GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) -- As of Thursday over 9-thousand people in Wisconsin have tested positive for COVID-19 and 374 people across the state have died from the virus.
Today one of the survivors of this pandemic shared their story of overcoming COVID-19 and how the support from his family and community helped him with the battle.
It was in late March when Mary Nelson of Green Bay knew it was time to bring her husband Eric Nelson to the emergency room.
"It was really hard to drive into that parking lot and drop him off," says Mary Nelson describing the moment she realized she may never see her husband again.
Eric's flu-like symptoms had progressed, his fatigue and cough had become nearly unbearable and the fear of the unknown was nearly as bad.
"I guess it was that feeling of this could be it," says Eric Nelson.
Soon enough doctors had positively diagnosed Eric with COVID-19. Within days Eric's symptoms had become even more serious.
"The doctor called and said Eric needs to go on the ventilator, like now, within the next 30 minutes or he could die. We just had to say goodbye on the phone and we didn't know if we would ever see him again," says Mary.
Before Eric went on the ventilator. he had a heartfelt talk with his wife and with his daughters Karina and Amee.
"You know, say what you want to say, while you're still here," says Eric.
Eric said the important words he wouldn't be able to say when a ventilator would breathe for him. He would utilize that ventilator for nearly the next week.
"Of course it's painful and difficult, but it's also beautiful," says Eric describing the message those forced to speak to loved ones, when they're survival is uncertain.
The next five days were filled with moments that Eric doesn't remember at all. But when he woke, he knew what he needed.
"When I came off the ventilator the first thing I said was, where is Mary?"
He wanted his lifeline. Something as important to him as the ventilator that he relied on for the last five days.
"That support it carried me. It really did. It carried me," says Eric.
And after spending a total of 13 painful days without his family in the intensive care unit, Eric got to reunite with family. He also got an unexpected goodbye from everyone that made sure that he could once again be reunited with his loved ones. Nurses and doctors at the Aurora BayCare Medical Center sent him home with applause and support that Eric believes meant nearly as much to them as it did to himself.
"It was, hey I survived this! And all those people are happy for me. It's a victory for them too cause so many people don't survive."
And looking back on it all Eric says it was his extended family, his community and the doctors and nurses included that showed so much support that made this victory more, than just surviving.
"Those are some great people and they care about me."
Reassuring Eric ultimately that his support system was greater, than he even realized.
"I'm not alone. None of us are."
