Gary Sereno

On a Friday evening my wife suggested we go to the emergency room. I asked why and she said I was acting funny. I kept refusing saying there is nothing wrong.

In the morning, I was just waking and my wife insisted we go to the hospital. I said after a shower. The next thing I remember is waking up and my youngest daughter was by my bed. I asked where I was. I was told in intensive care Florida Hospital, Altamonte. I asked how long and was told 3 weeks!

I had been put on a ventilator for 3 weeks. Pneumonia (Sepsis and Pneumonia). My kidneys shut down and I was put on dialysis. My heart had been racing uncontrollably. I was in intensive care for 40 days, then transferred to another hospital for rehab. I continued dialysis for another 3 months. This all started August 10, 2013. I returned to work part time in November and back full time in December.

Today, April 2015, I still have joint pain. There is not a day goes by I do not think of my experience. I have met some incredible doctors and nurses. I have also dealt with some not so incredible. Thank God for my wife and her forcing me to go to the hospital and for her patience with me. The ER doctor told her I had about 8 hours left without the ventilator.