Rodriguez’s have been battling COVID-19 since June
An Iowa Park family has been battling COVID-19 and the after effects since June 30.
In late June Michael Rodriguez, 38, wasn’t feeling well and that was unusual for him, because he just never gets sick.
He was tested for COVID-19 on June 30 and self-quarantined at home away from his wife, Melanie, and their four children ages 10, 12, 13, and 17, while he waited for the results.
On July 4, his symptoms included trouble breathing worsened and he went to a Wichita Falls hospital. However, he was told COVID-19 was being treated with over the counter medication and sent home.
Two days later, July 6, Michael was getting worse and it was more difficult for him to breath. Melanie called their doctor and she was told to get Michael to the Electra Hospital right away, where he was admitted. But instead of improving, Michael’s condition declined and his condition went from stable to critical.
He was transferred to a Wichita Falls hospital and put on a ventilator July 10, where he stayed for 16 days.
On July 26, Michael was awake, alert and ready for physical therapy. It was while they were preparing to start physical therapy with Michael that the therapists discovered a sore on him.
Melanie said on July 27, the hospital called her and told her Michael had a small sore on his back that they were going to have to treat.
On July 31, Michael was transferred back to the Electra Hospital where he would start the physical therapy treatments. They found four wounds on his back and they were more serious than Melanie had been led to believe, she said.
Melanie said sometime between July 31 and Aug. 14, Michael was transferred back to a Wichita Falls for treatment of the sores, but they didn’t think he required surgery so he was once again transferred back to Electra.
On Aug. 14, he was flown to UMC in Lubbock where he underwent surgery the following day. “The wounds were very deep and infected. He was septic,” said Melanie. “They did surgery and cleaned the wounds out.” He was cleared of COVID-19 after a negative test Aug. 5.
Michael was flown back to Electra Hospital on Aug. 21, where he is recovering from the wounds and undergoing physical therapy.
“He is gaining his strength back, but he still can’t walk, said Melanie. “He is still on IV antibiotics.” Melanie said he could remain in the hospital anywhere from three to six weeks regaining his strength, doing physical therapy. She said he is also still hooked up to a couple of machines he will have to be able to get off of before he can return home.
While Michael was battling COVID-19 and infected bed sores, Melanie tested positive for COVID-19. Melanie recalled she started having sinus issues and lost smell and taste. She also tested positive on July 4.
Three of their four children also tested positive for COVID-19. However, two of them had a fever but the third never had any symptoms. Melanie said she tested five times before she finally tested negative on July 27.
She hopes to return to work next week and save her leave time, so when Michael does get to return home, she can take some time off and stay with him. She said he will probably require home health care.
Both Michael and Melanie work at the Texas State Hospital, and have both been off work since the first of July.
With all the family has been through, Melanie said their faith has been strong.
“We beat COVID-19. I recall on July 11, a doctor from the Wichita Falls hospital called me and said she did not expect Michael to make it. We have very strong faith and lots of people praying for us. Anytime I talked with the doctors or nurses I reminded them God is in control and has the final say,” said Melanie.
She juggles her days now spending the day at the hospital with Michael and back home to spend the evening with their children.
“We have had some amazing help from our work family and church family. Our Faith Baptist Church family has cooked and delivered us meals; they bring us groceries a couple of times a week. They have been there for us,” Melanie said. “My mom also helped. She would drop off things in the front yard. Our work family raised everything our children needed for back to school. All their supplies. That was such a blessing and was a huge relief. It’s been trying times.”
When school started back, the children were ready to return to school and see their friends, Melanie said. To add to all that’s going on in the family’s lives, her 13-yearold broke her arm at school on Monday.
A GoFund Me account has been set up to help the family recover from the cost of traveling from hospital to hospital to visit Michael and upcoming eaxpenses while he recovers.
Donations can also be made at Faith Baptist Church by contacting Kelly Thompson or Amie Wells.
