César Cruz's Covid Journey

UPDATE: César's care team in MN will be having a call on Wed, 4/28 at 9am with his care team in Guatemala to find out if he has the green light for transfer. Additionally, in order to make sure everyone has access to further updates, we are using caringbridge. Please use this link: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cesarcruz Thank you!!

Hi! I am Theresa Sjerven, sister-in-law of César Cruz. César took a wonderful opportunity to visit his family in Guatemala over Easter - the first time he had been home in several years. Two days before he was supposed to fly back to MN, he was diagnosed with Covid. He initially had a cough - but within a few days was not able to breathe very well, was in communication with a Guatemalan doctor via Skype, and was provided with an oxygen tank. He was not able to maintain a satisfactory oxygen level and was taken via ambulance to a public hospital in Antigua, Guatemala. There the medical staff continued his oxygen therapy as well as Remdesivir, but he did not respond as hoped to this treatment. On April 23rd, he was put on a ventilator and on April 26th he was intubated and is now unconscious. His family in Guatemala has been doing a wonderful job of managing César's care from there and have been in constant communication with César's wife (my sister), Tammy. Especially with his abrupt change from being put on a ventilator to intubation, both his family in Guatemala and his family here in MN acknowledge he needs additional care and are making arrangements for an Air Ambulance to bring him back to MN. While a trip such as this is not without risks, we want to try everything within our power to get him the best care possible! The family can use your support! First of all, we are asking for prayers. Please pray for César - that he will make it back home to MN this week, he will make a full recovery, and be completely healed from this virus. Secondly, please pray for César's family - that they feel strengthened by the support from people all around them and for God's grace & peace in this situation and all of the decisions they need to make. Lastly, please pray for the doctors and medical professionals that are caring for César in Antigua, on the Air Ambulance, and who will be caring for him back here in MN. In addition to prayer, the most immediate request is for financial contributions. While the family is working through medical & transportation expenses, we do not want them to feel burdened by any financial constraints and to be able to focus their time on getting César healed. Any & all assistance is greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU to you all, both César & Tammy's co-workers, and friends & family near and far. Tammy, Elle, Marco, & Lucas appreciate all the love & support. If you have any questions for the family, please reach out to me directly.

We are working out some of the logistics for "Flight Day" and will keep you posted via this site as his journey continues.

With Gratitude,

Theresa