Covid Caused Me To Lose My Leg - Danny's Story

On  March 2020, the whole world came to a halt
due to a deadly virus that swept our nation; the
Corona Virus or Covid 19.  
 
On May 29, 2020, my own world came to a halt
when I tested positive for Covid 19. The very virus that was killing thousands of people had now made its way into my own life.  I instantly knew the odds were against me as I have a pre-existing heart
condition; one that I've had since birth.  A normal
heart has two valves, mine only has one.  I have
also been a patient at UCLA Medical Center my
entire life for this condition.  

I was immediately admitted into the El Centro
Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) when my
persistent cough, scratchy throat, fatigue and
overall feelings of malaise did not go away.  It
wasn’t until two days after I was admitted to
ECRMC, that I noticed my leg was swollen and
slightly black in color.  To be clear, I was still in my
regular clothes including my shoes for two days
before I was ever given a gown, which was why I
never noticed the severity of my leg. One of the
serious side effects of the Covid virus is that it can create blood clots in your body. I was the
unfortunate victim of this.


I was at ECRMC for a week. During that time, they gave me ice to put on my swollen leg, then they
tried warm compressions but nothing was helping.  For reasons unknown to me, the hospital was
unable to give me my prescribed medication which is a blood thinner that I have taken all my life for
my heart. The medical staff insisted on intubating me several times but I refused each time because I didn’t feel my oxygen levels warranted me to have a tube breathing for me. Also, my gut instinct was
telling me not to do it either.  At the request of my Cardiologist in Los Angeles, I was transferred to
UCLA via airplane on June 5, 2020.  
 
Upon arriving at UCLA, I knew they would take
good care of me. I was immediately put into ICU
and made comfortable.  A nurse quickly wiped my
swollen lips with an ointment and removed the
dead skin from my parched lips that I had for
several days prior and I could instantly see the
color on my lips again.  Also, I was not intubated.
My swollen leg which had gotten worse, was
evaluated by my Cardiologist and my
Attending Physician and they immediately
scheduled to have the clots removed from my
leg the next day. I was also put on antibiotics for
the infection. Between the rapid care I received in 
ICU, and the antibiotics, I started to feel a little
better.  However, a few weeks into
being at UCLA, my leg had not progressed for the
better.  It was then that I knew I was headed for a
battle, one that I did not foresee coming;
amputation of my leg.  I was living a nightmare. I
was alone for several weeks in a hospital, not
knowing if I was going to die in surgery, or if I
would ever see my family again.  I remember telling the doctor in tears that I just wanted to live and be home with my wife. That day, I believe my Doctor made a human connection with me and maybe
realized that I was not just another patient number because the next day she walked in with the
Vascular Surgeon who never comes in to see
patients due to Covid risks. He was in a full blown
hazmat suit to evaluate my leg.  He had given me a glimmer of hope telling me that he had saved legs
in worse condition than mine. However, because of my heart condition, surgery would be very risky
because I could develop another clot and I could 
bleed out and die. They had to be strategic and
meticulous in handling my care, so he changed my
antibiotic to see if that would improve the
infection.  It helped a lot... but not enough.  A few
weeks later, I was scheduled for surgery.  
 
On July 8, 2020, my leg was amputated from the
calve down. I no longer had a foot but I still had my life.  I was down to 138 pounds, but my appetite
started to come back.  I was not able to see my
family but I was able to communicate with them via my Iphone. I looked forward to the next step. 


I was transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital  on
July 16, 2020.  They rehabbed me for a few weeks; teaching me how to use the walker, speech therapy and basically train my muscles that had atrophied
due to being bedridden for so many months. There was a point while sitting alone in my bed after
eating my breakfast, that a surge of emotions
flooded my mind. I was almost home, just one more week, it was there at my reach, but I thought about my wife, my brothers and sisters, my parents,
the family I've lost, the mistakes I've made, and of
course my amputated leg and I started to cry
uncontrollably. I believe I finally had a nervous
breakdown with all that had occurred. But it was
probably the release that I needed to begin my
healing.  I think what I will take away from this
journey, is that no matter what life throws at you,
you have to keep fighting. Always follow your gut
instinct when it comes to your health. If it doesn't
feel right, speak up for yourself.  I believe that 
family will always be there for you when you are in turmoil and I also believe that God and the power
of prayer is real.  "Only in my pain did I find my will. Only in my darkest days, did I find my light."

On August 3, my wife Aleyda walked into the
rehab center to find a frail, skinny, long hair
bearded guy to bring home.  At 5pm on that
blessed day, I was greeted by my older sisters at my home in Calexico, CA and a big pot of homemade
soup.  Sixty six grueling days in the hospital and I
was finally home. 

Although I am adjusting to my new life with a new disability, there are obstacles that keep coming my way. I am currently getting measured and fitted for a prosthetic which will be in the realm of $6,000 to $10,000.  My hope is to raise $10,000.00 to cover
all my costs.  I've had my first appointment in San
Diego, CA and they are working to get me fitted
properly so that I can have natural movement of
my leg.  My insurance does NOT cover a prosthetic so I am respectfully asking for help in raising this
money for my cause. Any donation will be greatly
appreciated and humbly received.

Please feel free to share my story on your timeline. I hope that my experience with Covid  will maybe
help a family who is going through a similar
situation or with someone who is struggling with
this virus. If you have any questions, feel free to
message me privately via FB. 

I'd like to thank the incredible team at
UCLA Medical Center.  Their skills, expertise, and
professionalism are beyond incredible.  I can
honestly say, they saved my life.  

Finally, I'd also like to thank my wife Aleyda for the
love and strength she showed during and after this trying time. She has truly been my rock during my
recovery. 




Respectfully, 
Danny Ureña