COVID-19 Survivor, Ron's Road to Recovery
Our beloved Ron Wilkins has finally been moved to a special rehab center after spending 33 days in the ICU on a ventilator. During this time he was heavily sedated, had dialysis, secondary infection, and a tracheotomy. He is currently still on the ventilator, but has had made great strides now that he is awake and able to be weaned off. He has shown an amazing amount of resilience and determination. Ron is also a kidney transplant recipient.
I would like to thank all of the amazing team at Northeast Baptist Hospital who worked selflessly to save his life, and to the chaplains who are helping patients FaceTime with their loved ones. I’d also like to thank his current team at PAM Specialty Hospital. These people are heroes, and we must all work together to slow the spread and keep them and our loved ones safe.
Ron spent 37 days total on a ventilator and spent about 30 days on paralytic drugs while on the ventilator, so he has significant muscle atrophy. Not only will these funds go toward extensive rehabilitation costs, but it will cover his relocation to and rent costs. It will also cover getting him a wheelchair and walker and any other expanses formobility that the rehab center says he needs upon discharge. He will also not be able to return to work for several months, if not longer. What we do as musicans is very physical and we don’t fullyknow the long term effects of COVID. I am his domestic partner and power of attorney, so I am facilitating all of this.
While Ron is recovering we plan on mastering and releasing his new album “Trombocalist” that we recorded over the last year and a half with his New York band. He sings and plays tenor and bass trombone and tuba on the album. We can’t wait for y’all to hear it.
San Antonio Express News story on Ron:
https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/music-stage/article/How-trombonist-and-San-Antonio-native-Ron-Wilkins-15303771.php
USA TODAY Story on Ron:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/05/18/coronavirus-survivors-fears-states-reopen-economies-trump/5194124002/
www.ronsroadtorecovery.com
www.facebook.com/ronwilkins57
www.youtube.com/mrronwilkins