'A Tragic Love Story:' Engaged Somerset Couple Battles COVID-19

RARITAN, NJ — Everything was happy and blissful when Raritan eye doctor Brian Rosenblatt and Angel Brown Jett got engaged in late September. A week later, both tested positive for the coronavirus.

Jett recovered but their love story quickly turned tragic as Rosenblatt, who has underlying conditions of cancer and leukemia, was hospitalized. He has been on life support for more than 2 months.

"It's the tragic love story. It's a beautiful love story with a tragedy in the middle," said Jett.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Jett's sisters to help the couple cover medical expenses and therapy along with helping to keep his practice at 80 E Somerset Street going.

Jett, an emergency room nurse, said Rosenblatt began showing symptoms on Oct. 6. She took him straight to the hospital due to his underlying conditions. He tested positive for COVID-19, while Jett was negative at the time. After being checked they were sent home.

A few days later Jett also tested positive. However, on Oct. 12 Rosenblatt's condition worsened and Jett took him to Hunterdon Medical Center. He was then placed on a ventilator on Oct. 16, said Jett.

On Oct. 24 Rosenblatt's condition was in serious trouble and he was flown to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia where he was put into a medically induced coma.

Rosenblatt remained in a coma for 7 weeks with Jett taking time off work to stay with him. A week before Thanksgiving Rosenblatt woke up.

The hospital is currently conducting lung exercises to get Rosenblatt off the ventilator but it is a process, said Jett.

"He has had pneumonia three times since being on the ventilator," said Jett. "It is such a whirlwind. He literally can't even hold a pencil. His body is so deconditioned from being in the coma for 7 weeks that he will need occupational and speech therapy."

All of this time at the hospital has mounted medical bills to more than $1 million, estimates Jett.

While insurance will cover 80 percent of the cost after the deductible, Jett worries about paying the remaining balance. Additionally, she noted that most insurance plans have a limit on therapy and Rosenblatt will need a lot of therapy to recover.

"He has been off work since he tested positive and despite that, he is trying to keep the doors open on his practice. He is trying to pay rent, staff, etc.," said Jett.

Jett also has been out of work on family medical leave since Rosenblatt was admitted to the hospital.

"I had planned to return because I was worried about expenses but then I found out yesterday my dad was diagnosed with cancer," said Jett.

Since Jett's sisters launched the GoFundMe page just over $33,000 has been raised. Along with medical expenses, money raised will be used for Rosenblatt's office including building rent, equipment lease, staffing cost, vendor and supplier cost, practice insurance and self-pay medical insurance for Rosenblatt and staff.

"All of the donations are greatly appreciated," said Jett. "He has been gone for months and it will be months before Brian will be able to return. Anything people can donate is greatly appreciated."

Jett noted the amount of love and support she has been receiving from the community and Rosenblatt's patients.

"Everyone is family to Brian. He has been at his practice for 28 years," said Jett. "He knows everyone on a first-name basis. They all love him and he definitely loves them."

To donate to Rosenblatt and Jett's GoFundMe click here.

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