KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 21-year-old Manhattan native is on the road to recovery after undergoing lung surgery due to COVID-19.
41 Action News first spoke to Cecilia Erker in July, when she contracted the virus. She developed a secondary infection in her lung, requiring surgery. At the time, Erker was told she would likely lose her entire lung. Upon waking up from surgery, Erker said she felt lucky to be able to keep it.
"I don't know how I got that lucky, honestly, because things looked really, really bad before surgery," Erker said.
Erker said she wants her story told to help people realize that no one is immune to the virus.
Dr. David Wild, with the University of Kansas Health System, said the hospital is seeing a significant increase in the number of young, healthy people being admitted with the virus.
"In March and April, 6% of those admitted to the hospital had no chronic medical condition at the time they were admitted," Wild said. "In July and August, it's more than 18%, so three times larger the proportion."
In Kansas and Missouri, the 18-24 year-old age group currently has the highest number of cases.
Before contracting the novel coronavirus, Erker lived an active and healthy lifestyle.
Now, simply walking without a walker is a milestone. Erker's recovery likely will last six to eight months.
"Some days I feel invincible and back to normal and other days just waking up and getting out of bed is a challenge," Erker said.
Through it all, she said she's thankful for the small improvements each day brings.
"I finally get to go outside, and I can walk around my street and I think that's like the coolest thing ever," Erker said.
She wants other young people to understand that being young, healthy and active doesn't make someone immune.
"I thought if I got sick I'll bounce back in two weeks and be totally fine, and that wasn't the case," Erker said.
She is one of the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in young people.
Wild said the threat of over-running hospitals is very real.
"While we're not yet at the point where we are completely overwhelmed as a health care system, we're definitely stressed," Wild said.
Erker said she's grateful to community members, friends and family for their support. She encouraged community members to wear a mask and listen to recommendations from health experts.
"If you're not going to wear the mask for yourself, do it for someone else," Erker said. "I'd hate to see somebody else go through this."
