Fernando's Fight Against COVID-19
Donation protected
THE BACKGROUND:
On August 3, 2020, after a week of feeling sick and progressively worsening to the point of continual coughing and laying delusional on the floor, Fernando Alaniz was taken by ambulance to Mercy Southwest Hospital with severe breathing troubles. Upon arrival he was tested for COVID-19 and he was in shock. They tested his blood sugar and it was so high they had to act fast as a diabetic coma could have happened. They immediately started Fernando on an IV.
He subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, which with his underlying Asthma, was not a good sign. They quickly determined that Fernando had diabetes as well. He was in ER for almost a week as they had to make room for him in ICU.
THE CONTINUED BATTLE:
While in the ICU the week of August 10th, he had to be intubated and put on a ventilator as his lungs were not able to function on their own. He remained in ICU until his oxygenation levels were more stable. He was able to be extubated the week of August 17th and he was weaned off the ventilator.
While this was going on they were doing chest X-rays several times a day as his lungs were showing fluid in them. On August 23rd they moved him to a new unit in the hospital called telemetry, where he is currently still being cared for. Here he is monitored around the clock for any changes. There was a sepsis alert so they had to do extensive blood cultures so they can find out what caused the alert.
Fernando continues to receive strong antibiotics, oxygen and insulin. His oxygen is currently at 96% as of August 30, however, he is receiving around 40 liters of oxygen. That needs to be down to 4-5 liters in order to be transferred to the long term care facility to start rehab and therapy. He continues to receive lung X-Rays which monitor the bilateral COVID pneumonia he is fighting.
Since having all massive tubes from intubation removed he will have to learn to swallow due to damage to his trachea and his vocal cords. He is still unable to talk, but as of August 27, his kidneys have been functioning normal and his blood sugar was normal. His coloring is coming back and the nurse has been working with him to wave during his FaceTime sessions with his wife, Christine and children, Sara, Samantha and Fernando. He is able to follow very simple commands and respond with head nods, but still has a long ways to go.
Once he is able to be transferred to a long term health facility, which will be several week still, he will start physical, respiratory, and speech therapy.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:
Fernando faces a very long road to recovery and while he is still in the telemetry unit, it is unknown when this journey to recovery will start. Fernando and his wife, Christine, are insured and are currently receiving assistance through the CARES act and through benefits through their employers. However, as both are teachers, these benefits will come to an end before all of Fernando's therapy and recovery are complete. Christine very much desires to meet her virtual class and get her school year started teaching them. However, with all of Fernando's daily medical decisions, updates and insurance coordination, she is not able to prioritize teaching at this time and with Fernando having such a long road to recovery ahead, she is not sure of the time frame of when she will be able to supports her students' needs as their daily teacher.
This GoFundMe is being setup to support both medical and rehabilitation costs over and above what will be covered by insurance and to provide general household assistance (bills, grocery, etc.) as disability and leave assistance from their employers diminish (estimated to be by December 2020). Your support, in whatever amount you are able to donate, is a blessing and is greatly appreciated!
THE MAN, HIS FAMILY AND HIS DREAMS:
Fernando Alaniz is from Guadalajara Mexico and immigrated to Wasco with his mom and family when he was 5 years old. They made Wasco, California their home and he attended Karl Clemons Elementary School then went to Thomas Jefferson Middle School for 7-8th grades. He went to Wasco High School and graduated in 1991. From there, Fernando attended a year at Bakersfield College and then in 1992 he was recruited to play football at McPherson College where he met his wife, Christine. In 1995, Fernando returned to California to continue his education degree. 1996 was a blessed year. Fernando and Christine were married and had their first child, Sara. He took a pause in his education to take a job as a student affairs specialist at Delano High School. He was there for 2 years and then got hired by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in the technology department. He and Christine had two more children, Samantha, and Fernando. The elder Fernando finished his degree in Criminal Justice Pre-Law but was really passionate about computers and about teaching. He left his job at the Sheriff's office and then started to substitute teach while completing his master's degree in computer science engineering. Last year, he finally made the dream of teaching technology a reality by teaching technology to high-schoolers at McFarland High School. He was hired last year and was all set to start teaching the '20/'21 School Year at McFarland High School in McFarland, California. He teaches computer science and dual-enrollment for keyboarding and career choices. Fernando was in his last 2 courses at Walden University online and was slated to graduate in December of this year (2020). Then COVID-19 reared it's ugly head so these plans are on hold for a long while.
Fernando is a devoted husband and father and passionate about his family and teaching technology. All who know him know Fernando as an extremely kindhearted man of unwavering faith who would give you the shirt off his back. Since March, Fernando and his family have attended online Sunday church together and as a family, they pray together. Prayer has been a part of Fernando and Christine's entire marriage and they have made it a daily priority. The life and family Fernando and Christine have built mean the world to them both. Their daughter, Sara, has 'left the nest' and is currently out on her own. Daughter Samantha is living at home and has entered the work-force. Youngest son, Fernando, recently started his senior year of high-school (online).
Please consider supporting the relief of financial burden of Fernando's recovery and rehabilitation to allow Fernando and Christine to focus their time and energy on restoration of health and security of their family.
(Fernando's Birthday, January 2020)
Father and son at the Bakersfield Symphony (February 2020)
Fernando's intelligent and beautiful daughters
Fun Family Memories!
Soul Mates
Happily Ever After
Fernando and Christine have a large network of extended family and friends, and chances are if you are reading this, you know one of them!
Fernando's friends and family include:
(Friends): Desmond Johnson, Randall Lawrence, Lawrence Vieyra
(Family): Sara Vento, Maria Velez, Alejandra Vento, Yuralva Vento, Yolanda Diaz, Maria Contreras, Butch Alaniz, Silvia Lopez, Maria Alaniz, Anita Alaniz.
Christine's friends and family include:
(Friends): Amy Lawson, Carrie Bradley, Tammy Treadwell, Karli Brogan, Brenda Perry Reed, Miguel Hernandez, April Gregorsan, Mede Smith, Patty Rodriguez
(Family): Carol and Roy Kennedy (mom & dad), Cathleen Gotsch, Deborah Kennedy-DeMoss, Karen Eliason (sisters), Steven Kennedy (brother), Karen Hauschildt (aunt), Denise Wilson (cousin), Linda Hauschildt (step-mom)
This GoFundMe was initiated by Christine's sister, Cathleen, and Christine's best friend, Amy, in response to the realization that Fernando's battle to fight COVID-19 has become very serious and his recovery will be very lengthy. We appreciate all of your continued thoughts, prayers, well-wishes and if able, monetary donations to this GoFundMe campaign. God bless you and your family and we pray for your continued health!
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU
On August 3, 2020, after a week of feeling sick and progressively worsening to the point of continual coughing and laying delusional on the floor, Fernando Alaniz was taken by ambulance to Mercy Southwest Hospital with severe breathing troubles. Upon arrival he was tested for COVID-19 and he was in shock. They tested his blood sugar and it was so high they had to act fast as a diabetic coma could have happened. They immediately started Fernando on an IV.
He subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, which with his underlying Asthma, was not a good sign. They quickly determined that Fernando had diabetes as well. He was in ER for almost a week as they had to make room for him in ICU.
THE CONTINUED BATTLE:
While in the ICU the week of August 10th, he had to be intubated and put on a ventilator as his lungs were not able to function on their own. He remained in ICU until his oxygenation levels were more stable. He was able to be extubated the week of August 17th and he was weaned off the ventilator.
While this was going on they were doing chest X-rays several times a day as his lungs were showing fluid in them. On August 23rd they moved him to a new unit in the hospital called telemetry, where he is currently still being cared for. Here he is monitored around the clock for any changes. There was a sepsis alert so they had to do extensive blood cultures so they can find out what caused the alert.
Fernando continues to receive strong antibiotics, oxygen and insulin. His oxygen is currently at 96% as of August 30, however, he is receiving around 40 liters of oxygen. That needs to be down to 4-5 liters in order to be transferred to the long term care facility to start rehab and therapy. He continues to receive lung X-Rays which monitor the bilateral COVID pneumonia he is fighting.
Since having all massive tubes from intubation removed he will have to learn to swallow due to damage to his trachea and his vocal cords. He is still unable to talk, but as of August 27, his kidneys have been functioning normal and his blood sugar was normal. His coloring is coming back and the nurse has been working with him to wave during his FaceTime sessions with his wife, Christine and children, Sara, Samantha and Fernando. He is able to follow very simple commands and respond with head nods, but still has a long ways to go.
Once he is able to be transferred to a long term health facility, which will be several week still, he will start physical, respiratory, and speech therapy.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:
Fernando faces a very long road to recovery and while he is still in the telemetry unit, it is unknown when this journey to recovery will start. Fernando and his wife, Christine, are insured and are currently receiving assistance through the CARES act and through benefits through their employers. However, as both are teachers, these benefits will come to an end before all of Fernando's therapy and recovery are complete. Christine very much desires to meet her virtual class and get her school year started teaching them. However, with all of Fernando's daily medical decisions, updates and insurance coordination, she is not able to prioritize teaching at this time and with Fernando having such a long road to recovery ahead, she is not sure of the time frame of when she will be able to supports her students' needs as their daily teacher.
This GoFundMe is being setup to support both medical and rehabilitation costs over and above what will be covered by insurance and to provide general household assistance (bills, grocery, etc.) as disability and leave assistance from their employers diminish (estimated to be by December 2020). Your support, in whatever amount you are able to donate, is a blessing and is greatly appreciated!
THE MAN, HIS FAMILY AND HIS DREAMS:
Fernando Alaniz is from Guadalajara Mexico and immigrated to Wasco with his mom and family when he was 5 years old. They made Wasco, California their home and he attended Karl Clemons Elementary School then went to Thomas Jefferson Middle School for 7-8th grades. He went to Wasco High School and graduated in 1991. From there, Fernando attended a year at Bakersfield College and then in 1992 he was recruited to play football at McPherson College where he met his wife, Christine. In 1995, Fernando returned to California to continue his education degree. 1996 was a blessed year. Fernando and Christine were married and had their first child, Sara. He took a pause in his education to take a job as a student affairs specialist at Delano High School. He was there for 2 years and then got hired by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in the technology department. He and Christine had two more children, Samantha, and Fernando. The elder Fernando finished his degree in Criminal Justice Pre-Law but was really passionate about computers and about teaching. He left his job at the Sheriff's office and then started to substitute teach while completing his master's degree in computer science engineering. Last year, he finally made the dream of teaching technology a reality by teaching technology to high-schoolers at McFarland High School. He was hired last year and was all set to start teaching the '20/'21 School Year at McFarland High School in McFarland, California. He teaches computer science and dual-enrollment for keyboarding and career choices. Fernando was in his last 2 courses at Walden University online and was slated to graduate in December of this year (2020). Then COVID-19 reared it's ugly head so these plans are on hold for a long while.
Fernando is a devoted husband and father and passionate about his family and teaching technology. All who know him know Fernando as an extremely kindhearted man of unwavering faith who would give you the shirt off his back. Since March, Fernando and his family have attended online Sunday church together and as a family, they pray together. Prayer has been a part of Fernando and Christine's entire marriage and they have made it a daily priority. The life and family Fernando and Christine have built mean the world to them both. Their daughter, Sara, has 'left the nest' and is currently out on her own. Daughter Samantha is living at home and has entered the work-force. Youngest son, Fernando, recently started his senior year of high-school (online).
Please consider supporting the relief of financial burden of Fernando's recovery and rehabilitation to allow Fernando and Christine to focus their time and energy on restoration of health and security of their family.
(Fernando's Birthday, January 2020)Father and son at the Bakersfield Symphony (February 2020)Fernando's intelligent and beautiful daughtersFun Family Memories!Soul MatesHappily Ever AfterFernando and Christine have a large network of extended family and friends, and chances are if you are reading this, you know one of them!
Fernando's friends and family include:
(Friends): Desmond Johnson, Randall Lawrence, Lawrence Vieyra
(Family): Sara Vento, Maria Velez, Alejandra Vento, Yuralva Vento, Yolanda Diaz, Maria Contreras, Butch Alaniz, Silvia Lopez, Maria Alaniz, Anita Alaniz.
Christine's friends and family include:
(Friends): Amy Lawson, Carrie Bradley, Tammy Treadwell, Karli Brogan, Brenda Perry Reed, Miguel Hernandez, April Gregorsan, Mede Smith, Patty Rodriguez
(Family): Carol and Roy Kennedy (mom & dad), Cathleen Gotsch, Deborah Kennedy-DeMoss, Karen Eliason (sisters), Steven Kennedy (brother), Karen Hauschildt (aunt), Denise Wilson (cousin), Linda Hauschildt (step-mom)
This GoFundMe was initiated by Christine's sister, Cathleen, and Christine's best friend, Amy, in response to the realization that Fernando's battle to fight COVID-19 has become very serious and his recovery will be very lengthy. We appreciate all of your continued thoughts, prayers, well-wishes and if able, monetary donations to this GoFundMe campaign. God bless you and your family and we pray for your continued health!
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU
Organizer and beneficiary
Cathleen Gotsch
Organizer
Saint Charles, MO
Christine Alaniz
Beneficiary
