'I can't believe I'm alive': Man released from hospital after fighting COVID-19 for 2 months

His close calls included being put on and off a ventilator twice.

Updated: 9:22 PM EST Dec 30, 2021

After a few close calls, 65-year-old John Bernheisel has been released from a Pittsburgh-area hospital. He had been fighting COVID-19 for two months. His close calls included being put on and off a ventilator twice. He spoke with sister station WTAE as he was released and exited UPMC East hospital on Thursday."I got a beautiful bride waiting for me at home, I want to get there," Bernheisel said.What does this day mean to him?"You have no idea, I can't put it in words. I can't believe I'm outside. It's the first time in nine weeks. I can't believe I'm alive. It was bad," Bernheisel said.While Bernheisel was fully vaccinated, he said he was on medication for a form of leukemia that had compromised his immune system.He's grateful for the care, commitment and professionalism of those who cared for him."Oh, I'm going to cry again. The hospital staff, from top to bottom, is just remarkable. I can't believe — they treated me like royalty. They were so kind, so patient, so effective. Each person did what they did remarkably well. It just blows my mind they've got all those people in one building," Bernheisel said. "After nine weeks in the hospital, there's many times I didn't think we would see this day. And I am very thankful to God and all these wonderful staff," said Melody Agate, his daughter.Bernheisel recalled family, "Standing over me, being really kind and saying nice things. I found out, they're telling me I'm going to die. I didn't find that out until later. It's a good thing."Last week, Bernheisel's family and friends gathered outside his hospital window on Christmas Eve to show their support."I looked out there, boy, that flipped my mind. It put me in a very fine place, to know that people care about me. And I got to see all seven grandkids, which was outstanding," he said.Regarding vaccination, Bernheisel said he intends to get a booster shot as soon as doctors advise he can, and that he's glad he got his first and second shots. "I believe in personal choice, adults can make their own minds up. I'm glad I did it, I'd certainly do it again and I would encourage people to do it. I wouldn't have made it if I hadn't," Bernheisel said.

In the eyes of Soxman Funeral Home, dogs are a major anchor in the homes and lives of so many people, so they added a service dog to their staff.

Lilo, the yellow Labrador Retriever, is one of the greeters to visitors who walk through the doors of this Pittsburgh-area funeral home, often in perhaps their saddest and most mournful moments.

Soxman Funeral Home director and co-owner Anna Nesbit said the 3-year-old Lab has a profound impact on those who interact with her.

"She just has a way of bringing some warmth to a really sad time. She just looks up at you with those eyes and the families take that all in and you just watch them take a sigh of relief," Nesbit said.

Clyde Boyd said he is grateful that Lilo was onboard when he chose Soxman Funeral Home to prepare his mother's funeral service.

Agnes Boyd was 95 years old and is survived by great-grandchildren, among other relatives.

Clyde says being inside the funeral home was a first for the great-grandkids, but Lilo erased a lot of their uneasiness.

"The part I really noticed was the great-grandchildren, they were very nervous and it was the first time they ever experienced anything like that, and she definitely made a difference, loosening them up, letting them be themselves," Clyde said.

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