SAN ANTONIO, Texas. (NewsNation) — A Texas man got ready for his wedding day from his hospital bed inside the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio after spending more than a month of life support from coronavirus complications.
Officials at the hospital said Carlos Muniz has been on life support for a more than a month.
“He contracted COVID-19 back in early July and progressively got worse as time was going on and ended up on ECMO for almost 20 days,” said nurse Matt Holdridge.
ECMO is a last resort measure that has been effective in treating coronavirus patients.
The disease almost took his life and his wedding day until hospital staff took matters into their own hands and had the wedding in the hospital.
“We also had to plan a way to get him out of the room and into the atrium so he could actually have the ceremony,” Holdridge said. “That took 4 to 5 people… an infusionist, a respiratory therapist, and a doctor that was on standby. We had to make sure we had everything that we need in the event that something would happen.”
The staff planned a full socially distant wedding, even keeping the bride hidden away before her big reveal. With bouquet in hand, Muniz’s bride Grace walked down the hallway to meet her groom and exchange vows. She thanked the hospital for their support.
“You know you have a very difficult job but just know that you are appreciated by many, many people,” she said. “We constantly pray for you all and your safety. And for your safety for your loved ones. We know you have to take a risk every time you show up to work so just thank you so much.”
The day after the wedding, Muniz got out of bed for the first time and four days later he was taken off ECMO, according to hospital officials.
Their love story served as an inspiration to the entire staff.
“We do these things as nurses, as health care professionals because we feel like it’s our purpose here,” said Holdridge. “We feel like it’s our role in society. And during this pandemic, we’ve had to find creative ways to connect with our patients due to the isolation.”
According to Holdridge, Muniz still has residual effects from the virus.
But for now the Texas couple is taking on the next chapter in their love story in sickness and in health.