Long Island 'Miracle Patient' Released After 111-Day COVID Fight

MANHASSET, NY — After 111 days of fighting the coronavirus and multiple near-death experiences, Tito Velasquez of Valley Stream was finally able to return home, and earned the title of "miracle patient."

Months after being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, Velasquez, 36, was greeted by his joyful family and the staff of the Northwell Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation as he was sent off.

“I feel really grateful,” Velasquez said through an interpreter, adding that he was going to continue his life after treatment “one day at a time, whatever God brings.”

Velasquez was first admitted to the emergency room at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital on April 28th with the coronavirus, and was barely able to get any oxygen. Even with a ventilator, his oxygen level was still dangerously low.

Doctors realized that not only did Velasquez have the coronavirus, but he had also suffered a stroke. Doctors broke up the blood clot in his brain, but he still wasn't getting enough oxygen.

The doctors used a special device called an ECMO machine to help oxygenate Velasquez's blood. After he was hooked up to the ECMO machine, he was transferred to Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, where he spent a month on the machine and on a ventilator. While there, Velasquez suffered another stroke and a collapsed lung.

After a month at LIJ, Velasquez was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco on June 9 to start rehabilitation in its Acute Ventilator Recovery Unit. Velasquez still needed the ventilator to breathe, and was paralyze don his left side.

At the rehabilitation center, Velasquez was slowly weaned off the ventilator, and rebuilt the strength to breath, walk and eat on his own.

“Tito has had a tremendous journey,” said Dr. Richard Stumacher, chief of pulmonology and critical care at Northern Westchester, who oversaw Mr. Velasquez’ care. “He never gave up, mentally or emotionally. When I saw him stand up and take those first few steps and walk down the hallway, it was incredible.”

On July 10, Velasquez was transferred to the Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation in Manhasset, where he completed his recovery. He was discharged on Aug. 17.

“Seeing Mr. Velasquez walk out of Stern today on his own was probably one of the most satisfying moments of my career,” said Dr. Kiki Poumpouridis, a cardiologist at LIJ Valley Stream, who treated Valesquez when he was first admitted. “He came in very sick and the chances of him walking out with any kind of function was so low that to see him walk out, fully recovered, made me cry.”