Father, husband makes his way back home after spending nearly a year in the hospital

GHENT, WV (WVNS) — After spending close to a year in the hospital, a father, husband, retired coal miner, and well-loved member of the Lester community is finally home and recovering.

Due to complications from Diverticulitis, an inflammation condition of the large intestine, Reggie McGrady had to be rushed to the hospital after his Colostomy Reversal surgery caused him to go into septic shock in November of 2023.

Reggie had been in and out of four different medical facilities during that time which included, CAMC Memorial Hospital, Raleigh Center in Daniels, Raleigh General Hospital, and Pine Lodge Beckley. Through all this, Reggie also unfortunately suffered from a heart attack as well.

When he originally entered, doctors feared Reggie would not make it through the night due to his organs shutting down and his vitals decreasing. Chad McGrady, Reggie’s son, Reggie’s wife, along with other family members were desperately waiting for answers. And then, they finally got a phone call while waiting in the family waiting area. Reggie’s vitals were starting to return to normal.

“Our family is centered around Dad, we never dreamed we’d be going through this,” said Chad.

From the love and support of family, friends, and the community, prayers from coast to coast, as far as California, Florida, Maine, and Alabama were all for Reggie pulling through, which he miraculously did.

Chad McGrady had some words of kindness to share with the public as well when people are going through a tough time in their lives.

“You never really know what people are going through, just, if you know that they’re going through a situation, just try to help them while you can because one of these days it may be you that needs the help the on the other end. You know, just, always try to help and be good to each other,” expressed Chad.

Reggie is happy to be back home with his wife and family, and looking forward to being active in his community again. Immediately when Reggie got out, the community also helped build him a ramp for his home and welcomed him back after being kept in suspense about his health.

“He’s got that sense of humor about him that you just can’t help but like him…and he’s just the community social butterfly,” Chad explained when asked why he’s so loved by his community and everyone he meets.

“You know he’s always hardworking and there for us when we need him. He’s got a hard head, stubborn and that’s pretty much what pulled him through all this. He was just not going to quit. He said he wasn’t done yet. He’s touched a lot of lives through all this,” Chad lovingly added.

Chad and his family also want to thank all the doctors and nurses who helped his father through this tough time. They are all very thankful for their hard work.

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