Winnipeg man home for first time in almost 3 months after battle with COVID-19

A Winnipeg man who spent nearly three months battling with, and recovering from,COVID-19 said Wednesday "really was a homecoming."

Neil Funk-Unrauis finally back in his own home, after along recovery in hospitalfrom theillness caused by the novel coronavirus.

He tested positive for COVID-19 after a trip to Cuba with his wife in March, and was admitted to St. Boniface Hospital. But a couple of days later, he was transferred to ICU and put on a ventilator.

Funk-Unrau wouldn't wake up for several weeks. MRIand CT scans later showed that hehadsuffered a series of strokes while in thecoma, contributingto the length of time he was under and creating a tougher road to recovery.

"I'm doing OK, still definitely a bit weak," Funk-Unrau, 66, said from his home on Thursday.

"It's good to be in a space where you can do your own thing and not have everybody else kind of watching and controlling what you do," he said.

WATCH | Family and friends welcome home Neil Funk-Unrau:

Welcome home Neil Funk-Unrau

4 years ago

Duration 1:10

A Winnipeg man who spent nearly three months battling with, and recovering from, COVID-19 said Wednesday "really was a homecoming.

He added, though, that he's grateful for thehealth-care workers who helped him along the way.

After he got out of his coma, he was sent to Riverview Health Centre, where herehabilitated for over a month before returning home on Wednesday.

Having her husband home has "just been a relief," said Genevieve Funk-Unrau.

"We can be together. Wedon't have to be six feet apart."

Genevieve also tested positive for COVID-19 after the trip to Cuba, but was cleared by public health nurses two weeks after her March 17 diagnosis.

The entire time Neilwas in ICU, Genevievewas fighting to see him,in hopes her presence would help him wake up.

"It's quite possible" that having his wife by his bedside could have helped wake himup sooner, Neilsaid Thursday.

"I think having that family right there is certainly an incentive," he said.

"I was touched by the work she did and the tremendous community support that was out there as well."

The two were finally able to see each other at the end of April, after Funk-Unrau was out of his coma.

He remembers opening his eyes briefly and hearing a song fromthe couple's wedding playing in the background, and he knew his wife was nearby.

He wants the public to realize COVID-19is a serious illness, and that people should ensure they're following public health guidelines.

He also hopes people take care of their mental health, as isolation forced on people by the pandemic could have negative impacts.

Personally, Funk-Unrau said hisexperience has taught him to slow down.

Heplans to continuesome of his work as a faculty member at Menno Simons College, he said.

"Butat the same time, work isn't the most important thing around. Taking time for family, taking time to heal and be in good healthis certainly much more valuable."

To officially welcome Funk-Unrau home, loved ones put on a drive-by parade and a physically distanced gathering on hisfront lawn Thursday evening.

Speaking with CBC News prior to the event, he said he was looking forward to thanking them for their messages of support over the past few months.

"It'd be great to see some of them come by and wave, and maybe chat a little bit," Funk-Unrau said. "Just so they could see that things are improving."