Pentagon Police Officer Returns Home Following Coronavirus

CLINTON, MD — Patrick Bright, a member of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, returned to his home Friday in Clinton, Maryland, following a six-week battle with COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus.

A crowd of well-wishers, including family members, neighbors, and PFPA officers, greeted Bright as he exited his vehicle.

“It’s a humbling experience, when the doctors tell your wife you only have three to five days and that you might not make it overnight,” he said.

Six weeks ago, Bright was diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton. He was later transported by helicopter to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, spending the next three weeks in the intensive care unit on ventilator.
At that point, the prognosis was not good and family members began preparing for the worst. But a change in treatment turned everything around.

MedStar Georgetown is taking part in a national program, sponsored by the Mayo Clinic, to study whether convalescent plasma is an effective treatment against COVID-19. Bright was the first patient in the Washington, D.C. area to receive the treatment.

On his ninth day in the hospital, on Easter Sunday, Bright woke up and had the chance to talk to his family via Zoom.

“That right there gave me even more motivation to say, ‘Hey, you’re going to fight this. You’re coming home. You’ve got your family, your friends, your coworkers. You’ve got something to live for,'” Bright said. “I was very determined throughout the whole process.”

Making things even more difficult was that Pamela Bright, Patrick’s wife, was also diagnosed with COVID-19.

“It was a struggle, because I had to self-quarantine myself and also be very supportive for his needs and communicate with the hospital staff in so many ways, while also being sick,” she said. “It was a struggle, but we made it through. We’re one of the success stories and I’m so grateful for that.”

When Pamela Bright recovered and saw how plasma had benefited her husband, she decided to donate plasma to MedStar.

“I did that because a fellow gave my husband a second chance of life,” she said. “I wanted to do the same for others and will continue to donate my plasma as long as I can.”

When Patrick Bright’s condition had improved enough, he was transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, which is where he was released from on Friday morning.

A dozen coworkers from the PFPA along with seven patrol cars waited outside the Brights’ Clinton home for his arrival.

“We are here to show our support for Patrick,” said Capt. Tamisha Abrams, Patrick Bright’s superior. “We have his back 100 percent, on duty, off duty, always. We just want to welcome him home.”

PFPA Capt. Tracy Slinn was ecstatic about welcoming Patrick Bright home.

“This is like Christmas to me, because I’ve had him in my platoon for 10 years,” Slinn said. “He’s awesome, especially his laugh, which I can’t wait to hear again.”

As the SUV carrying Patrick Bright turned onto his home street, sirens began blaring and blue lights started flashing. Neighbors came out of their homes and family members, all smiling, greeted him as the car pulled into the driveway.

Pamela Bright was overjoyed at having her husband back home again.

“It is absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I am so excited about taking care of him. I’m so excited about loving him. I’m so excited about him being the head of the household and other things, whatever the case may be. I am so happy that he is healthy and his life was saved and mine. That’s the most important thing.”

Answering questions from the press, Patrick Bright was quick to thank the health professionals who helped him recover.

“The medical staff at MedStar was awesome,” he said. “The detailed care that they gave keeping my family abreast throughout the process, which a lot of it I didn’t know. The team was remarkable and I thank them all the time.”

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is encouraging individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma in order to help others like Patrick Bright. Those interested in donating can email: [email protected].

Also see …

MedStar Wants Recovered Coronavirus Patients To Donate Plasma

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