my dad tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 28.

This is Martin Chicon, my dad. My rock! The best grandfather (guelo) in the world! Husband, father, brother, son and friend, who¡¯s dedicated his life to landscaping and in the last few years his time and service to God. He just turned 55 years old on Feb. 25! Unfortunately, my dad tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 28. My dad, mom, one of my brothers and I all tested positive. We all had different symptoms but one thing was different. We were getting better and my dad was not! I drove my dad to the hospital on Nov. 5 because he was having shortness of breath. Watching your dad go in through those double doors alone and not know when you¡¯ll see him again was the worst feeling! He was admitted to the ICU where they had him on high-flow oxygen and a bipap mask on and off until Nov. 18. That day, the doctor called us to say it was time to give his lungs a break and put him on a ventilator. Looking at your dad through a video call, worried, sad while trying to catch his breath as he asks you, "how long will I be on the ventilator?" Telling my mother to watch over the kids and grandkids if he doesn't make it and that he loves us so much and will put himself in God's hands.

That is something that leaves you shaken up, terrified and praying to God like you¡¯ve never prayed before to please let him survive this nightmare. During the next few weeks, he was placed in the prone position, which means lying on his stomach for 16 hours and 8 hours lying on his back. He was sedated and on paralytics. Then, around Dec. 1, they called us to let us know that my dad would need the ventilator longer and on Dec. 4, they took him into surgery to have a tracheostomy and place a feeding tube. On Dec. 14, they transferred him to a long-term acute care hospital (L-tach). To this day, my dad is still on a ventilator. They tried to wean him off the ventilator a couple of times with no luck. The pulmonologists say they have seen no improvement in his lungs, still with a lot of inflammation and scarred tissue, fibrosis, left behind. A double-lung transplant will be his best option for a chance of a better quality of life. Fortunately, we have been contacted by Northwestern Hospital because my dad qualifies for this surgery, but in order for us to do this asap we need to get him private insurance, which will result in thousands of dollars out of pocket because the surgery is incredibly costly. We love my dad so much and can¡¯t imagine our lives without him so this is where we ask you to please help us give my dad another chance at life, which Covid has nearly taken from him. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. And, if you can, please share with family and friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read his story,

The Martin Chicon Family