SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Woman Credits Monoclonal Antibody Treatment For Saving Her Husband's Life

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

December 2, 2021

For almost two years, Cathy Evens and her husband, Cecil have longed for the COVID-19 pandemic to end. With vaccines being available for almost a year, the couple was excited to celebrate the upcoming holidays with family and friends. However, a health scare in October had Cathy wondering if her husband would live to celebrate Thanksgiving. Evens said it started in mid-October when Cecil developed what he thought was a sinus infection.

“He just kept thinking at first it was sinus stuff and he’d wait it out, but that didn’t work.”

Cecil’s health care professionals advised him to consider monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibody treatment is an infusion that uses antibodies to mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens, like the COVID-19 virus. Monoclonal antibody treatment is particularly beneficial for people who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness and have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or who are unvaccinated or immune-compromised. The treatment has been shown to prevent progression of the disease, that may have otherwise required hospitalization. SSM Health physician Dr. Shephali Wulff specializes in infectious diseases and said monoclonal antibody treatment can be highly effective, if administered during the early stages of COVID-19.

“Monoclonal antibodies can block the virus’s ability to enter cells, which slows down the infection.” Wulff said. “The treatment has successfully lowered hospitalizations and emergency room visits, especially in those with underlying conditions.”

At 77 years old, Cecil Evens has high blood pressure and diabetes, which made him a candidate for the monoclonal antibody treatment.

“It just seemed like congestion was getting worse and worse,” Cathy said. “It was just awful; you could hear the rattling in his chest.”

Eventually, Cathy and Cecil decided the monoclonal antibody treatment would be the best option. Cathy feared her husband’s condition would take a turn if they didn’t act fast.

“I was even afraid for him to go to sleep, afraid he wasn’t going to wake up,” Cathy said.

Cathy scheduled the treatment appointment and took Cecil to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles in the St. Louis area. It took under two hours to receive the monoclonal antibody treatment. Cathy said her husband’s health improved dramatically in just one day.

“Within 24 hours, the congestion seemed less and his coughing subsided somewhat,” Cathy said. “In 48 hours, it was like he was healed. You didn’t hear any rattling in his chest; he felt great. He wasn’t coughing. To me, it was nothing short of a miracle. I honestly thought I might lose him before that.”

Nearly two months later, Cathy said her husband is feeling terrific and is thankful to be alive. The couple expressed their gratitude to the physicians and nurses at SSM Health who helped Cecil get back to feeling like himself.

“We have always stuck with SSM Health,” Cathy said. “They’ve always taken care of us.”

To be eligible for mAb treatment, patients must meet the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) definition of “high risk.” The FDA emergency use authorization provides additional information on eligibility for mAb treatment. Treatment is offered regardless of immigration status, health insurance coverage, or ability to pay. For questions about scheduling, contact your SSM Health primary care physician.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.