Three generations of this family from Laguna survive COVID-19

From the parents to their children to their grandchild, three generations of a family from Laguna have survived their battle against COVID-19.

In an episode of "Survivors," Mae Cortes shared how she and her family fought the disease.

Mae, who works as a business development manager, would often go on field to meet clients and present her company's services.

After a long day at work, and spending two hours travelling from her workplace in Makati to their house in Laguna, Mae came home one day very tired. 

"'Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, I wasn't able to eat dinner," she narrated. "And then ‘yun na, start na ‘yun na hindi ako comfortable. 'Yun 'yung feeling ko naging start ng sickness ko."

On March 16, Mae and her mother Zeny decided to have themselves checked at the hospital.

"We went to our first check-up kami ng Mama ko kasi sabay kami na nagkasakit. So doon sa hospital, sabi niya, low risk daw ako and my Mom," she said.

Mae said she and her mom underwent a CBC and physical exam.

"'Yung Mom ko, bumababa 'yung platelet count niya, so we assumed na it's dengue, kasi nga nagkaka-fever din siya. And then ako naman, regular asthma," she said.

After the checkup, Mae and her mom were given medicines and were sent home.

But two days later, they were still not feeling any better.

On March 19, they decided to go to the hospital. While Mae was still categorized as "low risk," she requested for her mom be admitted already. "Sobrang weak na siya," she explained. Zeny was having a hard time breathing and felt very weak.

"Hirap na siyang huminga. And meron na siyang cough and colds. So lahat ng symptoms for a COVID-19 patient, na-experience niya, and umabot siya doon sa critical stage.

Mae's sister Mau accompanied their mother Zeny at the hospital since their mom is already a senior citizen.

"Nandun naman kasi ako, so maaari kong ipagtanong 'yung lagay niya sa mga nurses na nag-a-attend sa amin."

On March 22, Mae and Zeny underwent COVID-19 swab testing. 

Her mother's test results came back positive on March 27, with her sister sent home to self-isolate. Mae's test results came back positive, two days later on Match 29.

"So si Mother na lang mag-isa and unfortunately, weak pa rin siya that time. Naging critical din 'yung situation niya," she continued.

Meanwhile, Mae knew her condition was severe. "Kasi meron din akong oxygen. Plus, we were given the medicine na 'yung anti-malaria, 'yung hydrochloroquine, para nga to help us fight [the] virus."

Mae and Zeny were discharged on April 5 and just three days after they got home from the hospital, Mae's daughter and father both tested positive for COVID-19 and were then confined.

Luckily, Mae's father and daughter only had mild symptoms. After one week of confinement, they were discharged.

But COVID-19 wasn't done with their family just yet. Mae's sister Mau, who took care of Zeny, underwent a swab test on April 14 and tested positive as well.

According to Mau, she already expected it because of the circumstances she got into. She also knew she would surpass it.

"Hindi ako nag-alala kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na malalampasan ko siya kasi wala akong symptoms. Wala ako 'yung severe."

On May 24, Mau finished her self-quarantine period and the whole family were reunited together again.

"Starting na-discharge kami, we are all calm na. Sabi nga namin, we’re equipped already for this situation. We know what to do already kasi we've experienced it."

Mau said this health crisis made her realize to "communicate more, to reach out most especially to my friends, kasi isa  din sila sa mga makakatulong sa 'yo during this trying times."

Mau later donated plasma to a hospital in Taguig to help those who are still fighting COVID-19.

Mae said her family have become closer than ever and that she was humbled by this experience.

"Three generations 'yung sickness sa amin nung COVID. So, from my parents, to us, kami ng sister, and to my daughter," she said.

"So, three generations siya and lahat 'yun na experience naming ng mahirap pero magkakasama kami with God's grace," she added. " So, happy ako dahil na survive talaga namin itong COVID-19 as a family." — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News