RICHMOND, Ky. — A Kentucky man is sharing his story battling COVID-19. He’s among the many Kentuckians who were treated in hospitals during September.

This month, hospitalizations, and new cases of COVID-19 cases are seeing a downward trend.

“This is been pretty rough on my body,” said Charles Chuck Neeley.

It’s suffering he wishes on no one, enduring the pain caused by catching COVID-19.

“I felt like I had a concrete block in my stomach, and it was rolling around in there. So I couldn’t eat, couldn’t go to the bathroom very much,” Neeley said.

He’s recovering at Baptist Health Richmond hospital.

“A week and a half ago, two weeks ago, I couldn’t have done this interview because I had a full face mask on. I couldn't speak at all,” Neeley said.

He entered the hospital back on Sept. 6, experiencing a few symptoms.

“It took that much air pressure and airflow and oxygen just to keep me alive. So this is just, this is still a lot, but for now, I am full of air and atmospheric air. Now, I'm just getting supplemented with oxygen here. Because my lungs are still not efficient,” Neeley said.

The virus took a toll on his lungs.

Chuck Neeley has a tube that helps give him more oxygen to his lungs. (Spectrum News 1/Khyati Patel)

“I don't know what the number is, but my lungs are probably only holding about 30% of their capacity. So, just to get up and walk around the room, I’ll get out of oxygen quick. Without this I wouldn't be able to get up,” Neeley said.

He said the isolation and not being able to see his wife and children has been one of the hardest parts. Just a week ago, one of his sons came to the hospital to give him a fresh haircut, a first in weeks.

“You know I go from cattle farming, been out on a 200-acre farm to a 20 by 20 room and for somebody like me, that's not easy,” Neeley said.

He finds joy in the small things at the hospitals.

“Everybody makes fun of hospital food but the hospital has been pretty good here. But I'm not a finicky eater. I like just about anything,” Neeley said.

At one point during the month, his condition became worse.

“As I started not being able to breathe and my lungs start to get more and more damaged from COVID[-19]. It just become harder and harder and I could get less and less oxygen in. So it's kind of feeling like, feeling like you're being pressed on each side of your back in your stomach, and you just can't draw air in. It’s like you’re suffocating,” Neeley said.

His church family heard about his deteriorating health so, during service, the congregation Red House Baptist Church prayed for his health.

“I got word during the service that chuck Neeley is not doing well at all,” said Dwayne Abrahamson, Minister of Students and Recreation as he started the prayer. "And Father I pray right now for Chuck Neeley, Father we know his situation is dire, we know his situation is desperate, but God, we know we serve you and you are a God who can do anything and nothing is impossible with you. And Father I pray right now that you would reach down and touch Chuck.”

Neeley points to that service that lifted him out of isolation and improved his breathing.

“The Lord will always sustain me,” Neeley said as his convection deepened.

Neeley also has thoughts about vaccine mandates. 

“If you believe in God, pray. If you've not been vaccinated, I'm not gonna tell you to vaccinate, but you just need to pray about it. And if you have reservations about doing it, God will answer you,” Neeley said. “As far as, you know, being forced into something, you're an American, you have freedoms, use them, and fight for them. And make the best decision you can, based on the best data you can find.”

Baptist Health Richmond said his oxygen levels are down this week, but he is doing better overall.

Doctors and nurses hope to release him next week and he plans to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks.