Manuel Medina is now a single father of three, report KHOU. His wife, Veronica Bernal, died weeks after giving birth to twins as a result of COVID-19. She apparently contracted the virus while pregnant. “She was happy. She loved them. Just remember all the good things about her,” said Manuel Medina, as he grapples with his new reality.
Medina had no idea that Christmas with Bernal would be his last. The couple was expecting twins. “I think what makes it the hardest is that her leaving so soon, and just her not being able to raise the kids and see them,” Medina said through tears.
Days after Christmas, Bernal, tested positive for COVID-19 at 36-years-old. Her condition deteriorated quickly. “She just woke up in the middle of the night screaming saying to me she couldn’t breathe,” recounted Medina.
Bernal was immediately transported to Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, where doctors put her on a ventilator and dialysis. In order to give her and her twins a fighting chance, the medical staff decided to induce Bernal’s labor at seven months.
“She was just in the ICU. Nobody could see her,” says Medina. After giving birth on Jan. 6, Bernal died on Jan. 25, without ever getting a chance to even hold her babies. “It’s just hard. It’s a lot to take in,” said Medina.
The young father has continued to work to provide for his family financially, leaving him no time to grieve for his loss. You can find his gofundme page here.