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Matthew Cardinal, who was hospitalized for 19 days, wishes people would comply with rules

Oct 12, 2021

Matthew Cardinal, 35, is a COVID-19 long hauler and needs to see a respirologist for his severely damaged lungs.

In late March, he was in an ICU bed fighting for his life after he contracted COVID-19.

He’s grateful for the small things in life, such as going for walks and sleeping in his own bed.

“Sometimes, I just wanted to slip away because it was just traumatic. It was hell being in the ICU,” Cardinal told CBC News.

Cardinal had to be sedated and put on a ventilator. He was in the ICU for a week, spending a total of 19 days in the hospital.

“My brother, my sister, they were so … heartbroken because they thought that’d be the last time they’d ever see me.”