no one answered.

The nurse apologized that they were all at lunch.

Then they sent him to ICU and then, when ivermectin and breathing treatments stopped.

Are you no- are you guys noticing today the stories?

Isn't there a common theme here? Cheap, effective treatment was withheld or stopped.

They continued to pressure him to accept ventilation, telling him he needed to, quote, "Rest his lungs." We've all heard that before.

The head ICU doctor told me to, quote, "Stay in my lane" after asking for ivermectin again.

They never allowed him to have it again.

After they put him on a ventilator, they punctured his lungs.

Tony died on September 9th, 2021. Every single doctor's note on his medical records says unvaccinated male.

In the end, his heart and kidneys failed.

I watched the monitors myself. One day, he texted me that he had seen five body bags pass his room.

The final five days, he texted me, "Why are they not bringing me food?"

He struggled to receive water, ice, and basic care.

He was not placed in a hospital gown the entire time until the final hour of his life.

He begged to be bathed or brush his teeth.

Tony contacted AHCA, Agency for Healthcare Administration.

He emailed the governor and the news media, but he received no response.

So I responded. I created a documentary called Making a Killing to tell his story and others to help prevent others from suffering.

Tony suffered terribly as-- and suffocated slowly.

I continue to ask, where was his right to try?

Our family deserves answers, accountability, transparency, and assurance that no patient will endure what Tony endured.

I am a widow warrior, and I won't stop.

Finish the story. Just tell them, tell them that it's- I won't stop.

I won't stop sharing his story and others so that this never happens again. We are here today to res- represent everyone, everyone that died.

Thank you.