Julio Hernandez and his fight against Covid-19
Donation protected
https://youtu.be/sJR2zawoql0
On April 10, after his symptoms worsend within a week at home, my family and I decided to admit my father to Hackensack University Medical Center as he tested positive for COVID-19. It never came across to us that the next four months would be very challenging for our family. For almost two weeks, instead of recovering, my father's condition only kept getting worse.
On April 22nd, we received a phone call from the hospital informing us that they had no other option but to intubate and ventilate him. We were nothing but hopeful. However, as per the doctors, my father became to be one of the sickest COVID patients in the unit. After being in an induced coma for 31 days, there had been no signs of improvement. The doctors gave us that conservation that perhaps it's best to choose an option to keep him comfortable rather than saving his life as his lungs were beyond recoparable.
On the day of May 24, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes, when we received a call from a new doctor introduced to my father's case. He said to hold off on the goodbyes, to give him a couple of days to try something new; a last minute resort and we agreed. As the week went on, there was signs of very slight improvement with each day passing by. On May 30, the doctors call to inform us that they are going to perform a tracheostomy (breathing tube connected to the neck). For another 26 days, my dad remained on the ICU. He finally saw his family through FaceTime as we could not visit him due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
On June 25, my father was then transferred to Pascack Valley Medical Center in order to wean him off the ventilator. At that point, previous doctors weren't sure that he'd be able to get weaned off, one doctor even told us that it would take a year. However, as the days went on, he required less and less oxygen as his lungs were improving. Two weeks later on July 9, he was officially off the ventilator and he cried of joy as he was finally able to talk since April 22nd, a total of 78 days. On July 16, he was then transferred to a physical rehabilitation center in order to learn the very basics, how to eat, sit without getting dizzy and walk, etc. We were blessed to have my sister who is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant to look over him everyday as she worked in that facility. During his time there, he was making unbelievable progress towards his condition and improving drastically.
On August 14, after a total of 127 days, my father at long last came home. My family and I are beyond grateful and appreciative for all the doctors, nurses, therapists, and all those who prayed for my father's recovery. We humbly ask for any donations in order to pay off the medical bills and medical equipment that we are using and needs in order to help my father get back to his prior level of function. We deeply appreciate any help that can be given at this time.
Stay healthy,
The Hernandez family.
On April 10, after his symptoms worsend within a week at home, my family and I decided to admit my father to Hackensack University Medical Center as he tested positive for COVID-19. It never came across to us that the next four months would be very challenging for our family. For almost two weeks, instead of recovering, my father's condition only kept getting worse.
On April 22nd, we received a phone call from the hospital informing us that they had no other option but to intubate and ventilate him. We were nothing but hopeful. However, as per the doctors, my father became to be one of the sickest COVID patients in the unit. After being in an induced coma for 31 days, there had been no signs of improvement. The doctors gave us that conservation that perhaps it's best to choose an option to keep him comfortable rather than saving his life as his lungs were beyond recoparable.
On the day of May 24, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes, when we received a call from a new doctor introduced to my father's case. He said to hold off on the goodbyes, to give him a couple of days to try something new; a last minute resort and we agreed. As the week went on, there was signs of very slight improvement with each day passing by. On May 30, the doctors call to inform us that they are going to perform a tracheostomy (breathing tube connected to the neck). For another 26 days, my dad remained on the ICU. He finally saw his family through FaceTime as we could not visit him due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
On June 25, my father was then transferred to Pascack Valley Medical Center in order to wean him off the ventilator. At that point, previous doctors weren't sure that he'd be able to get weaned off, one doctor even told us that it would take a year. However, as the days went on, he required less and less oxygen as his lungs were improving. Two weeks later on July 9, he was officially off the ventilator and he cried of joy as he was finally able to talk since April 22nd, a total of 78 days. On July 16, he was then transferred to a physical rehabilitation center in order to learn the very basics, how to eat, sit without getting dizzy and walk, etc. We were blessed to have my sister who is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant to look over him everyday as she worked in that facility. During his time there, he was making unbelievable progress towards his condition and improving drastically.
On August 14, after a total of 127 days, my father at long last came home. My family and I are beyond grateful and appreciative for all the doctors, nurses, therapists, and all those who prayed for my father's recovery. We humbly ask for any donations in order to pay off the medical bills and medical equipment that we are using and needs in order to help my father get back to his prior level of function. We deeply appreciate any help that can be given at this time.
Stay healthy,
The Hernandez family.
Organizer
Carlos Hernandez
Organizer
North Haledon, NJ