The Story of Chuck Hammel (51)

Admitted: 9/5/21 —DOD 9/9/21

Written by his spouse, Erin Gardner

Hospital Treatments and Denials

Chuck was denied food, water, and other treatments that were requested.

Instead, he was administered a long list of medications: Remdesivir, antibiotics, Actemra, Dexamethasone, Erythromycin, Lovenox, paralytics, sedatives, sodium chloride, steroids, and Tocilizumab.

Despite having every intention of getting better, he was placed on a ventilator and subjected to mistreatment — refused safe and effective alternatives, isolated, neglected, mocked, and gaslighted.

Illness and ER Admission

A week before hospitalization, we attended an engagement party with family. Days later, on August 31, we both developed severe headaches. I worked through the week, but Chuck, who was unemployed at the time, tried to rest. By Friday, September 3, we went ahead with plans to visit the shore, even though he was not feeling well.

Over the weekend, his condition worsened. He stayed in bed, turning colors, and I grew deeply concerned. By Sunday, September 5, we went to urgent care, where staff treated him kindly but said his oxygen levels were dangerously low. They sent us to Shore Memorial ER.

“Dead Man Walking”

At the ER, as we waited, I held him for what turned out to be the last time. A staff member — loud and unprofessional — shouted, “HEY, DEAD MAN WALKING… this one got the Covid!” She then turned to me and said, “And you have it too.” Moments later, after mocking us again, she rolled him away in a wheelchair. That was the last time I saw him conscious.

Remdesivir and Ventilation

The next day, the doctor instructed me to bring in his CPAP machine. By then, Chuck was on BiPAP. Soon after, he was placed on Remdesivir. At the time, I didn’t know much about the drug; later I learned of its dangers. When I asked for alternatives such as HCQ or Ivermectin, the doctor laughed at me.

His parents trusted the hospital, believing he was in good care. But on the night of September 6–7, Chuck suffered a heart attack. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator.

No Contact, No Communication

From that point, he was kept in isolation — no family visits, no communication, no chance to speak for himself. Doctors indicated it was “not a matter of if, but when” he would have another heart attack.

I called on a friend trained in remote healing to send him encouragement. My last message to him was: “We love you. Don’t give up without a fight. But if you are trapped and can’t get out, run to Jesus.”

His Passing

On September 9, 2021, at 3:47 p.m., Chuck passed away. That same day, my son and I received our own positive COVID test results.

The hospital denied any wrongdoing. But the mistreatment was undeniable — from mocking and neglect in the ER, to denial of requested medications, to the isolation and eventual venting. Something went terribly wrong, and justice must be sought.