This fundraiser was created in support of my dear friend, Taryn Marquez. Taryn (or as I fondly refer to her , "T") is currently at Tampa General Hospital recovering from COVID. T has been in the hospital since mid-August when she was admitted for worsening symptoms. She spent almost a month intubated on a ventilator in a medically induced coma and nearly lost her life. It's a miracle that Taryn survived as all health professionals caring for her expected otherwise.

 

Taryn is now off the ventilator and breathing well with only supplemental oxygen. She’s lucid and has recovered her voice, use of her arms and hands, but she has yet to regain the ability to walk or stand on her own. Taryn is undergoing intense physical therapy, but COVID has ravaged her body and one of the effects was severe nerve damage. As a result of this nerve damage she’s experiencing excruciating neuropathic pain in her legs and feet which is drastically slowing down the rehab process.

 

Devestatingly, Taryn’s insurance lapsed before her hospitalization and she will be left with extensive medical debt. There’s no telling when T will be able to return to work as she has a very long road ahead to a full recovery.

 

I often refer to T as my real life guardian angel. She's the kindest, most hard-working, beautiful human I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is someone who never asks for help but is always willing to go out of her way for others, I am asking for help for my dear friend now.

 

If you'd like to read more about Taryn’s journey, you can find further details provided by her sister below.

 

Thank you in advance for your help. If you would, please join me in keeping Taryn in your thoughts and prayers.

 

With Gratitude,

Hafsa Lewis


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Taryn became ill with bronchitis around August 5th. On August 12th she went to the ER as her symptoms continued getting worse. She was immediately admitted to the hospital because they found she had developed pneumonia. She was given a Covid test with negative results, spent 4 days at the hospital, and discharged to recover at home. 


On August 18th, Taryn collapsed at home and had to be rushed to Tampa General by ambulance. She was immediately admitted as the pneumonia had become severe and soon after she tested positive for Covid. Within 36 hours of being admitted to the hospital, Taryn had to be intubated and put on a ventilator. 


On September 1st, after 2 weeks on the ventilator, doctors informed the family that since there had been zero improvement in Taryn’s condition, as well as her being severely immunocompromised due to numerous pre-existing conditions, her case was the worst imaginable. They said her prognosis was dire and advised the family to prepare themselves because she likely wouldn’t make it and suggested Hospice.


By the grace of God, the very next day, Taryn began to improve. The level of oxygen and amount of assistance to her lungs provided by the ventilator was incrementally reduced, they extubated her and performed a tracheostomy so they could continue using the ventilator while minimizing further damage to her vocal cords, and they began bringing her out of sedation. 


After an additional two weeks on the ventilator, and what seemed like an eternity waiting for her to wake up, on September 15th Taryn finally awoke and was shortly thereafter weaned off the ventilator. There was concern about brain damage or a stroke as she was exhibiting worrisome signs of such, but she became fully lucid within a week or so and transferred out of ICU into the step-down Pulmonary Care Unit.


Since then, Taryn’s progress has been nothing short of a miracle. She’s made such rapid improvements that she was able to be moved to a non-critical floor. The trache has been removed and she’s regained her voice. She’s eating on her own and soon the G-tube that’s been being used to provide nutrition will be removed. She has use of her hands and arms, albeit it shakily. but she still can’t can’t stand or walk on her own. 


Taryn is receiving intensive physical therapy daily, but her rehab process will be long, particularly because she has Chronic Illness Neuropathy and the severe nerve pain in her feet and legs is impeding her progress with PT. The pain is being treated with a cocktail of medications but nothing fully relieves it.


Thankfully, her lungs have healed almost fully and she’s no longer expected to have breathing problems in the future as they initially believed. There are still issues with her blood pressure as it tends to get critically low, or spike dangerously high, as well as her blood sugar and heart rate. But the doctors believe this is all due to the damage caused by Covid and eventually her body will again be able to self-regulate. 


This all being said, Taryn is a fighter and is determined to walk again and fully recover as soon as possible. She powers through the pain during each physical therapy session in order to get as much benefit as possible out of it and is getting stronger every day. Most importantly, Taryn is fully aware of the miracle of her journey and is eternal grateful for surviving and being given another chance at life. 
-Cindy Marquez