Kitchener man celebrates COVID-19 recovery milestone with special Swiss Chalet dinner
More than eight months after testing positive for COVID-19, a Kitchener man is celebrating a major milestone on his road to recovery.
Larry Dietrich was diagnosed with the disease on December 2, 2020. He spent the next three months in hospital, which included being on a ventilator and spending time in the intensive care unit.
That experience was challenging, not just for Larry, but his family too.
“The biggest thing for me is that once you have that dance with dance, you realize how important relationships are,” says his daughter Alyssia Dietrich.
After eight months with a feeding tube, Larry has now reached an important step in his COVID-19 recovery.
“My dad, as of two or three weeks ago, has been given the authorization to eat by mouth,” says Alyssia.
Larry can finally do something he’s been dreaming about since coming home in March – eating a meal with his whole family.
“I can’t tell you how difficult it is to sit around a dinner table and watch your dad eat out of a feeding tube while the rest of [us] just eat normal food. I’m getting choked up just saying that.”
Over the long weekend, the family took a trip to Port Elgin.
It was there that one of Larry’s wishes came true – he finally ate food from his favourite restaurant, Swiss Chalet.
The owner of the Port Elgin franchise heard Larry’s story, and decided to reach out to Alyssia. He decided to make an extra special meal and even delivered it himself at no extra cost to the family.
“They seem like a really nice family, and then what really got me was when Larry mentioned two things that I’m quite familiar with,” says Marcel Legault. “I love Port Elgin, I’ve been here for about 25 years, and Swiss Chalet.”
So what did Larry order?
“I, and the rest of the family just had quarter-chicken dinners, gravy, sauce and a regular bun,” says Larry.
The family says the support they’ve received from the community has helped them throughout their ordeal.
Larry’s recovery continues, and in the coming months he’ll have to undergo surgery to repair his vocal chords and to completely remove the feeding tube.
Thanks to his ongoing rehabilitation efforts, Larry no longer needs surgery on his esophagus.
“It’s been a long road and I’m very happy that he’s home beside us and with the whole family being able to enjoy everything again,” says Larry’s wife Janice Dietrich. “This weekend was just awesome.”
As he gets stronger, Larry says he looks forward to spending more time with his family and eventually going back to work.
CTV News Kitchener has been following along with Larry Dietrich’s recovery. See ‘Related Stories’ above to read more about his COVID-19 journey.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
WATCH LIVE Toronto police to release updated list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
Toronto police and law enforcement partners will be releasing the BOLO program’s updated list of the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada at a news conference on Tuesday morning.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.