Hervé Monchalin has just found his home in Araules after four months of hospitalization due to Covid-19. Near death, he is rebuilding himself as a family.
Plastics worker in Sainte-Sigolène, Hervé Monchalin is not the type to complain. Still active, he had undertaken to build a garage at his home in Araules, at the foot of Lizieux. But this work is stopped and the forty-something will resume it when he has recovered all his health.
13 kg lost
In the space of a few weeks, he lost more than 13 kg including a good part of his muscles. To the point of not being able to press the remote control of the TV in his hospital room.
Five operations and infections
It all started on October 13th. Back from his work day, he is tired. His wife and daughter had the Covid during the first confinement in March. But not him. This diagnosis was not the first lead, but the attending physician preferred to order a test. The exam revealed a positive Covid test. Ten days pass when Hervé Monchalin’s state of health suddenly deteriorates. This is emergency hospitalization at the HPL of Saint-Etienne. The lungs are then taken at 80%. On October 29, he was intubated and placed in an artificial coma until December 2. He undergoes five operations during that month, the lungs are infected, a hematoma in the liver is detected, the gallbladder is necrotic, a stomach ulcer is found. “He passed very close to death,” assures his wife Angélique Monchalin, who had the Covid twice in 2020.
The black hole for a month
Hervé Monchalin has no memory. “When I woke up, I saw that it was December. My last memory went back to October 22. I wondered what could have happened. “
Caregivers with great care
From the HPL, the Hydraulais is transferred to the North Hospital from December 18 to January 5 then to Bellevue until February 10 where he began his rehabilitation. “Little by little, it comes back. I still have shortness of breath, fatigue. I am told it will come back but it will take time. »Regain strength before returning to work.
A change of mind on the Covid
“I am a miracle,” continues Hervé Monchalin who was able to count on the help and support of family and friends. The couple highlights the continued benevolence of caregivers from all hospitals who took the time to explain the situation.
After this episode, their outlook on Covid-19 has changed a lot. “Today, we take it differently. When we see that some laugh about it, we can testify that this disease really exists and it can quickly turn. However, we did not take any risks, it was home-job. “
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