We've had a bit of a roller coaster ride the last few weeks. On Wednesday, the 24th of November, Miguel got a positive COVID test after having a fever the night before. I left work and prepared for a 10 day quarantine. I was already starting to get symptoms (headache) and by that afternoon was running a low fever. Thankfully, my case was pretty mild and I was feeling better by the weekend except for a bit of a cold.
The COVID hit Miguel a lot harder, by Saturday he was experiencing difficulty breathing and his oxygen level was dropping as low as 90%. Saturday night he had a fever of 103 degrees and we decided to go to the local hospital. They prescribed some nebulizer treatments, a steroid shot, and an antibiotic. Sunday afternoon, his oxygen was around 88%, so we decided to go into the hospital again. They poked him and recommended a medication for the fever. His oxygen was still getting up to 90% so they sent us home, with instructions to return if it was dropping rapidly or reached 80%. Monday morning after a stressful night of little sleep and some attempts to rent oxygen tanks, we decided to cross into Nogales, AZ and go to the emergency room.
Thankfully we were able to cross quickly and arrived at the hospital around one in the afternoon. They took him back and I waited. Around 6 or 7 in the evening he was admitted to the hospital. The nurse let me know that I wouldn't be able to visit his room since he was COVID positive. I was able to talk with the nurse over the phone to get the report that he was on oxygen and receiving steroids for his lungs. I got a hotel for the night. Tuesday morning, the nurse let me know over the phone that he would definitely not be discharged that day, so I decided to drive back to Magdalena to get more clothes and regroup. Thankfully, he had his cell phone and we were able to talk and message back and forth. On Tuesday he was still feeling pretty miserable with a bad headache.
I drove south, put more minutes on his cell phone, got more clothes, wrapped up a few things in Magdalena, and stayed over night at home. It was a huge relief to talk to him on the phone Wednesday and hear that he was feeling much better. I got an Airbnb in Nogales, AZ and stayed there from Wednesday until Saturday. Throughout his hospital stay, I was able to take him clothes, food, and other items but not see him. By Thursday evening, they were steadily lowering his oxygen and the nurse was hopeful they might be able to remove him from oxygen by Friday. Sure enough, around 11 AM on Friday, he was oxygen-free and he was discharged at 4 PM.
Here we are, happy to see each other again after 4 days. He was still pretty weak, but has been improving steadily. We stayed in Nogales Friday night, and drove back home on Saturday.
We are appreciating health and strength a lot more after this experience. There were a lot of tears and fears, but we felt God with us even while we were so alone, Miguel in the hospital and me in Nogales. Thanks to everyone who supported us in so many ways with messages, phone calls, medical advice and encouragement, and especially prayers!
We were disappointed to have to reschedule my OB appointment because of our quarantine, but just got to go yesterday on Dec 10th.
Exciting news. Baby Aviña is a boy! He is 18 weeks along and looking healthy!
As far as pregnancy goes, Baby is starting to show and I am HUNGRY a lot!
Please pray for our trip to Illinois for Christmas (Dec 21-Jan 6).
Also, please pray for us as we prepare for our baby's arrival over the next five months and especially that my responsibilities at work can be smoothly transitioned to others.
Thanks for your love and support!
