Floresville man recovering from COVID-19 after fighting for his life in hospital

Saint Anthony – A Floresville man who never thought he would contract COVID-19 had to fight for his life against the virus at a local hospital.

“I thought it would probably be asymptomatic and the next thing I know, when I got it, was near the deathbed,” said Luis Garcia, who is now recovering from COVID-19.

Garcia, 29, is an officer in Kennedy’s police department. He said his attack with the virus began with coughing and headaches. It was later confirmed to be COVID-19.

“On the fourth day, I started having a fever,” Garcia said.

His wife also had COVID-19, but showed only mild symptoms. Garcia ended up in the hospital with respiratory failure.

“When I was sedated, I could hear my wife and dad calling, trying to cheer me up, telling me I could get it, keep fighting,” Garcia said.

Garcia was receiving treatment at a local hospital before he was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in July.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was put in place, a method to provide cardiac and pulmonary support to patients.

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Garcia had a tracheotomy, was removed from the ECMO and placed on a ventilator.

“There were times when I just wanted to give up,” Garcia said. But, he said his family was his motivation.

On August 23, he was transferred to Texsan Methodist Hospital and rehabilitation began.

“Right now, I’m still walking slowly again,” Garcia said.

Before getting COVID-19, Garcia said he did not take safety precautions and did not have the vaccine.

“As soon as they lifted the mask mandate, I stopped wearing a mask and started going out to restaurants everywhere,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he now feels different and encourages people to take the vaccine, social distance and wear a mask.

After successfully completing rehabilitation, Garcia will return home Monday with supplemental oxygen and hopes to return to the police someday.

“I’m so grateful to be alive,” Garcia said.

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