Orange County

‘I am still struggling’: Woman who lost husband to COVID-19 continues battling symptoms herself

A woman who took an emotional hit when her husband died of COVID-19 is in the middle of her own medical battle nearly a year later.

The South Orlando woman’s husband was one of the first 500 people who died in Florida.

Now, as we approach 33,000 deaths, she still grieving the loss of her husband and her own healthy life.

READ: Florida reports 5,100 new coronavirus cases, 31 virus-related deaths

Cecilia Lawton one of millions of people with “Long COVID,” symptoms that linger long after they catch the virus.

Lawton lost her husband Marvin and some sense of self.

Like a third of all confirmed cases, while Lawton technically was moved to the “recovered” column, she was far from it.

READ: COVID-19 vaccine: All adults are eligible for vaccines in these states; more to open up soon

“I am still struggling with severe fatigue,” Lawton said. “I have very little muscle strength. Just simply thinking a word and saying it I will think of word and say something different.”

Doctors said some of their patients indicate a potential light at the end of a very dark year for people like Lawton.

Millions of long-haulers have seen improvement in their symptoms since getting the vaccine.

Study: Rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout “backfired” in Florida

“The vaccine induces very good immune responses against the virus that can clean up any residual or leftover virus,” said Dr. Akiko Iwasaki.

More data is still needed, but many doctors believe people whose bodies didn’t make enough antibodies to fight off the tiniest bits of infection are now producing enough due to the vaccine, and getting better.

“Had I had an opportunity to get a vaccine before I got sick? I definitely would have and there’s definitely no question about it,” Lawton said. “Now, I think everybody should do the vaccinations to protect themselves because you just don’t know what it’s going to do to you.”

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.