West Wing actor Richard Schiff says it was 'touch-and-go for a bit' during his recent battle with coronavirus.
He tested positive for the virus in November and was hospitalised.
While he has since recovered, he says even walking up a stairs was difficult when he first got home - saying he 'felt like a 90-year-old librarian who forgot to eat'.
The actor - also known for his recent work on the likes of Ballers and The Good Doctor - spoke to The Hard Shoulder about his experience.
He said he's now feeling much better, but his situation only a few weeks ago was "not good".
He told Kieran: "About two weeks into the COVID - which is the danger point... it got bad, and I had to go to the hospital.
"It was touch-and-go there for a bit, so I'm very grateful to be out of that... and seemingly recovering.
"I'm very slowly getting my health back - hopefully my lungs will heal a little bit more, and I'll get back to normal eventually."
Richard said he had to have the conversation with his wife about the "end-game scenario", after the doctor "very bluntly" indicated they didn't know what the outcome was going to be.
The actor said he was scared, but particularly concerned for his wife Sheila Kelley - who also contracted COVID-19 - and their children.
He said: "You think about the fact you will never be able to touch the people you love again... I'd never be able to have a cuddle, embrace or kiss from my wife again. That was what I was thinking about.
"How was it possible that I might leave this planet and not get to hug her again, or the kids?"
He said he was "exhausted" and sleeping a lot when he had the virus, suggesting it's a "surreal" experience to feel your body failing you.
However, a few days after being in a very bad situation, he had what he described as a "semi-miraculous turnaround".
He said: "I took Remdesivir - which is a fairly new drug - and steroids... they also had me on a very high flow of oxygen.
"I was lucky that I just responded to those protocols, and was out of the hospital a week earlier than the doctors had expected."
Gradual recovery
Richard is now back to work, and says he feels around '60-65%' of the way back to normal.
He does still have a cough, and can still get very tired.
He explained: "Your lungs are scarred from inflammation, from what I've been told.
"The COVID is completely gone... but when I first got back home making one flight of stairs was really tough. I felt like a 90-year-old librarian who forgot to eat.
"Walking is all you're allowed to do... I've started to walk a little bit more, and now my legs have some strength again. But I can't exercise or work out at all, as my lungs can't handle it.
"I've been working, and they've been giving me a day off in-between workdays. I need them: I need a day to recover before I can go back."
The actor said he already finds himself being much more empathetic and kinder towards people, and more responsive to their needs.
He said: "It does change you - It's A Wonderful Life is not an inaccurate movie.
"I'm luckier than a lot of people who didn't make it through this disease, and other people who still have very strong lingering effects."
