MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — A Mayfield Heights high school senior, who spent six weeks in four different hospitals battling the coronavirus, is finally home with his family.
Nick Zanella, 17, came down with coronavirus symptoms in July and his father Frank Zanella says the symptoms were mild at first.
"He came down with a fever and some aches and pains, then he started to get a cough,” said Frank. "In a matter of six hours he went from talking, texting, drinking, sitting up in the bed, talking to me [to a ventilator]."
Nick said he has vivid memories of being in the hospital and at times, unable to see his family.
“The first time I got to see my parents I was kind of out of it but I was intubated and couldn’t talk. I gave them a thumbs up and a heart sign with my hands and those are the only things I kind of remember,” said Nick. “I still have dreams of those memories, very bad dreams, but I’m glad I got through it and I’m glad I’m still here. It was a miracle.”
Nick is finally back home with his family and the only place he says he wants to be.
“I feel very good. All of my symptoms are gone, so I feel like a whole new person,” said Nick. “It’s its own medicine.”
Nick’s father says the journey has been long and he’s beyond happy that is son is healthy and home.
His symptoms started back in July with a fever, aches and pains. However, that led to serious stomach issues which turned to headaches as a result of a sinus infection. According to Zanella, doctors say the infection had eaten through the bone and led to inflammation of Nick’s brain. Not to mention, two blood clots that formed as a result of the virus.
“He still has one blood-clot but we will take it because he is sitting here talking smiling sitting upright.”
The family says the support of friends and family helped push them through the last six weeks.
“We can’t thank enough for how lucky we are that he’s here with us,” said Frank.
In fact, Nick’s high school band held a surprise parade to his house to welcome him home. The parade started at the end of the Zanella’s street and stopped right in front of their house with hundreds of people in attendance.
“This has really taught me to appreciate my life and everything I have and what I have,” said Nick. “That’s what really kept me going, the community, and all of my friends, I was speechless.”