Family Prays For Mother Of 3 On Ventilator With COVID-19

A mother of three from Altus has been fighting COVID-19 on a ventilator at Integris Baptist for the past nine days.

“She always puts others above herself,” Marissa Villegas said about her sister-in-law, 43-year-old Erica Aguinaga.

Aguinaga was rushed to an emergency room July 19 when she couldn’t breathe after walking down the hall.

“Around 7 that evening she had to be put on a ventilator,” Villegas said.

Aguinaga has since been transferred to Integris Baptist.

For the past year, the registered nurse has believed she has a compromised immune system and had been undergoing testing. 

When the pandemic struck months ago, she left her job at a nursing home to stay home and watch over her grandchildren.

“She is the one who has kept the family together, so we are kind of going crazy,” Villegas said.

So far, Aguinaga, her son, daughter and grandson have all tested positive for COVID-19.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in their time of need.

“I don't want her to have to worry about bills and other stresses,” Villegas said. “I want her to take an easy rest and get better.”

The family recently received encouraging news that Aguinaga required less oxygen from the ventilator than when she was first admitted.

Villegas’ message to others is don't delay if you need help.

“The nurse said she waited too long to go to the hospital,” Villegas said.

If you’d like to donate, a link to the GoFundMe page can be found here.