For most people, the end of the year is normally an exciting time. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you normally get to fill your plates, gain some weight, experience the magic of the season and enjoy some well-deserved time off with your loved ones. Our family was robbed of those experiences in 2021, and we can’t help but think that it could’ve been different if we had protected ourselves better.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, four of the five adults in our family were diagnosed with COVID-19: Michael, 63 years old, Tina, 58, Kyle, 35, and Tia, 38. Three of us were unvaccinated, while one of us was. The three of us who weren’t vaccinated ended up contracting double pneumonia along with COVID-19, putting all three unvaccinated members in the hospital. The one member who was vaccinated experienced flu-like symptoms and recovered at home. One member, the one this story is really about, Michael Lipko, passed away from his battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia after 27 days in the hospital.
Before the spread of COVID, Mike was a very happy man. He was very social and outgoing. He was passionate about things — sports, family, friends, hunting, fishing, traveling, and so much more. Without a doubt, the man loved to party! He truly appreciated life and lived it to the fullest.
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As COVID grew, Mike became very frustrated with the public health safety measures implemented by all levels of government. As time went on, he became extremely distrustful of the authorities and began believing even more in various conspiracy theories. Prior to contracting COVID, Mike was adamantly against masks and the vaccine. He felt that government mandates infringed on his rights as an American citizen. He was stubborn — and no amount of discussion could convince him that the virus was real, that masks helped prevent the spread of the virus, or that the vaccine was the best chance to survive it. His feelings consumed him, and it caused stress in many of his relationships with his family and friends. They could not talk anymore without things escalating into an argument. It caused major rifts with anyone who did not agree with his views.
Before COVID struck our family, Mike chose not to get vaccinated, due to his distrust. His son and daughter-in-law also chose not to get the vaccine, due to misinformation they’d encountered as well as their concerns with the long-term effects of the vaccine. The thought process was that they were young and healthy, and would be able to easily recover.
In our family, Mike, Kyle and Tia were hospitalized — all three at the same time. Each one fought hard to survive, and their bodies responded differently. Kyle, Mike’s son, was released from the hospital after about a week and his wife, Tia, went from discussing intubation on a ventilator one day to turning the corner and starting to recover the very next day.
Mike fought hard to recover. It was devastating to watch such an active, vibrant man struggle so incredibly hard for each and every breath. After two weeks, his body was exhausted. To let his body focus its energy on recovery, he was put on a ventilator. But before being put on the ventilator, Mike expressed regret for things he had done and things he wished he had done, and he hoped that he would be able to fix those things when he got home. He was ready to give up the anger and distrust, repair relationships, and even get vaccinated. The experience of what was happening had changed his mind and viewpoint entirely.
For 10 long days after Mike was put on the ventilator, his condition went back and forth. On the 11th day, the nurses called using FaceTime. For the first time since being put on the ventilator, he was awake and responsive — it was a miracle! He was able to communicate with us by nodding or shaking his head, and he even let us know exactly what he wanted for Christmas dinner. After weeks of fear and worry, our hope for his recovery soared. All of us — in our family and Mike’s nurses — truly thought this meant he was going to pull through. However, our celebration was short-lived, and that was the last time we would see him respond to us in any way. Over the next four days, his condition quickly deteriorated. His organs were failing. One month after contracting COVID, after 27 days in the hospital, this once dynamic, energetic man struggled to take his last breaths.
On Dec. 26, 2021, COVID claimed the life of a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
It isn’t until it happens to you that you actually understand, but for us and our family, we will no longer be taking any chances at life. Our family is now vaccinated.
Tia and Kyle Lipko live in Magnolia. Tina Lipko lives in Camden Wyoming.
