Looking ahead: Scott Bruegge’s continued journey through COVID-19 recovery

Scott Bruegge

Nearly three years ago, Scott Bruegge came to LMH Health not knowing what the next few weeks would bring. What started as a cough turned into something much more and would end up being one of the first severe cases of COVID-19 at LMH Health. So, how is he now? 

Though battling COVID has altered the way Bruegge thinks about the importance of seeing your doctor regularly and abiding by COVID regulations, it often feels like a distant memory.  

“I watch the news and hear stories which trigger the emotional side of battling COVID, but for the most part, it’s hard to believe in the spring we will hit three years,” Bruegge said. 

He will always consider himself one of the lucky ones, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few lasting effects that he notices from time to time. After being on a ventilator and bedridden for days, Bruegge said it took a while to regain all the stamina and muscle strength he had lost. 

“I see myself getting more fatigued than before COVID, however I am now over 50 so I can’t contribute it all to that specifically,” he said. “I consider myself athletic and active, so it was humbling learning to do some of the things most people consider easy. Daily tasks like getting up out of bed, getting off the floor and bending down were amplified and took some time to regain the strength to do these with ease.” 

From a healthcare perspective, prior to getting COVID Bruegge said he had never been hospitalized. In fact, he hadn’t seen a doctor in nearly 10-15 years. When he had the occasional health question or concern, he would go but that was about it. 

“Since being in the hospital, I have recognized the great care providers give and the importance of seeing my doctor more regularly,” Bruegge said. “I now go see my primary care doctor, Dr. Jason Foster, with Family Medicine of Tonganoxie, every five months to check on things and see how I am doing. I was one to never get the flu vaccine just because I didn’t see the need to. Now I do nearly all the doctor tells me and if I hadn’t been through what I experienced, I can’t say I would have thought that way.”

He said now he heeds more caution to what his doctors tell him and makes his decisions from there. From the initial COVID shutdown in early 2020 to now, Bruegge said he knows everyone has their own perspective on how they handle this disease for themselves and their family. For him and his family, after their journey, they know the importance of adjusting to keep themselves and their community safe. 

“I am fortunate not to have gotten COVID again,” he said. “Now, that’s not because my family and I have decided to live in seclusion, it’s because we take caution where we know we need to. We make sure we stay away from those who may be sick or have COVID, we wear a mask where there may be increased numbers of people and have probably washed our hands more in the past three years than any before that.” 

Bruegge said for him and his family it is important to protect themselves from COVID, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t enjoy activities as a family and be social with their peers. 

“We will continue to enjoy doing the things we love while also continuing to be as safe as possible,” he said. “That would be my advice to anyone, enjoy the things you want to do, but if someone in your office is positive, or if there are higher infection numbers, protect yourself. This is not just from COVID, but from all the other diseases that are out there.” 

So, three years later and a couple of years older, Scott Bruegge and his family are doing well. He said though there are things he may not have been able to do as easily as he could prior to COVID, he is in great health and great spirits. 

One of the things Bruegge said is high on their to-do list is to be able to finally go back to LMH Health and see those who were a part of his care team. 

“My wife and I often think of those who tirelessly helped me as I was in the hospital battling COVID,” he said. “I have reflected on the great care they provided and continue to do so to this day. We cannot wait to get back there soon and be able to catch up, thank them and give each one of them a big hug.”

Jessica Thomas is a local writer who previously worked as the social media and digital communications specialist at LMH Health.