Covid-19 Medical Care Expenses for ICU Nurse

Marianna Cisneros, a 29 year old spirited Intensive Care Unit Nurse tested positive for Covid-19 on July 20, 2020. For a period of three weeks Marianna was experiencing elevated blood pressure/heart rate, numbness throughout the right side of her body, loss of vision in her right eye, migraines, confusion and fatigue. After concluding that the symptoms she was experiencing were out of the ordinary, she decided to seek help. On August 10, 2020, Marianna went to the emergency room and was admitted for 6 days. During her stay, multiple tests were completed such as blood tests, a spinal tap and an MRI. All which came back abnormal. The results of her MRI showed that she had a brain lesion in her left frontal lobe. A second lesion was discovered in her left parietal lobe after a second MRI was completed. It was a very frightening time as it was uncertain what the outcome would entail. Numerous questions passed through her mind. Would she come out alive? Would she be able to see her family again? Would she be healthy enough to continue her career as a nurse?

Pre-Covid, Marianna lived a healthy lifestyle. She was an agile wife and mother of three, an ICU Nurse caring for Covid patients, and a fitness competitor. On her down time, she enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking and sightseeing. After testing positive for Covid-19, Marianna’s life was drastically changed. Now at the age of 30, she faces chronic neurological issues that have impacted her day to day living. Marianna struggles to walk at times, experiences changes in neurological coordination, and suffers from significant memory loss, confusion and elevated heart rates as high as 170. She has a team of Neurological and Cardiological specialists overseeing her care for POTS, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system she developed post-Covid. She attends physical therapy once a week for gait and balance as well as functional neurological therapy three times a week for POTS. Much of Mariannas therapy is not covered through her health insurance as it is not considered “conventional” treatment. At this time, her functional neurological therapy is the highest expense she is currently paying out of pocket for on a monthly basis. As she has now been diagnosed with a chronic condition, the medical expenses have been piling up and will continue to do so as she seeks additional care from experts out-of-state to give herself a fighting chance.


Covid-19 has no boundaries. It affects anyone regardless of age, regardless of health. Marianna was a young adult with no underlying health issues. Despite it all, she caught the virus and now struggles with a progressive health condition that can be very debilitating. As a nurse she thrived in helping people and is now struggling to help herself. Her norm was coming home to her husband and kids and enjoying time together. Now that has shifted as she is fighting to get back to that norm. The amount of physical, emotional, and financial stress this has put on herself and her family is tremendous. 


And this is where we reach out to our community for help -from those of you who have the means to donate, from those of you who have the ability to spread awareness of this fundraiser, and from those of you who can empathize or relate to her story. Funds received would go towards any and all medical expenses incurred. A decrease in healthcare expenses would very much relieve any financial stress. Marianna’s main focus is getting better and finding answers. She has advocated via her own organization and via local/national news to garner attention for long haulers and post covid care. Please consider donating, anything truly helps. The time you have taken to read this means the world to us and we greatly appreciate it. THANK YOU. Please take care of yourself and loved ones and please continue practicing a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Once again, thank you!

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