Coachella Valley middle school counselor survives long battle with coronavirus
Dr. Jacob Shefa is now back home with his wife Leesann and their son Evin after spending two months battling coronavirus at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.
He also spent one month in rehab.
"What I feel really is just the ocean of support that I had really at the pinnacle of the crisis," said Shefa.
Now describing himself as "80 percent recovered", his fight with the virus was long and nearly deadly.
He went to the emergency room March 21st, and the next morning was intubated.
A tracheotomy was eventually performed, and he was on a ventilator for 45 days.
Shefa's treatment included hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and vitamins C, D and E.
"His work wasn't done. His work wasn't done. He has got more to offer this world," said Leesann Shefa.
Shefa's wife and son call Jacob's recovery "a miracle" while pointing to an outpouring of community support, love, and prayers.
The counselor says a parade of support put on by teachers and staff at Palm Desert Charter Middle School touched him deeply.
"When I saw the parade they did when they drove around the school and were honking and waving signs I just started weeping," said Shefa.
Evin is a singer songwriter and turned to his craft to find comfort and strength while his father battled the virus.
He wrote the song "Why Choose" and producing a music video celebrating Palm Springs.
He says proceeds from the music are being donated to the Johns Hopkins Foundation.
"Covid is obviously a bid deal to a lot of people but it doesn't hit until your dad is in the hospital. I was the one who got the call at midnight to put him on a ventilator," said Evin Shefa.
The Shefas say the doctors and staff at Desert Regional Medical Center and Hi-Desert Medical Center Rehab provided "extraordinary care".
Now, the consulting counselor is looking forward to eventually working with students once again.
"Every moment is a gift, every step, every breath," said Shefa.
Use the link below to learn more about Evin Shefa's efforts to use music to raise money for coronavirus research.
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