‘I’m one of the lucky ones’
EXTON » Most coronavirus patients who end up on a ventilator die, according to recent studies from Europe, China and the U.S.
Jim Cracas is one of the lucky ones.
About four weeks ago, Cracas was admitted to Paoli Memorial Hospital and was quickly diagnosed with coronavirus, which so far has killed nearly 42,000 Americans. He was placed on a ventilator after having respiratory problems and stayed on it for five days.
Cracas, 51, who owns Pickering Valley Feed and Farm store on Gordon Drive in Exton, slowly recovered and was released from the hospital after 11 days.
“I knew the odds, and I knew what was going on and for me not to be able to be there with him was tough,” said Jim’s wife, Penny, a former nurse at Chester County Hospital. “He was all alone and to see him go through that by himself was horrendous.”
The couple’s son, Matt, took over all operations of the store after Jim got sick.
“He has a long road of healing ahead of him, but when he is healed and when his lungs get back to normal, he will be so thrilled to be back in the store,” Matt Cracas said.
Ventilators do not heal damaged lungs but allow the lungs a longer time to recover on their own. A huge risk for patients on ventilators is that the tube carrying air and extra oxygen to the lungs provide a pathway for dangerous germs. As a result, many ventilator patients get a new lung infection.
During his stay in the hospital, Penny Cracas said she received overwhelming support from the community.
“It was amazing to see the community come together,” she said. “It was very trying times for our family, but there was wonderful support from the community. It’s great to see there is still good going on even in these trying times.”
Jim Cracas is now at home recovering, and he knows the recovery will be lengthy.
“I know we have a worldwide pandemic,” he said. “I know people are suffering. And I know that I am one of the lucky ones because I am still here. I got sick and the community cared so much about me, and my family made me really feel like we have a community that is more than I could have hoped for.”
Pickering Valley Feed and Farm has reopened on a limited basis. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; seniors and high-risk individuals only Monday through Friday. It is open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Anyone entering the store must wear a mask or face covering and all customers will be required to maintain social distancing of at least six feet. Curbside pickup will continue for those who call and request it.