On the last Friday in February, Elizabeth Vega Felix and her grandson, José Omar Rolón Martínez, arrived in Western Massachusetts from Puerto Rico in search of a new beginning. Less than two months later, Felix was hospitalized with COVID-19.

Speaking only Spanish, she struggled to communicate with the hospital staff. For 83 days of treatment, Martínez often served as her translator, relaying her concerns through a doctor’s or nurse’s cellphone.

Felix returned to her home in Springfield on Monday, July 13, where she continues her recovery. On a recent day, she sat on her sofa while a home healthcare provider conducted a health assessment. Her grandson translated the provider’s questions with patient diligence.

Martínez, who also contracted the virus, recovered at home without hospitalization. At 21, his youth and strength helped him withstand the illness.

The duo had come to the mainland seeking better opportunities than were available in Puerto Rico, where natural disasters had devastated the U.S. territory.

“One of the reasons we came here is because in Puerto Rico there is a lack of employment,” Martínez explained. “It is really hard to find work.”

In recent years, Puerto Rico has endured hurricanes, a political crisis, earthquakes, and now the coronavirus pandemic, which has deepened the island’s hardships.

In July, Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced announced that parts of the island would have running water only every other day due to a severe drought—this despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation for frequent handwashing during the pandemic.

As of July 14, Puerto Rico had reported 10,379 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, with 171 deaths.

For Felix, the transition to life in the mainland U.S. has been overshadowed by her illness. Since arriving, she has spent more time in hospital beds than at home. Both she and Martínez are homesick and hope to return to Puerto Rico once she is well enough to travel.

On April 21, Felix was taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. At 65, she was high-risk, and her condition caused significant worry.

“She only speaks Spanish and sometimes had to call me so I could translate for the doctors,” Martínez said. “I am really grateful for Mercy Hospital because they were very helpful and humane with us.”

Felix’s husband, Augustine Martinez, remained in Salinas, Puerto Rico, unable to help from afar. He traveled to Springfield weeks later to be with her.

On March 9, Trinity Health of New England, which operates Mercy Medical Center, implemented strict visitation restrictions to protect patients and staff from COVID-19 exposure. While these measures were later relaxed for non-COVID patients, those with the virus remain unable to see loved ones.

Felix recalls little of her time at Mercy. Her first memory after being admitted was being transferred to JGS Lifecare Center in Longmeadow. Just 24 hours after arriving at the hospital, her condition worsened.

“She was worried about going to the hospital because of COVID-19,” Martínez said. “She never thought she had it since she stayed home for 52 days.”

Initially, Felix thought her symptoms were due to asthma. Through her grandson, she said she couldn’t believe she had COVID-19, given how cautious she had been.

While hospitalized, Felix received hydroxychloroquine, a treatment that sparked controversy. Though it initially seemed to improve her condition, three days later, she deteriorated and was placed on a ventilator.

“She turned to God for salvation,” Martínez said, adding that their family and church congregation in Salinas prayed fervently for her recovery.

Twelve days later, she was taken off the ventilator and received convalescent plasma, which helped stabilize her condition. Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients contains natural antibodies that aid in fighting the virus.

On May 29, Felix was transferred to JGS Lifecare for monitoring, where she celebrated her 65th birthday away from her family. Visitors were not allowed inside due to the vulnerability of residents.

Instead, family members stood outside her window, speaking to her via cellphones. “It had been two months since we last saw her,” Martínez said.

Felix finally returned home in mid-July. Her recovery includes biweekly check-ups, and during her first assessment, she asked if she could stop using the walker provided by the hospital.

“She asked if she had to use the walker,” Martínez translated. The healthcare provider, impressed by her determination, told her she would need it for now.

Although Martínez and Felix initially planned to stay in the U.S. for better healthcare and opportunities, they now yearn to return to Puerto Rico.

“The main reason we want to go back is because, when she was in the hospital, we felt so alone,” Martínez said. “Family is the base of everything.”