The Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation has launched a virtual Holiday Fundraising Campaign this year by highlighting the impact that COVID-19 had on a Merritt family.
Frank Garcia, 65, was taken to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops back in March after a suspected case of pneumonia turned out to be COVID-19.
“It was unreal and very scary. None of us could believe that he had COVID-19 and we could not figure out where he got it from. He went into ICU at RIH and we could not see him,” Frank’s wife Cathy said, noting that her husband went from a strong and fit 65-year-old to someone fighting for his life.
“For weeks, we did not know if he would even pull through. The uncertainty over such a long period of time was very hard on our family. We cried every day.”
In all, Frank spent 42 days in intensive care in a coma followed by another 25 days in hospital undergoing physiotherapy to get his strength and coordination back. Over the course of his time in hospital, he lost 46 pounds, much of it muscle mass, and did not have the strength to even get out of the wheelchair.
“I love my wife, my kids, my grandkids more than words can say. They are my world. The thought that COVID-19 could end my life, and I would never see them again, was unbearable,” Frank said, in a statement, noting he does not remember being in the ICU or the 42 days following his admittance to hospital.
“It was horrible to be in my situation and I was surprised and shocked that I came out of it. I thought I would never see my family again. If it were not for my family and the doctors and nurses, who knows what would have happened.”
In a statement, the RIH Foundation says the stress of Frank’s illness was possibly one reason why his daughter, Marcy, went into premature labour. She too ended up at RIH and gave birth to her son Chase two months early.
“The Kamloops hospital is amazing and the NICU team incredible. The pandemic has really affected our family and I just want people to know that this is real so everyone needs to be cautious,” added Marcy.
Now back home in Merritt, the Garcias credit the team at RIH for guiding them through a challenging year.
RIH Foundation CEO Heidi Coleman says because of COVID-19 and the effect it can have on families, it is important to keep people safe by following all of the restrictions that are in place. She notes, in a normal year, the Holiday Fundraising Campaign would have been kicking off with an in-person event.
“The Garcia family is a perfect example of how the power of love, combined with outstanding medical care, can give a patient the strength and chance to survive,” Coleman said. “Both Frank and Marcy had such great outcomes thanks to the medical care at RIH, which is made possible through generous donations.”
Donations can be made here in memory of a loved one or as a way to give back to the community through the hospital.
