About a week ago, Rafa Andarias, a resident of Xàbia and a doctor at the Dénia Hospital, came home after a month and a half hospitalized. With this immense joy, surrounded by family, friends and neighbors, from a distance, he left behind his fight against the coronavirus.
The battle started in the middle of March, when Andarias himself, after suffering several days of coughing, began to have a fever and later dyspnea (shortness of breath). With this viral picture, he entered internal medicine and when he did not improve with the days, he was transferred to the ICU. There it is tubed and placed face down (best treatment position to combat COVID-19) for about two weeks.
His condition suffers ups and downs with the passing of the days, becoming critical on Saturday April 11, when he started stronger medical treatment and the recording of a message of encouragement from his wife, Paqui, arises, done that makes you react. From that moment, Rafa Andarias, improves leaving the ICU days later (April 23) and being discharged on Thursday, April 30.
"Being well again depends on me"
Without a doubt, a hard fight that continues now, at home. Andarias performs daily physical therapy and breathing exercises, "When I left the ICU, I couldn't stand up, I lost seven kilos, I lack tone and muscle strength, and I'm learning to walk again"Rafa explains and adds, "Although I already take short steps without help, I lack ease and walk more safely. At the moment I cannot climb stairs or run".
But his great strength, tenacity and perseverance will make him return to his daily life in a few weeks: "I have weeks of recovery, but every day he did all the exercises. To be well again, to regain all mobility and that the lung is as it always is, depends on me and I work daily on it."
"Favorable evolution"
Our protagonist today tells us that, despite the anemia he suffers, he is fine and surprises us by announcing that the two PCRs that have been done to me have been negative, "Apparently I am on the right track, my evolution is favorable although perhaps they will perform a third PCR to confirm" Great news, but that Rafa creates a doubt: Is he immune?
"I am afraid of passing it again. I have had a very extensive viral load and this question creates some uncertainty. We know that when we suffer a disease or are vaccinated from it, we cannot have it again or we suffer it more slightly, but in this case It is a new one, of which we do not know everything, not only citizens, but also scientists. Am I immune? There are several strains of this virus and it is not known if I can re-infect myself or what is the duration of the virus. immunity", Andarias relates.
Given the future coronavirus vaccine, this neighbor of Xàbia, as a doctor, points out that making a vaccine takes a long time, "They talk about a possible one in September, which seems premature since it takes a long time until it is perfected".
"That people do not trust and follow precautions"
As we all know, for the moment and until the vaccine arrives, our daily life must be based on safety, hygiene and precautionary measures; "I want to send my regret for the deceased and their families and a message of congratulations to all those who have suffered and passed the virus, but we must not forget the measures we must follow, that people do not trust themselves. With this disease so new and unknown you have to walk with lead feet ", Rafa review.
Overcoming this disease or any other makes life look different. In this health crisis, the appreciation of insignificant things or of giving importance to what until now we have ignored has been noticed. For Andarias, "to see the sky again, the sparrows and the MontgoThrough the window, upon reaching the room after leaving the ICU, it created an indescribable, immense sensation.
The future
Now, Rafa, a lover of culture, who combines his profession as a doctor with writing (he published the novel Reina Victoria Hotel, takes advantage of his spare time to dedicate them, a little, to literature, "Before falling ill I read three books, one per week, more or less: Terra Alta by Javier Cercas, Valentín by Juan Gil Albert and Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós. Now, I am waiting for the publication of the latest work by Joel Dicker, but while I keep reading Pérez Galdós ".
And in the future?, "The coronavirus has changed the life of all of us: lifestyle, future plans and coping with the labor and economic situation; issues that affect all citizens in leisure time and in the planned plans".
Andarias, who is also the director of the Living Chess of Xàbia (Festival of National Tourist Interest), tells us before his suspension that, "The celebration of this type of event is unfeasible with the new situation we are going through. It brings together a large number of people, it requires contact and also organization time, so the stoppage of activity by the State of Alarm and the Conditions make it happen next year. This year's is not a lost job, it will continue, but there are changes, for the next 2021. "
Our hero today and hero appreciates all the messages of encouragement received, "I have noticed the warmth and support of the people of Jávea as well as my family and friends. I have felt loved and filled with pride. Both in this situation and in other difficult moments that the town has experienced (fire, storm) I have seen to a Javea that I did not know, a solidarity Xàbia ".
We are glad that Rafa Andarias is already at home.
His contribution to people's well-being, but also to the culture and youth of Xàbia / Jávea is a luxury.
We want you to fully recover and take whatever time is necessary for your recovery.
Later… we wait for you!