Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital celebrated the recovery of 75-year-old COVID-19 patient Jim Mastrobuono with a round of applause on Tuesday.

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According to his wife Becky, Mastrobuono had experienced mild symptoms such as a runny nose, cough and minor fever hovering around 100 degrees beginning around March 23.

However, due to his age and other underlying health conditions, his primary care provider suggested that Mastrobuono be tested for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, March 25, the Mastrobuonos went to Kaiser Permanente for testing.

Less than a week later, before the test results had been returned, Jim’s fever spiked to 103.4 degrees. He was disoriented and incoherent, Becky said. The fever broke on the morning of April 1, only to come back with a vengeance that same night.

Becky called 9-1-1, and paramedics helped load her husband into the couple’s vehicle, which she then drove to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Becky would not see her husband for another 13 days.

Photo by Bryant P. Wieczorek/Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

“That was the hardest part of this whole thing, not being able to give the hand squeeze when your husband is in the hospital,” she said.

The day after being admitted, Jim was intubated and placed on a ventilator, far earlier than usual, according to Becky. Her husband’s doctor told her that medical professionals were finding that COVID-19 patients were apparently recovering better with an earlier introduction of the ventilator, instead of waiting for the lungs to fail.

That same day, Kaiser called with Jim’s test results.

“Kaiser called and said he was positive, which at that point, I was thinking, well, yes, we already know that,” said Becky. Kaiser suggested that she be tested as well, and she returned a positive test within 48 hours. She was unsurprised by the results.

Becky said she had presented mild symptoms for some time — so mild they might be considered just her spring allergies acting up. Her symptoms included a mild headache, mild pressure in her chest and some coughing.

Becky stated that they had no idea where they could have picked up the disease.

After over a week on the ventilator, Jim steadily began to improve. His hospital stay would last 13 days.

“That was really scary. For four days I was not doing well physically or emotionally,” Becky said.

After nearly two weeks, Jim was ready to leave the hospital and reunite with his wife, able to breathe without a machine. In honor of the occasion, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital staff prepared a special send-off for him.

Photo by Bryant P. Wieczorek/Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

Hospital staff lined the hallways, offering applause and well-wishes for the Mastrobunos, and congratulating Jim on his recovery.

“It was fabulous. I had no idea there were so many people in the hospital. It was so emotional, my husband was brought to tears,” said Becky. “He was really touched by what the staff did and they need to know that.”

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital staff noted they appreciated being able to see a patient recover, especially in light of recent deaths that have rocked the community.

“It gives all of us at Henry Mayo a big morale boost whenever a patient leaves here and is reunited with loved ones. That, of course, is always our goal, with COVID-19 or any patients,” said President and CEO Roger E. Seaver. “We are very grateful to the Mastrobuono family for allowing us to celebrate with them yesterday. Mr. Mastrobuono’s discharge was a great tribute to the skill, dedication and resolve of our healthcare team of doctors, nurses, therapists and all who support them at Henry Mayo.”

Jim was discharged with orders identical to the ones given to others affected by COVID-19: self-quarantine for at least 10 days, and utilize social distancing practices and personal protective equipment after completing the quarantine.

Though he is still on oxygen, Jim is now recovering at home and attempting to rebuild his strength. He remembers little of his time in the hospital, or even of being sick at all. He suspects that the severe fever he experienced may have something to do with this.

“I don’t even remember being sick,” said Jim. “At some point, you wake up in the hospital and you don’t even remember what happened. You rely on what you’re being told.”

One of the couple’s daughters and her children live nearby, allowing them to wave at their family and check in regularly from a safe distance.

Another daughter is a nurse, although she is self-isolating from her parents in an effort to prevent any potential exposure from threatening them.

The couple mentioned that they are doing better now that the most difficult part of the ordeal is over, and are focusing on recovery and healing.

“So many people are going through so much worse. I would tell them to not give up hope, and to reach out to their community for support,” said Becky. “That was critical for me, to reach out to people so that I knew that their thoughts and prayers were important to helping us get through it.”

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