'I don't want to die;' Man battling for his life 6 months after getting COVID-19
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 29-year-old is now fighting for his life six months after getting COVID-19, which caused his health to seriously decline.
With machines and tubes connected to his body, Miguel Diaz uses all his strength to share a video message about the effects of COVID-19. Barely able to speak after a stroke affected his vocal cords, he makes sure his message isn't silenced.
"This started with COVID-19," said Miguel.
In the video, he shows us what's keeping him alive. "Feeding tube," he said, pointing at the tube coming from his mouth. Right before getting the virus in 2020, the 29-year-old had just started a new job.
"He's just a great person. He's a very creative person," said Juan Diaz, Miguel's brother.
In the fall, Juan said Miguel started to have fatigue and shortness of breath. Miguel tested positive for COVID-19 in late October and later ended up in the hospital.
"He was already cleared from COVID, but he was still having complications," said Juan.
It was the first of nine trips to the hospital. His most recent stay has been two months long.
"I have congestive heart failure," said Miguel.
His family told ABC13 Miguel's kidneys and heart are failing and now needs a heart transplant.
"(It was) suggested twice that it might be time to remove treatment and, that's just like the worst thing that you could ever tell anybody," said Juan.
That was two weeks ago. Now, Miguel has made some progress, but it has been slow.
"When they told me that, I said, 'Give me two or three days more, please,'" said Elena Diaz, Miguel's mother. "He told me, 'I want to live mom. Please help me. I don't want to die. I don't want to die.'"
Miguel has been going through some physical therapy. He's hoping his story raises awareness about the dangers of COVID-19.
"He just wants to remind people ... people susceptible to this infection, they can end up where he is," said Juan.
His family is already dealing with large medical expenses and have set up a GoFundMe for assistance.
