I have been wanting to write out my story of how I got Covid-19 and how my hospital stay and recovery happened.
Having said that, I also want to write about anything else. It’s quite a painful memory, literally resulting in some PTSD flashbacks. But I promised myself I’d soldier through and I do want to share this particular part of the story because it completely applies to the celebratory mood I’m in.
First of all, I am in the midst of celebrating 15 Years in the Blogosphere – it’s my Quinceañera! Well, I would be anyway, if I hadn’t been hit by yet another health curb ball.
On the 1st of October, I had collected videos from friends and filmed myself with my crown and Barbie cake in full celebratory mode when what should happen? The cartilage that attaches and connects my meniscus to my knee blew out, leaving me lame and feeling oh so sorry for myself. Of all the luck!
So, I’ve spent the last two weeks – the ones where I was going to be sharing celebration stories – mostly shlepping from orthopedists to geting MRIs to having multiple visits from the local paramedics to help move me from upstairs to downstairs, but that’s not important right now.
But let me take you back to the night of January 29th, 2021. I had a fever and was struggling to breathe and was being treated at home. It was the pneumonia that seemed the most likely to take me down, but I went to the ICU on Thursday, January 28th where they began aggressively treating the covid infection and the pneumonia. I was getting all the best preventitive drugs. I got plasma and Remdesevir and every breathing aid they could think to help me take deep breaths. It soon became apparent that I would not be breathing well on my own anytime soon.
So they worked on me feverishly – no pun intended – for 48 hours. And I wasnt responding like they’d like. I knew what was coming next and I can’t say I blame them.
The doctors all filed in somberly and the bravest one, said, “Well, Mrs. Darby… the best course for us now is to intubate. We’ll sedate you and put you on a rotisserie bed so we can easily turn you. You won’t completely be in a coma and you’ll be able to recognize sights and sounds.”
This, of course, was my worst fear coming to life. I checked my emotions and my heart and decided that I was really not afraid. It’s moments like this when the rubber meets the road. Did I really know and believe God, or was I afraid to die?
The answer surprised me the most: I was not afraid. To die anyway. I was afraid to suffer. At this point I had been separated from my family for a few days and now it was time to “say my goodbyes.”
As you can imagine that scene was pretty dramatic and I was completely unprepared for what was to come. I was surrounded by a team in hazmat suits wearing helmets with headlights which reminded me of the Doozers from Fraggle Rock, but that’s not important right now. (My sense of humor obviously remained intact.)
“Call your family and talk to them.”
So I did. Adam was impossible to talk to because he couldn’t speak he was weeping so copiously. He was also the one we suspect brought the virus to my door. I do not blame nor have any bad feelings about this. It’s a virus, after all. Next, I talked with Amy who had been praying and praying and was convinced I would survive this ordeal. She wasn’t worried.
“I love you, mom. You’re going to be great!”
I really wasn’t prepared for saying something intensely meaningful to each one. Besides this was NOT going to be my deathbed scene.
Eric reminded me that I had been a wonderful wife. “I’ll be wonderful again very soon! Just watch me!”
Maybe it was the intensity of the scene that made me crack uncomfortable jokes. Well, that was my entire arsenal so that’s what I had to work with. I think it made me a much more sympathetic patient and the team felt more connected to me.
But I still had to do the dreaded “Goodbye Scene.”
When I talked with Jon, who was also crying big fat tears, I pointed out that my nurse, Lena, was very beautiful and I introduced them over FaceTime.
Jon went on to tell me later that that was such a typical mom move and that had I died, he would have remembered me and my sense of humor fondly. (Shut up . I know.)
Then it was Lucy’s turn. Right before our conversation, they asked, “Do you have a DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER?”
ME: “No. No. No. No. NO. Let’s clear a few things up: YOUR JOB IS TO RESUSCITATE ME AT ALL COST. YOU MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH TO KEEP ME ALIVE. ARE WE CLEAR?”
Hazmat Team: “Yes, Mrs. Darby.”
Me: “Now each one of you take a moment to introduce yourself. I want to know my hazmat team.”
And so they did. One after the other, I had a moment of looking into their eyes and humanizing myself to them.
Then I got my Lucy on the phone.
“Mom.” There was a strange urgency in her voice. “You can’t die. I’m pregnant. I just found out. Nobody knows.”
Well, you can imagine my shock and surprise! “Guys! My daughter is pregnant and I MUST MEET THIS GRANDCHILD!”
“That’s why you’re keeping me alive.” and then I shouted – SHOUTED!! – to The God Who Is There: “I CAN’T DIE RIGHT NOW! I HAVE TO LIVE. KEEP ME ALIVE TO MEET THE PROMISED CHILD.”
My hazmat team gave me space to pray LOUDLY and now that we knew each other, they were more connected to my desire to live.
They strapped me into a rotisserie bed and put me into a deep twilight sleep. I didn’t feel the intubation at all.
And miraculously, I was in perfect peace.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philipians 4:7
That verse came alive at that very moment.
‘Lucy, I promise I will live.” And I meant it. I knew in my knower that I was going to be ok.
The head hazmat guy promised to hold my hand when they turned me. And he did.
The hospital staff was patient and kind and in the windowless/timeless halls of the covid ward they played salsa music for me. Eric would talk to me every day, even though he himself was suffering not just with Covid, but with worry for his wife with the low oxygen.
I’m going to stop this portion of the narrative here. Mostly because once I went under I was having cartoon dreams and was “traveling” lots of places. That is really another story for another day.
Today, I want to focus on The Child.
I have a form of long covid. It has taken me a while to learn to walk and use my arms. But the moment Lucy went into labor, I stayed awake too. THIS was the Child of the Promise. I couldn’t wait to meet this kid.
Maxwell David-John Jackson came into the world on September 26th and was placed in my arms just a few days later.
The Child of the Promise.
I have so much to live for and am fighting back tooth and nail.
Also, DO NOT RESSUSCITATE IS SOOO NOT MY STYLE.
Friends, meet the promised child, my newest grandboy, Max.
All things are new and God is good.
I’m still struggling to walk, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.
I wonder if Max is also the name of my guardian angel? (Makes you think…)
Let the celebrations commence!
I have been following your story for years and am a supporter as well having purchased many of your items and items from companies you recommend. Your strength and love of life is amazing. I know you will recover and come back stronger than ever before.
Congratulations! Max is beautiful as is his mother! I still remember Lucy’s first day of high school many years ago in one of your (many) touching blog posts! But that’s not important right now. I’m just glad you’re still writing and able to share your wonderful life with us. God bless!
What a beautiful and amazing story. I am so sorry you have been sick, but of course I love your humor and faith you use to get through it all. And if course, the blessing that is Max!!! So happy for all of you! God Bless and stay well!!
Thank you for sharing, I know that was hard. You had a lot of people praying for you and the promise child, your family and friends were your motivation.
What an experience!
¿What? “I’m going to stop this portion of the narrative here.
I want to know everything, because… you know, i’m Cuban.
I like that you weren’t afraid to die. You come from very strong women, and you have also raised strong women.
Now, detalles, detalles, ¿Did you have any weird experience, while in semi-comma? ¿Did you feel connected to some other plane of existence?
I have many doubts about the after life, or if there is any, but since I do want to believe, every little bit helps.
Congratulations on all the grand-babies, specially the brand new one. muchos hugs and lots of besos
❤️ I’ve prayed for you and your family so many times this year.
I’m so grateful you’re here.
Felicidades! Bella y conmovedora historia. Max es bello! Mucha salud para ti y tu familia
Me da tanto gusto que fuiste una de las suertudas! Y además como sigo diciendo “No era tu tiempo.” And I’m glad it wasn’t. Que te recuperes de todo muy pronto.
God is Good. ❤️???
Prima, hermoso y conmovedor. La vida nueva como sostén de tu vida. Me gustaría abrazarnos algún día. ?
Thanks for sharing your story! Congrats on your new grandson!! So glad you’re on the healing path!
I am so happy you got through the virus. I don’t know you personally, but I have been one of your avid fans reading your blog and learning about your family. I wrote a while back when I hadn’t seen any new blogs. I was heartbroken when I saw your Go Fund page and heard the news.
I’m a physician in California, have had several of my patients not make it despite all we have tried. It takes a toll on us too.
I’m so happy for you and your new grandchild.
I know it was hard to put your experience online and your emotions, but it does help to deal with the trauma.
God bless you. I know you will recover well with that awesome family you have.
Wow Marta! Glad you’re here to tell your story. You’ve been an inspiration to me since I started following you years ago. Needless to say I was shocked to hear you were hospitalized with COVID complications. Thankful you’re covering bit by bit to continue to inspire the younger Cuban genera. You’ve got a lot more work to do and God will continue to give you his strength.
Congratulations on your new grandson Max. Pa’lante y Pa’lante mi comadre.
Marta! Thank God for his many miracles! We prayed for your recovery and your family. Eres tan especial and wishing you a full recovery ❤️?And omg que bello baby Max???
God is good! Cuídate mucho. Cariños de Miami
Thanks you for sharing this season of your life with us. Sending prayers up that you continue to get stronger each and every day! Btw-your grand baby Max is so handsome!
Beautiful story Marti! I’m so glad you made it, so we could reconnect. Here’s to many more hangs, my friend.
And what a gorgeous baby boy!! Most definitely your guardian angel!
Love you!!! Kate
I’m American with Cuban DNA( my parents came to the states in the 1940s met in NYC, love at first site ,married and moved to Connecticut) I embrace my Cuban roots and am so thankful that they only spoke Spanish at home, cooked Cuban food years before you could run to the local grocery and buy Goya products. And my parents taught me to love and embrace my heritage. My dad was also a founding member of the longest running ethnic social club in New England, El Liceo Cubano de Bridgeport, of which I have the honor of being a Board member. I married American but my adult children pride themselves on being 50% Cuban. I can’t tell you how much your blog has meant to me over the last few years, especially when you included your lovely Mom who was such a lady and such a love and reminded me so much of mine who I was slowly losing to alzheimer. Your stories, recipes, anecdotes and frankness made me feel like you were family. Thank you . Like many of your followers, I have prayed for you and your family. But never so fervently ,fiercely and detailed as you battled covid. You see, I am not just an ICU Respiratory therapist with 44 years of experience running ventilators , but like you I am a covid 19 survivor, not once, but twice, working the frontlines before the vaccines were available, before there were covid tests available to hospital employees , before there was even a treatment plan or effective medications, plasma …
I was feeling pretty down today until I came across your post on Instagram. Thank you for reminding me of how God spared us and His Jeremiah 29:11 promices. I too have a beautiful new baby grandson, Levi is two weeks old ! You reminded me of my journey, heartbroken that the colleague I caught this virus from in March 2020 no fault of his own was not as lucky to survive. , blessed to have such wonderful, dedicated
doctors, nurses and RTs who were not willing to give up on me and fought as hard as I did. I too, strong in my faith was not afraid to die but not ready to suffer and I confess that I had placed my last will and testimony document on the dining room table before I went into the hospital and admitted straight to ICU. Months later as I recovered, isolated at home during the shutdown caused by the pandemic, I lost my mom .she was just months away from her 100th birthday. In Sept I returned to patient bedside, working in what was now predominantly a covid hospital, wearing heavy layers of PPE ( masks. Gloves , gowns ,headgear, eye protection, shields…but just weeks short of getting the vaccine, I came down with covid again in Nov 2020. Now a year later I can be the poster child ofa long haul covid survivor. I am under the care of a pulmonologist, neurologist and cardiologist. I can no longer perform my job duties and have been released from my employer. Today you reminded me that as a Cuban woman, I am strong, I am resilient and I have a purpose. Thank you!
Your story is so moving—so many medical staff have paid a huge price during this pandemic. Thank you for serving at such risk. Praying for your full recovery and that more people do what they can to protect medical workers and overloaded hospitals. ????
Happy 15th! Congratulations on beating Covid and meeting your newest grandchild! I have missed your blog and your wit! I too remember your blog posts about Lucy in high school and the time we spent together in Life Group at The Bridge. And your pastellitos de guava are still my favorite! I’ve bought them many places since and yours are amazing!
I am also a Covid survivor from early January 2021! So glad to be here with you! God is so good! Enjoy that precious child of the Promise and keep living life to the fullest! ❤️
Oh, Marta. I am ugly crying reading this. You are so strong, you are so brave and so, so loved. So incredibly gratefulthankfulblessed that you’re still here making us laugh and sharing your stories. God bless your sweet Max, the rest of the grandboys and your fantastic family whose unwavering love is apparent to all of us. So happy that we still have you!
Your grandson is perfect and so beautiful. A little piece of Heaven. So glad for your recovery and your strength. Yes, maybe your guardian angel.ia named Max. Keep up the good fight. We Cubans just don’t give up. ?
God is so Faithful! Glad to see that your story had many happy endings! ❤️??
Aye yi yi, chica!! I’ve been missing you and your sweet stories that I can relate to! I’m so sorry to hear that covid got you so hard! But, oh, my Lord! You are a strong, determined soul who fought through and now you are rewarded with Max! A celebratory time indeed! When you are feeling up to it, por favor, let me buy you un cafecito aquí en Old Town Temecula!❤️????
I cannot stop crying. Congratulations all the way around!
Tears of gratitude. I love you so much. So happy for Lucy and Mark and your whole family. Time, distance, memories have made their way between us, but I want you to know how much I LOVE YOU and I’m so grateful that you are walking (ever-so-steadily) on this earth with the rest of us. Your presence is much needed and appreciated. Love you friend.
I read you, not as as often as the rest of your followers and I’m glad I have the time to read this post. God bless you all #tearsofjoy
Oh my dear Marta! I may not know you in person but I feel as if I know you and your entire family thanks to your blogs and your Faceboo/ Instagram posts!!! you have made me laugh and now you have made me cry. I am so happy for you and your family and that you survived!! Good is good and know you’re such an inspiration on so many levels. I pray for you and your speedy recovery. I send you lots of love and healing light.
Dear Marta, I have read your blog for a while now, and you were blessed with a beautiful family and friends you have a lot to fight for…so damn fight as hard as you can, I am Cuban, came to this wonderful country when I was 6 years old, but we have a saying that says, help your self and God will help you. I am battling cancer right now, and I am fighting as hard as I can.
I also was blessed with a beautiful family, and new addition this year I was blessed with my Granddaughter who has been my biggest inspiration to FIGHT and you know what it is working. I will include you in my prayers.
By the way, one of children is Vegan, and used you guava pastry recipe a while back, and now he makes guava and vegan meat. I have made them with Real Meat, Guava and Guava with cheese…THANK YOU FOR THE RECIEPE!!
Get Well soon,
Lily from Miami (West Kendall)
So thankful to God for pulling you through and for continuing to be by your side and that of your entire family. Like others, I’m crying reading your story and cannot begin to imagine what you have experienced. I met you and your handsome son at the filming of Once Upon a Time and you treated both my husband and I like old friends and I still cherish the pic that we took together. This is just the beginning for you of a brand new episode and to be able to share your experience with others as you always done. Bless your beautiful Promised Child, your courageous husband and entire family as you continue to work on your full and complete recovery. Just allow God to do his thing and all will return to normal. Cariños, Estrella ⭐️
PS: Happy 15th!!
God bless you Marta as you continue to recover. Enjoy that beautiful baby!
I love your purpose, I love that your family is the most important thing in the world! I am so proud of your fight sister, you had a mission and you accomplished it with grace. Enjoy them and I will continue to pray for your healing ! Sending much love? your grade school amiga?♂️
Dearest Marti,
This is so heartbreaking and moving, life threatened and life renewed. I cried and cried out to God so often while you were in the hospital. Will continue to pray for full recovery. I love you. And Max is adorable. ❤️
I cried as I read your story but so thankful for your recovery. Thank you Jesus. Max is adorable and I know you are enjoying the addition to your family. My ex-husband introduced me to Cuban food in 1972. We lived in Tampa Florida at the time and frequented the Latin quarter. My MIL taught me to cook Spanish/Cuban foods which began my love of the Cuban culture…foods, music, etc. I was always seeking Cuban cuisine when I moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1988. l’ve lived in Jacksonville since 1993 and still remain faithful to the culture and food. love your blog and appreciate all you give in service to educate us gringos to your culture.