Frontliner survives COVID-19 after being given only 30% chance to live

A Filipino hospital employee in the United Kingdom has survived the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after being intubated for 51 days.

According to an episode of "Frontliners," a Brigada special online series, Cesar Velasco was given only 30 percent chance to live after contracting COVID-19.

He has been a clinical support worker in the UK for nine years, so he was aware that he has a high risk of getting infected with the virus.

"Assistant kami ng nurses, bale kami 'yung more of contact sa patient kasi kami 'yung nagki-clean, nagwa-wash, kami ang nagfi-feed sa kanila 'pag kailangan ng tulong," he said.

His wife Mayette was a nurse in the same hospital and she was the first to show symptoms of COVID-19. But she recovered after two weeks, so Cesar thought he would also be the same.

"Nag-post pa ako ng video na nagte-training ako sa garden, nagpa-punching bag, nagma-Makiwara," said Cesar, who is a 4th Kyu red belter in karate. "As a person na active, hindi ko alam na aabutin ko 'yung ganoon."

Cesar initially chose to self-isolate at home, but his condition eventually worsened. Mayette called an ambulance on April 6 so he could get the medical care he needed.

Before he left for the hospital, Cesar promised his eldest daughter Abi that he would come back and he would go home.

"Hindi na kasi kami nakapagpaalam nang maayos. Hindi na ako nakayakap, hindi na ako nakahalik," he said.

Cesar was placed in a High Dependency Unit (HDU) and had to be intubated to help him breathe. Because of the situation, Mayette decided that she and her two daughters would record video diaries every day.

"Gusto namin pagbalik ni Cesar wala siyang ma-miss na raw," she said. "Gusto naman namin na kahit wala siya rito, ma-feel niya na paggising niya, nakasama pa rin namin siya every day."

Cesar, meanwhile, kept having unpleasant dreams while fighting for his life.

"Sa panaginip ko may humahatak ng paa ko," he shared. "Tapos sabi ko, 'Pagod na pagod na ako, Diyos ko.' Sabi ko, 'Masakit na 'yung katawan ko. Binibigay ko na ho sa Inyo 'yung way para pagalingin ako.' Sabi ko, 'Hindi ko na kaya. Kayo na ho ang bahala.'"

His family remained strong and kept talking to him through video call. They kept praying for him until he became well enough to be discharged from the ICU on May 27.

"May nag-approach sa aking nurse, British siya," he said. "Sabi niya, 'You know, you made us believe again.' Sabi niya, 'You made us pray, you made us believe in God.'"

His wife and daughters, meanwhile, could not be more thankful that he survived to live his second life.

"I love you, thank you for fighting for your life. For promising that you'll come home and that you fulfilled that promise," Abi said. —MGP, GMA News