LOOK: UST doctor recovering from coronavirus gets ‘gift of life’ on her 27th birthday

Image: Facebook/Carmina Fuentebella

A University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) resident doctor, who is battling COVID-19, got what she said is the best gift she could receive on her birthday—the gift of life.

Dr. Carmina Fuentebella confirmed that she is on her way to full recovery as she celebrates her 27th birthday today, April 24. The doctor profusely expressed her gratitude to her family and her fellow healthcare workers via her Facebook post on the same day.

“[This] past couple of weeks have been really tough for me, but I could only imagine how much harder it has been for everyone else,” she said. “It took me quite a while to fully comprehend what I just went through, but I’m really grateful to everyone who has been with me all the way.”

Fuentebella thanked her family, fellow doctors, nurses and the rest of the hospital staff for “going out of your way to see if I was still breathing.” The doctor also recalled how these people stayed up on countless nights just to make sure she was okay.

“[For] enduring with me through every step of this hardship, and for all the things you did I was too sick to even know—from the bottom of my heart, I really really thank you,” she added.

The young doctor also sent her appreciation to her friends and the public for their countless prayers and support. Fuentebella said that even though she could not thank them all personally, she was eternally grateful to all of them.

The COVID-19 patient also assured them that she will return to the frontlines of the battle against the virus once she was strong enough to work again.

“It is, and it will always be an honor for me to train and serve under USTH,” she stated.

Lastly, Fuentebella sent a message to her fellow frontliners: “I pray you all remain safe as this pandemic continues to wreak havoc. We still have a long way to go, but I hope we can all stay healthy as we try to defeat this virus.”

https://www.facebook.com/mina019/posts/10219558422484486:0

UST has also acknowledged its alumna’s ongoing recovery via its Facebook page today.

“Her fight with COVID-19 at the young age of 26 made rounds on social media, especially among members of the Thomasian community,” the university said. “Today, her 27th birthday, Medicine alumna Dr. Carmina Fuentebella posted this message of gratitude for all those who helped her fight the virus.”

https://www.facebook.com/UST1611official/posts/3237435136268248

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, April 23, the number of individuals who have contracted COVID-19 has almost reached 7,000 (or exactly 6,981).

The Department of Health has also recorded 462 deaths due to COVID-19, while 722 individuals have recovered.  /ra

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