Support for Palacios' Family Covid Crisis

Friends and family, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers and outgoing concern for my brother Daniel (DJ) and his wife Melodie Palacios these past several weeks. On Dec. 21, 2021 their Covid story began and we never thought they would be where they are today with both of them hospitalized.

 

As the days went by DJ experienced fever, congestion, headache and cough. He began a regimen of strong vitamin supplements and other early treatment. By Dec. 24th he lost his taste and smell and decided he likely had Covid. His symptoms began to intensify with vomiting and he began to feel out of breath.  On Dec. 27th he went to a doctor for a checkup and was prescribed breathing treatments, antibiotics and steroids. He wanted to receive the Monoclonal Antibody Covid treatment, but it is nearly impossible now with limited availability in most states.  A few more days passed and he was not improving, becoming weaker and declining oxygen saturation levels. By Thursday Dec. 30th the decision was made to rush to the ER due to O2 SATS in the 80’s. When he arrived he had low oxygen readings, dyspnea, severe lung inflammation, fever and dehydration. DJ’s condition continued to quickly decline and he was admitted into ICU on Optiflow with maximum oxygen use, with the diagnosis of Stage 4 Covid Pneumonia. On Jan. 1st he was close to being placed on a ventilator as the Infectious Disease and Pulmonary doctors were highly recommending this as the next step. However, by God’s mercy he fought and pulled through. Within a few days his body responded to an experimental drug that was at this point his last option. DJ has been in ICU since Dec. 31st but this afternoon on Jan. 12th he was transitioned to the Acute Care Unit. His physical stamina needs to match his cardiopulmonary capacity in order to return to his prior level of function so he can continue recovery at home.

 

As DJ was at the hospital, fighting for his life, his wife Melodie and two small children Annie (10) and Jack (2) were all at home with beginning symptoms of Covid. Melodie and Jack began to feel worse as the days passed but Annie’s symptoms have remained mild. Jack is improving, but Melodie had a difficult struggle with breathing and other Covid symptoms. Her cough was relentless and no medication was helping to stop the cough and declining oxygen. On 1/10/2022 Melodie was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She was admitted and currently waiting on steroids to help decrease lung inflammation so she can start regaining strength.

 

As many of you know serious medical emergencies can take a great toll on a family’s life. At this point we are unsure of DJ’s long-haul Covid residual deficits. DJ is the family’s primary income provider and as a Senior Recruiting Manager it is necessary for him to have full-strength and voice to continue working. Melodie must also make a full recovery before returning to work as a self-employed theater, voice and music teacher. They are both hard workers and dedicate all of their time to their two small children. Covid has come into their lives with a vengeance and disrupted the lives they have built together. It has been very difficult for the family to be separated by illness. The kids miss talking to their dad since he has not been able to speak without great taxing effort due to shortness of breath.

 

As DJ’s only sibling, I wanted to put this GoFundMe fundraiser together to help support my brother and family during this crisis. We do not know what the next few weeks, months or year will be like for their family.

 

Thank you for your continued support and all of your prayers,

 

Denise Palacios-Vulchev