Joe’s Fearless Fight

Hello, we are the family of Joe Garcia and would like to share with you Joe’s Courageous Journey. On January 27, 2022 Joe woke up with heaviness of heart and gasping for breath, this was the day he was to lay his mother to rest from a 10 day journey by her side. But Joe’s symptoms were literal, as much as they were spiritual. Joe agreed to go to Urgent Care before funeral services for his beloved mother. It was at Urgent Care that it was advised that Joe be directly admitted to the hospital for bacterial pneumonia and have a CT scan as ‘there was something on the x-ray in his heart’’ that needed further investigation. Joe promised to return to the hospital, Cleveland Clinic Florida after he laid his mother to rest, and he was true to his word.

Joe spent two days in the ER observation area awaiting a hospital bed. And, at this time, he was diagnosed as being COVID-19 negative. A two inch by three inch ‘growth’ in the pericardium of his heart was seen on CT scan. An MRI was ordered, and confirmed this growth. The cardiovascular surgeon met with Tracey and Joe to discuss the plan for surgery. Due to Joe’s pneumonia, surgery was going to have to wait until his pneumonia improved, as it was a severe case. It was decided that Joe would have heart surgery after being on aggressive antibiotic therapy for a full week. He was again tested as COVID-19 negative. The surgery was successful and the ‘growth’ was removed with clear margins.

The day after Joe’s heart surgery, he suffered a pneumothorax, a collapsed lung and Joe had to be intubated (placed on a ventilator) to assist with his breathing. He then also required additional chest tubes to give his lungs the best ability to function. Then, the following day, Joe was diagnosed as COVID-19 positive and moved to a special unit. To date, it has now been over 5 months since Joe was admitted. In addition to daily fighting for his life, Joe has had to undergo a tracheostomy, more chest tube placements, central lines, he remains on the ventilator and is currently on an ECMO machine for his lungs. He has been on aggressive antibiotics and treatments to address the pneumonia, COVID, and daily fluctuations in his overall status.

Joe’s mother passed away on January 15th, on January 19th, Joe and Tracey welcomed a new granddaughter, Isabella. Joe was able to see Isabella for an hour before he became so critically ill. We are praying that Joe will have more days with Isabella and can watch her grow up. In addition to mounting hospital bills, Tracey has had to relocate closer to the hospital to be with Joe. The family has been advised that this is a “long haul” and it could take months in the hospital followed by months of rehabilitation, all while not being physically able to return to work. Any gift you give will help offset these expenses and help Tracey and Joe through this very difficult time. Financial support is needed now and will continue to be needed for the next several months. We will continue to update on Joe’s condition as we continue on this difficult journey. Thank you so very much to everyone for your love, prayers and support.