Altus Nurse Makes Remarkable Recovery From COVID-19

Erica Aguinaga could hardly breathe when her children rushed her to the hospital in Altus on July 19.

She ended up at Integris Baptist in Oklahoma City just days later.

“It’s horrible to wake up in an ICU or any hospital and not know where you are,” said Aguinaga.

The mother of three tells us she doesn't remember much of her treatment, including the weeks on a ventilator keeping her alive.

But Aguinaga does recall hearing from the medical staff on the severity of her condition.

“That’s when I got scared that I wasn’t going to make it,” said Aguinaga.

Erica believed she had a compromised immune system when the pandemic first struck.

For her and her family’s safety, she left her job as a nurse. But two of her kids and a grandchild, were also diagnosed with COVID.

They recovered quickly.

Erica was in the hospital for three weeks but finally made the turn for the better last week.

“I don't think I tell my kids every day I love them, but my kids, my grandkids they are my whole world,” said Aguinaga.

After weeks in and out of consciousness on a hospital bed, the grandmother is now rehabilitating at Jim Thorpe.

“I'm excited to be out of here. I’m excited to see my family again. God has given me another chance,” said Aguinaga.

The friends and family have started a GoFundMe page to help with Erica’s medical expenses.