Man misdiagnosed with coronavirus gets 2nd chance thanks to Mount Sinai surgeon

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – A man nearly lost his life after being misdiagnosed with COVID only to discover that he had another serious health problem, and doctors didn’t give him much of a chance to live.

Still, he and his longtime fiancée never gave up hope.

Ron Trotta and Elly McGuire make a living teaching climate science, but for a while, the couple failed to predict their future, much less the next day.

“I was intubated twice in a total of 28 days,” said Trotta. “All I remember about that is a lot of bad dreams.”

He was hospitalized all summer for what doctors initially thought was COVID-19.

“Someone who has lung failure and needs to be intubated is sent to the COVID ventilation wing,” said Dr. Paul Stelzer.

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The cardiovascular surgeon did not meet Trotta until the end of August, when McGuire transferred him to Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Stelzer said COVID was not making Trotta sick, but a combination of bacterial infection, leaking heart valve and brain bleeding that left him paralyzed on the left.

“If I have a solid chance to help someone I know will work hard, then I will give it a chance,” he said.

Dr. Stelzer successfully replaced the Trotta aortic valve, which was followed by weeks of rehabilitation.

“Every day I came in and said, ‘I miss you, your puppies miss you and your piano misses you,'” said McGuire.

He finally returned home and on Sunday, on Valentine’s Day, the couple celebrated the 30th anniversary of their engagement.

“I cut my hair,” said Trotta, laughing.

It was so mundane, but a profound sign that Trotta is getting back on track.

“I knew there was no way to let this guy go,” said McGuire. “He is a miraculous man.”

The pair is holding tight – and holding each other.

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