The public relations specialist said that he was perfectly healthy when he fell sick from COVID-19. Unfortunately, he spent three weeks in the ICU and 13 days on a ventilator fighting for his life. The man, who was fully vaccinated against COVID, says that he experienced delirium and was incapacitated for days, and had no legal document stating how he wished to move forward. Now, he’s urging everyone to sign a legal document stating their healthcare decisions in an emergency.
The PR specialist from Wisconsin, Mike Wiltse, is now spreading awareness of the importance of advance planning for healthcare and end-of-life decisions.
According to WBAY, just 3 months after he got married with his wife Luciana, the couple was struck by a health emergency. Mike said that after after contracting COVID-19, he couldn’t breath and was put on a ventilator, even though he was fully vaccinated. While his wife had mild case, his condition only got worse and he ended up in the hospital for more than a month.
Mike reportedly spent three weeks in the ICU and 13 days on a ventilator to try and save his life. The man also says that he experienced delirium and was incapacitated for days, and had no legal document stating how he wished to move forward.
“I had no idea that I would contract COVID. Especially given the fact that I was fully boosted at the time. I will never forget when the doctor and clergy were in my hospital room asking me to sign, you know, a form that gave healthcare power of attorney to Luciana.”
The PR specialist with the State Bar of Wisconsin also said that when he had to be moved to a ventilator, his wife Luciana was able to make the decision for him because of the last-minute signature. It was nearly too late, his wife said.
Fortunately, Mike recovered on the ventilator, but he still has long-term symptoms of COVID-19 today. He ended up coming out of the coma and survived a rough battle with against the virus.
The PR specials also said that he and his wife were sure to sing a Power of Attorney for Healthcare afterward, and urges everyone regardless of age to do the same.
During an interview with WKOW, he reportedly said: “You never know when something’s going to happen. If not COVID it could be a motorcycle accident, car accident. It could be anything that puts you into the hospital and put you in the situation that we were in.”
According to the State Bar of Wisconsin, only one in five adults living in the state have advance directives like wanting to be put on a ventilator. “When you are no longer able to articulate your healthcare wishes, your family must make those decisions for you. If you have not discussed your desires with your family, these decisions become extremely difficult.
Talking about your preferences for treatment will save your family the emotional burden of having to make decisions for you without knowing your wishes. Your family will feel reassured that they are respecting your wishes.” their guide wrote.