Juan José Huerta, 49 years old, computer engineer and resident of Cobisa (Toledo), was the first patient to be admitted to the ICU of the Virgen de la Salud hospital in Toledo with a diagnosis of Covid-19 in March 2020. The man presented flu-like symptoms and went to the local health center unaware of what awaited him.
During his illness, the doctors, puzzled by his lack of response to the usual treatments, even consulted his wife about authorization to administer a medication from China. Juan José recalls how his family suffered watching him fight the disease, especially his wife, who received daily updates on his condition while he was hospitalized.
After being infected between March 8 and 9, Juan José recalls his confusion upon waking up in the ICU and finding himself surrounded by doctors dressed in protective suits. He spent twenty days sedated and intubated in intensive care, lost 20 kilos, and experienced a long recovery phase. Although he does not know how he got infected, he appreciates the dedication of the healthcare staff who cared for him in critical moments.
After being discharged, he continued his recovery at home with the help of an online physiotherapist. Although he acknowledges that the experience left him with mental scars, as is common in Covid-19 patients, he emphasizes the importance of his family and the need to value every moment. Through his story, Juan José seeks to raise awareness about the severity of the disease and how it can change people's lives in a matter of days.
