Young mother shares her experience with long-COVID a year later

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that anywhere from 5% to 80% of people infected experience long-term symptoms.

WRAL News checked back in with one Duke patient who spent nearly two months in the hospital fighting for her life. She explained how the virus continues to leave a mark.

Felicia Cabrera-Saez went to Duke University hospital for what she thought was a sinus infection. Instead, she ended up spending 45 days there with COVID-19 while five months pregnant.

March marks about one year since that traumatic experience — and she’s still struggling to breathe, walk and live a normal life.

Cell-phone video captured the heartwarming moment when Cabrera-Saez was finally discharged from the hospital last spring and greeted by her daughter.

“I got a second, third chance at life because so many times they told me I could’ve died,” she said.

Doctors had to intubate her and use life saving treatment, to keep her and her unborn baby at the time Jayden alive.

“COVID ruined my life,” she said.

Life as she knew it before is gone for now. She’s experiencing long-term effects from the virus several months later.

“The little things that you enjoy like laughter is complicated or compromised because your lungs don’t work like they used to,” she said getting emotional. “So it’s like you’re trying to enjoy the little things in life even after the sickness and even that is being hindered,” she added.

At just 35 years old she’s dealing with complications like heart disease, lung problems, fatigue, altered taste and smell and fluctuating mental health.

“I’m dealing with my heightened anxiety. I had two panic attacks in the grocery store crying because people were too close and didn’t wear their masks, and I couldn’t do it because it was just too much for me,” she said.

She is not alone. Many people who have been infected with COVID-19 are dealing with similar symptoms.

"COVID long-haulers" are people who experience symptoms like fatigue, headaches coughing and more several months after being infected.

Cabrera-Saez has done everything from home care visits, trips to the cardiologist, therapist and more. She’s taking several different types of medication to help her heal from all the trauma and pain.

“When I try to be on the move like I used to be, I get exhausted. I get sick. I can’t do the things I used to do," she said.

Due to these circumstances, she hasn’t been able to return to work. This continues to add another layer of social and emotional impact on her life.

“One thing I got from this whole experience is my son. I tell people sometimes I ended up gaining an angel on earth. He saved my life,” she said.

Her motivation to stay strong and optimism for the future stems from her two children and faith.

She has also been able to speak up more about her experience, educating those around her by encouraging them to take the virus seriously.

“I’m hoping that people really listen and really take heed to what’s going on and try to be a part of the change,” she said.

“This is somebody who has personally been through it. Who’s family went through it. My sister, she moved her whole life around, for me because of this. My family has come closer together because of this because it is something that we deal with as a whole,” she added.

Although she has been through an unbelievable year, she remains positive and does not dwell on all of the hardships.

“We’re going to get through it. Time heals. Time is all we need and I feel like God gave me the opportunity to have more time. I was left here for a reason and I’m able to share my story,” she said.