COVID-19 caused Jessi Jenson, a young woman from Boise, Idaho, to have dangerously low blood oxygen levels one night in late October. She ended up needing specialized treatment at Intermountain Medical Center that ultimately saved her life.
Here's Jessi's story in her words:
Jessi holding her daughter soon after the birth. Within a few days she was near death.
My husband Ben and I tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks before our baby was due. We had fairly mild symptoms, fevers that broke in hours, coughs, body aches, and fatigue. We were hopeful we’d finish quarantine and our plan for our baby’s birth would go forward unobstructed.
About a week into our quarantine, I went into labor. Our daughter was born healthy and strong via elective c-section and we were discharged the following Sunday. I was tired and still symptomatic but excited my baby had arrived.
Over the next few days, my symptoms worsened. I started having problems breathing clearly and was constantly fatigued. I did my best to care for my daughter but was having a hard time recovering my strength. I have a memory of my mother commenting that my lips were blue one night, and Ben told me we called our midwife for advice.
We went to the ER. I remember walking in and sitting down in a wheelchair. They were very quick to take me back and put me on a gurney, while I explained that I’d just had a baby and was positive for COVID-19. They took my vitals and told me I had a blood oxygen level of 25 percent and explained they were going to put me under and get me on a ventilator.
That’s the last thing I remember.
Caregivers hung this photo of her daughter over Jessi's hospital bed.
Ben told me they put me on the ventilator, but they had to have it on the highest settings. Even with that, my oxygen levels weren’t improving very well. I was flown to Intermountain Medical Center that night to be placed on an ECMO machine, which stabilized my oxygen levels. Ben told me I was awake and talking to him via video chat using a whiteboard during this part of my treatment. He said I would wake up in a panic asking for my baby, gesturing with a rocking motion since I couldn't speak while on the ventilator. He told me the nurses would take the time to reassure me that my baby was fine and safe with him at home.
The first thing I remember is the removal of the ventilator, which was a very good day. I remember looking at pictures of my daughter that my husband had given to the nurses and they’d stuck them to the lamp above my bed in the ICU. I also have a hazy memory of getting to meet the pilot and the nurse who had flown me to Utah and that was very special.
I recovered pretty quickly after that, getting things removed from my arms and eventually getting the feeding tube removed—which was also a very good day. I’m so grateful for the nurses who brought me those fantastic ice chips once I was cleared to have them. I also remember attempting to make deals with the nurses or the doctors to get out early and see my husband and daughter. They were very good-humored about it.
The day I was discharged, the staff brought me the paperwork that listed everything I’d been treated for, and it was a long list of serious issues. I read it through by myself that night at home and realized just how serious my condition had been. I walked away from this with a new scar on my neck and vision loss in my right eye, and I count myself very lucky.
I truly owe my life to the doctors and nurses who cared for me during my hospital stay. They went above and beyond for me with their kindness during my treatment. I’m so thankful for the awareness they had to help me understand things and the care they took to help me recover mentally and emotionally as well as physically, even as busy as they are. I do wish I had a list of names that I could remember all those amazing people—the pilot, nurses, aides, doctors, etc. Thank you for getting me home to my daughter and my husband safely.
Jessi and Ben Jenson share their story on KSL TV.
Jessi’s husband Ben told KSL News he and his wife had been careful to minimize their risk of contracting COVID-19, and he’d really only left the house for work and to go to the store. He’s now cautioning others.
“Being young is not a magic bullet to keep you safe,” Ben said. “Just try to stay safe, people. Exercise caution and be wise.”