“When God sends friends and family to rescue me”

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My journey started on June 29, 2019, while working at the fire house, a fire call came in.  On arrive, I started helping the members off-load portable fans from our high-rise rig .  While off-loading a portable fan, my left shoulder started to hurt. The pain slowly progressed and later at night during watch, the pain was unbearable. I decided to report the issue to my officer and requested to be transported to the hospital for further observations. 

While at the hospital, x-rays were done, and then told I probably pulled a muscle, then released and sent home. The next morning, the pain was gone, and I attended my son’s soccer game.  That morning, I received a phone call, from a doctor who reviewed my x-ray.  In a calm tone of voice, he went straight to the point and shared with me what he discovered from my x-ray 

Doctor:  "I reviewed your x-ray from yesterday, your shoulder looks fine, however, I noticed a mass by your left lung, and it should be examined by a specialist."

I was in shock, my life just took a turn for the worse. All I can think about was my two boys – my emotions got the best of me. My wife was standing next to me, she knew something was wrong. So, I gave her the news - 

My wife scheduled an appointment with our family doctor the next available date. After a visit, my doctor, recommended a specialist who deals with tumors near the lungs.  At this moment, the mass was believed to be in my lungs and the size of a lime. After meeting the specialist, I was given realistic numbers and outcomes.  He went straight to the point with a low 17% survival rate and how he was going to remove the tumor and go from there. First a scan and a biopsy to confirm. 

On July 23, 2019, a biopsy done and days later the specialist had the results.  While at home, the doctor called, and he tells me “Stop by the office asap”.  I drove over with my wife, and we were ready to hear the news, is it cancer or not.  While sitting in the doctor's office, my wife and I were very nervous.  Suddenly the door opens, it was the doctor with a big smile. All I remember him saying was, “Well Mr. Covarrubias if you are going to fight cancer, let it be non-Hodgkins's lymphoma and our hospital has the best doctor in the nation. This cancer is highly treatable and curable”. I smiled, and my wife started to cry. The hardest part was going back home and telling my parents and my two boys –     “I have Cancer”.  

I had an appointment with my oncologist - Dr. Venu.  I recall him saying, “I see many of your coworkers and many have done well with treatment. You’ll be just fine”.  Treatment was scheduled to start as soon as possible. Reality was hard for me, I wanted to be with my sons and my wife. I wanted to go to work, be with the community and co-workers.  Mentally, I wasn’t ready for this, who really is? I never questioned, “Why Me?”.  

August 2019, I started chemo (DA-Epoch –R), six cycles of chemo, each cycle started with one week stay at the hospital for 5 days of treatments.  Go home for 3 weeks to recover and then return for the second cycle and repeat for months to come. Priority was to follow my care teams instructions for treatment, drink plenty of water and pray my body gives a good fight.    

Mentally, losing my hair and pale skin were hard for me see. The lack of energy and forgetting the small things due to brain fog was frustrating. An opportunity for a Lieutenant promotion exam was scheduled and I really wanted to study for it. Yet, I couldn’t remember anything I was reading. I decided to stop studying and just focus on trying to live.  

November 19, 2019, successful finished six cycles of chemo and on December 31, 2019, my PET scan was negative, and no cancer detected –                          Happy New Years Eve! 

After refusing retirement from the city. 

 On March 2020, the United States started reporting covid patients. During treatment, my immune system was low, I couldn’t risk a cold, flu or a fever due to treatment. When covid made it to the Chicago, I feared that my body couldn’t handle it. Then of course on March 26, 2020, the city of Chicago goes on covid lockdown.  

Four days later, on March 30, I was cleared by medical to return to work. Perfect timing, mentally I was ready, my positive energy was at the highest level, and I couldn’t be happier to return to work. Physically, I wasn’t sure, fear of failing in the field, being a liability to my coworkers and to the community. After finishing retraining, I was asked by the academy staff, if I was interested in staying as an instructor, I decided to stay. As mentioned, I had to challenge myself physically to get back to normal and not be a liability. It was important to me to be trusted at the academy and out on the field. This pandemic and cancer were not going to slow me down. 

On May 31, 2020, civil unrest started in Chicago. I was assigned to set up rigs for off duty firefighters coming to the academy to be dispatched to the field.  Little did I know, the instructors were dispatched as well. The longest 14 hours of my career - 

God reminds us to keep the faith and pass the word.  My reminder was a spot below my right eye.  It was small and had it for over 5 years.  In the month of October, I noticed that spot grew and I went to have it checked out.  It was BCC - Basil Cell Carcinoma - Yep skin cancer. The end result - 100% removal and no issues. Well, a scar by my right eye.  Before all this, I had an obligation to support those fighting via text or a simple phone call.  Faith and positive vibes for the patient and the family. Which led me to start this organization.  Sell products and give back to those fighting.  A gift card, prayer card, outings, presentation etc. 

Most important to network a group of people for prayer. No one should fight alone - because the fight isn't fair