Rubens Covid Journey: A Covid Miracle #team_ruben

Our dear friend Ruben Arriaga Sr., from Saddle Brook NJ contracted covid-19 mid-January 2021. With no pre-existing conditions, he was hospitalized on January 20th when he began gasping for air. His daughter immediately called 911. On February 5th, the family was devastated to hear from the doctors that within the next few hours, he would be put on a ventilator. Their worst nightmare had come true. Back in November 2020, Ruben Sr's brother was put on a ventilator and did not make it. Ruben said his goodbyes to his family via Facetime because he knew what his fate could be. Covid-19 is an ugly disease. Those 69 days on the ventilator was mental torture for his close knit family. His wife remained strong for their 4 children and 3 grandchildren each and every day while Ruben was in a "deep sleep". On Feb 26th, he was extubated while the family anxiously waited for him to wake up. By some miracle, on March 6th, Ruben finally woke up. They cried tears of joy and relief. Throughout it all, the nurses at Valley Hospital gave the family comfort and support, all the while becoming a part of the Arriaga family. Ruben is a miracle on earth. He has taught these doctors and nurses so much and has given them hope that others in his situation could possibly survive as well, when most haven't. On Ruben's 100th day at Valley Hospital, he was transferred to UPENN to be evaluated for a lung transplant. His journey is far from over, this is only the next chapter.

Please help in any way you can as the family needs financial support these days. The new hospital is over two hours away and they will need to pay for housing to have at least one family member with him daily, now that restrictions have been lifted and he is finally able to see them. Let us do what we can to help lessen the load.