Cleora Rodriguez, 46, left the UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Campus in early November after spending more than 90 days hospitalized with COVID-19.
He was critically ill with COVID-19 when he was admitted in August. During the fall months, health care providers started calling him “our patient.”
When Rodriguez was discharged, the UTMB staff celebrated his success story. They brought signs, cards, bells and balloons, and shouted good-bye as his car drove away.
“He is our COVID story,” said Sherry Marques, nurse manager of the acute care unit and the medical and surgical units at the Angleton Danbury Campus.
His son Jesus was with him on the day he was discharged, Nov. 2. It was also Jesus’ 21st birthday.
Jesus couldn’t think of a better birthday present, he told health care workers who gathered to celebrate Rodriguez’s trip home.
“Mr. Rodriguez and his family touched us so much throughout the journey to recovery that he is definitely considered family,” said Meisha Wilson, rehabilitation manager. “We treat everyone as if they are our loved ones in our care and want to always provide quality care. It was amazing to see how he improved every time we worked with him. He was determined and in turn, that gave us all the hope and determination to get him home as well.”
When his doctor said he could go home, she felt proud and happy, Wilson said.
“He is our walking miracle, our milagro caminando,” she said.