Pinoy frontliner in UK survives COVID-19 after weeks on life support

A Filipino nurse manager in the United Kingdom has survived the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after spending weeks on life support.

According to an episode of "Frontliners," a Brigada special online series, 43-year-old Erik Cortez suffered from a severe case of COVID-19 infection.

His symptoms manifested gradually, but his condition eventually worsened and he had to be rushed to the hospital.

"Nakikita ng doctor na mababa masyado 'yung level ng oxygen saturation ko," he said. "Ang normal is actually around 95 to 100 percent, 'yung sa akin umabot ng 66 percent."

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

Erik was first given oxygen therapy, but it did nothing to ease his breathing. Doctors also tried Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to no avail.

He was intubated afterwards, but he did not respond to the ventilator. By that time, only one-fourth of his lungs was not yet affected by the virus.

The hospital called his cousin, Melissa Peralta, who is based on the Isle of Man in the UK. They told her the situation was not looking good for Erik, but they offered one more medical intervention: the ECMO machine.

"Hindi siya per se treatment, parang ito muna 'yung nagiging temporary natin na baga for the meantime habang nagre-recover 'yung ating lungs," explained Dr. Rod Castro of Makati Medical Center.

ECMO, which stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is used on patients with heart and lung issues. It takes the blood from the body, oxygenates it, and sends it back to the heart through the vein.

England only had 30 ECMO beds in 2019. The demand increased due to the pandemic, and by the time Erik needed it, there was only one left.

He was chosen among three patients to use it. The machine costs $5,000–$10,000 (P250,000–P500,000) per day, but as a British citizen, Erik availed of it for free.

His condition, however, kept on fluctuating even with life support. Sometimes he only needed 40% of oxygen from the ventilator, sometimes 60%.

"Noong umabot ng 100% na ang ni-require ni Erik sa ventilator, wala… nawalan na kami ng pag-asa," Melissa said.

She was told that Erik could die any time. The hospital offered her the chance to sit with him in his last moments, but she could not fly out due to the lockdown.

"Noong sinabi nila na nagda-dialysis na siya, I was preparing myself for a funeral," she said.

Erlinda, Erik's mother, could do nothing but pray for her son's recovery.

"Sabi ko, Diyos ko, bigyan ninyo naman ng milagro ang anak ko. Pagbigyan ninyo na bata pa ang anak ko, sabi ko," she said.

Her prayer was answered. Erik's condition started improve after weeks in coma.

"Sabi ko, 'I want to see him.' So vinideo nila siya," Melissa said. "Kahit ano siya— nagde-delirium siya, e—grabe siya ka-agitated. Kumaway pa siya!"

"'Yun ngang sabi nila na miracle, e. Hindi nila ine-expect na mabuhay siya," she added. "It's a complete turn-around."

Erik had to be on physical therapy to learn how to move his body again after spending weeks on the hospital bed, but he is looking forward to getting back to work for his staff and his patients.

"I realized na I need God," he said. "Kailangan ko si Lord para mabuhay, mabuhay ako, mapagaling ako at ma-continue ko 'yung mga gusto kong gawin sa buhay." —MGP, GMA News