Benjamin Little thought he was invincible.
The 43-year-old retired Army staff sergeant survived a tour to Iraq in 2007 and multiple IED blasts, which left him with a traumatic brain injury, vision loss, hearing loss and post traumatic stress disorder.
So when the pandemic began, Little said he wasn鈥檛 the least bit concerned.
鈥淚 thought, if I get sick, I鈥檒l just take some NyQuil, drink some Theraflu and I鈥檒l get better,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut then when I got sick and was put on life support, I鈥檓 thinking 鈥楬ow could this happen?鈥
鈥淚 live a healthy lifestyle. I don鈥檛 smoke, I don鈥檛 drink. I don鈥檛 do drugs. I eat healthy. And here I am, fighting for my life.鈥
Little is one of 395 veterans and employees at the 蜜柚直播 VA Medical Center to contract coronavirus since the pandemic began. As of Saturday, there were 14 active cases and 35 known deaths, the VA said.
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After contracting the virus and quarantining at home for about a week, Little returned to the hospital on Aug. 4 and was immediately intubated.
鈥淢y chest felt really tight and my girlfriend noticed that my color had changed. She said I looked bluish,鈥 he said. 鈥淲ithin a half an hour or so of going back to the hospital, I was intubated. It was so fast.鈥
With no underlying conditions or complications, Little was taken off the ventilator just 4 days later and was discharged from the hospital on Aug. 14. Back at home, Little is battling the aftermath and long-term impact of the virus and is still relying on oxygen to help him breathe.
鈥淚 was at a hospital for a short period of time, but I still lost between 10 and 20 pounds of muscle,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not able to take care of myself right now. I鈥檓 relying on somebody else to cook for me, to bring me stuff. I get winded just getting up to go to the bathroom. I hope to one day get back to a good fitness level. But that鈥檚 such a long-term goal right now. My short-term goal is to obviously just wean myself off the oxygen and put some weight back on.鈥
As someone who goes to the gym multiple times a week, Little said his biggest concern is that he might have respiratory issues for the rest of his life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 scary to think that it kills people and causes long-term damage that scientists and doctors don鈥檛 even understand yet,鈥 he said.
With a long road to recovery ahead, Little said he understands now that nobody is immune to the impact of COVID-19.
鈥淲e become complacent and we wear the mask and do all this stuff simply because we鈥檝e been mandated to. But this virus is very real,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 care what color you are, what age you are, how wealthy you are. It鈥檒l attack you. And when it does, you could be in a fight for your life. Take it seriously.鈥
Protecting 蜜柚直播 veterans
Like many other health-care facilities throughout the state, the Southern 蜜柚直播 VA Health Care System has put several precautions in place to protect patients and employees. It has created additional units to increase ICU and surgical bed capacity, performed extensive testing, stocked up on personal protective equipment and limited visitors to the hospital.
To date, the VA has distributed over $21 million to the 蜜柚直播 center, which helps to fund medical supplies such as ventilators, pharmaceuticals, beds and tents.
鈥淎t the very beginning of the pandemic, access to rapid turnaround testing made diagnosis challenging. The symptoms and presentations for COVID-19 are very nonspecific and can be seen in many different conditions,鈥 said Dr. John Kettelle, chief of staff at the Southern 蜜柚直播 VA Health Care System. 鈥淥nce testing became more readily available, treatment became more of an issue regarding which therapeutic options were most effective.鈥
Most veterans also face different challenges and risks when it comes to COVID-19. According to Kettelle, the veteran population tends to be older with increased comorbidities 鈥 having more than one chronic diseases or condition simultaneously. Because of this, the 蜜柚直播 VA has implemented additional safeguards for its nursing home residents and spinal cord injury patients, who are particularly vulnerable to infections.
The 蜜柚直播 VA has also committed to caring for nonveterans as the national emergency continues. At any given time, it is able to accommodate up to 10 nonveterans to support community hospitals across Southern 蜜柚直播.
鈥淭he SAVAHCS is committed to helping our region respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥 said Jennifer Gutowski, director of the 蜜柚直播 VA. 鈥淐aring for veterans is our first mission, but across Southern 蜜柚直播, we are also helping the local community.鈥
Employees from several different departments have come together to care for COVID-19 patients and track their recovery, Kettelle said. This is especially important, he said, as the medical community continues to learn about the virus鈥檚 long-term effects.
鈥淭his work is important as it has an impact on multiple levels. On an individual level, the unified care has helped many of the patients with severe cases of COVID-19 to recover and return home,鈥 he said. 鈥淎dditionally, we monitor patients who did not require hospitalization in their home to ensure they are recovering appropriately. ... These efforts help to prevent the spread of the virus through the general community.鈥
Photos for May 29: 蜜柚直播 gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

The iconic Casa Molina bull and matador statue both sport masks on the first full week of the loosening of COVID19 restrictions, May 23, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz. The bull previously had a mask on the testicles.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, and her son Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, wave at staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department during a car parade, celebrating Lino's graduation, outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, brings celebration balloons to a car after staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department celebrate Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, graduation with a car parade outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Personnel from 蜜柚直播 Medical Center line the heliport to watch A-10's from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 355th Wing and F-16's from the 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard's 162nd Wing make a pass over the facility, one leg of an area wide community flyover, May 14, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Nancy Celix-Campos, right, a respitory therapist at 蜜柚直播 Medical Center, watches the military flyover with her daughters, Giana, 12, and Jazmyn, 8, from Sentinel Peak on May 14, 2020. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard脮s 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over 蜜柚直播 area hospitals to honor healthcare personnel and first responders as they are some of the frontline workers dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) head on. "It's been an exhausting two to three months," says Campos, "it's pretty cool, I like how they're going by each hospital."
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard鈥檚 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Northwest Medical Center north of 蜜柚直播 on May 14, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

A letter carrier portrait on the Ok Market building, located in the Armory Park neighborhood, is adorned with a face mask on May 18, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Rosemary Garcia waits for a family member outside of a store at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 19, 2020. Malls reopened today under CDC guidelines and Gov. Ducey's new rules for businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Park Place Mall has signs throughout the mall reminding customers to keep a six feet distance as well as hand sanitizer stations near each entrance. About half of the tables in the food court have been removed to allow for social distances as well as less than half of the stores have opened with new guidelines. Of the stores open, only 10 customers are allowed to shop in each store at a time.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Pat Schlote steams clothing before it is put on the sales floor at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop in Catalina, Ariz., on May 21, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Ada Contreras, teaching assistant, looks through containers while reorganizing toys at Herencia Guadalupana Lab School, 6740 S. in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. As Child care centers begin to re-open when they are ready, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School is reorganizing and cleaning everything in the facility before re-opening on June 2. To allow for social distancing and decrease the amount of items children touch, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School has sheds where items will go as well as placing items in containers organized by category.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Jen Martinez, right, softball coach, teaches Skylar Reilly about hitting during a session at Centerfield Baseball Academy, 5120 S. Julian Dr., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. After re-opening on Monday, Centerfield Baseball Academy has implemented new policies in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic such as wearing masks, cleaning, signage, hand sanitizer and limiting the amount of people inside the facility.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Karl Bosma, left, and George Cantua, with facilities and maintenance, lay down stickers to mark six-foot separation distance around one of the baggage carousels, part of the efforts at 蜜柚直播 International Airport to work within the restrictions of COVID19, May 22, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

A lone passenger waits for a flight near one of the shuttered restaurants in the B Gates before Memorial Day at 蜜柚直播 International Airport on May 22, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Drew Cooper on the stage in the St. Philip's Plaza courtyard, May 22, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz., where live music is back on the schedule.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Many people visit Tumamoc Hill during the first day of Tumamoc's re-opening in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. After being closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tumamoc Hill re-opened with some modifications. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the hike to the top as well as arrows, spaced 10-ft apart, lined up and down the hill. Some runners, hikers and walkers are also wearing masks during their hike. "The steps we are taking aim to provide our community with needed exercise, connection to our beautiful desert and a sense of comfort in such a trying time, while balancing the fact that gathering as a community endangers each of us and our loved ones. This is an unprecedented challenge that we are taking extremely seriously," said Benjamin T. Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill. Visitors are also asked to limit their group to three people and to not touch the gate at the top of the hill- a tradition for some who make it to the top. "This is a time when we need to establish new traditions and adapt in a creative manner that embraces empathy, unity, care and patience," Wilder said.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Pen Macias, artist, works on part 2 of a mural for a client on E. Broadway Rd., between S. Columbus Blvd. and S. Alvernon Way, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. Macias, known as The Desert Pen, has been working on her clients mural for the past three months. "It's the one thing I love, I have a passion for and the only thing I could be happy doing," said Macias. The mural represents her client, a single mother of four who works in the health care field. One half of the mural is dedicated to the connection between mothers and their children. The other half is dedicated to the connection between nurses and patients. The client wanted some positivity in the mural to show how nurses give a piece of themselves to their patients hence the puzzle pieces in the nurse and the patients, said Macias.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Christina Cortinas, posing at her home, May 28, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz., with a photo of her and her mother, Catherine Rodriguez, in San Diego, 1991. Rodriguez is currently in assisted living and fighting COVID19. Cortinas hasn't seen her mother in months, the longest such span in her life.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic

Ruben Lopez looks through handouts while attending a Eviction Resource Fair with his family outside the Pima County Justice Court.