‘Don’t be a statistic’: 28-year-old makes progress after fighting for life post-COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Texas man who spent more than five months at UF Health Jacksonville battling the effects of COVID-19 is making progress on his road to recovery.

Action News Jax first told you about Fabian Granado’s journey back in November when the virus had damaged his lungs so badly that they couldn’t hold up on their own.

On Feb. 1 he was discharged from UF Health Jacksonville.

RELATED: 27-year-old hospitalized with COVID-19 for 164 days heads home

Fabian is from Texas but was in Florida for commercial diving school.

Granado, 28, is now able to work again.

This time: at the State Fair of Texas.

“Now, I’m able to work a full day which is amazing,” Fabian said.

A month ago, Fabian’s pulmonologist said his lungs were at 40 percent, and he was told that he would probably not even get to 80 percent.

“The pulmonologist was shocked at the condition that I’m still alive in the first place,” Fabian said.

Fabian said it’s about taking things one moment at a time and putting his trust in God.

“Miraculously, I was able to wean myself off oxygen for a good majority of the time,” Fabian said. “I still use it when I go to bed at night, but as of right now, I really don’t need oxygen.

Fabian told Action News Jax that in August 2021, he couldn’t stop coughing. His roommates were able to get him out of bed and to an ambulance as he began to suffer shortness of breath. His heart even stopped a couple of times.

That’s how Fabian spent more than five months at UF Health Jacksonville battling the effects of COVID-19.

Fabian was not vaccinated against COVID-19 but says he wishes he had made that decision.

“Sitting around the house is not the way to enjoy life,” Fabian said. “You can’t just sit there and expect good things to happen. You’ve got to work towards those things. When I was in the hospital, I wasn’t necessarily just laying there -- I was having to work to stay alive.”

Fabian’s dad, Rene, has been by his side every step of the way.

“Fabian was determined to survive and live,” Rene said. “I’m confident Fabian will, always with God’s blessings, survive and exceed expectations.”

The Granados said they cannot thank the UF Health Jacksonville staff enough for their support even to this day, continuing to check in on Fabian and his journey to healing.

“Don’t be a statistic,” Fabian said. “Be the opposition. You’ve got this.”

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