By writer to www.thenewsherald.com
Over the age of 65 and the survivor of two liver transplant surgical procedures, Julio Martinez positively matches within the high-risk class on the subject of taking precautions concerning his well being.
Like most individuals through the year-long coronavirus pandemic, life has been fairly completely different for the Lincoln Park resident, who turned 70 years outdated on Feb. 6.
“Hepatitis C runs in my household,” he stated. “I acquired it within the 1970s.”
Though the primary liver he acquired in a 2005 transplant operation didn’t final for lengthy, he’s happening his 13th 12 months with the second liver he acquired, and total he says he feels fairly good.
Nonetheless, the pandemic has prompted him to principally stay a shut-in over the previous 11 months. Martinez’s spouse, Brenda, does the purchasing, whereas he stays residence with a view to assist safeguard his well being.
“I simply sit in the home and watch the information all day,” he stated. “I’ve gained 25 kilos. I used to be afraid to go wherever or do something through the pandemic. About the one factor I take pleasure in is strolling exterior to get the mail.”
Brenda knew that this was one of many few actions he did through the pandemic so she had an thought. Realizing he can be reaching a milestone birthday, she requested most of the household’s associates on the Greenwood Acres Household Campground in Jackson to ship him birthday playing cards within the mail.
His daughters, Julie Vasquez and Melissa Herrera, favored the thought in order that they too requested different family and friends members to do the identical.
The hope was to get at the very least 70 playing cards for his 70th birthday, however his well-wishers did higher than that. He ended up with a complete of 101 playing cards.
His household needed him to maintain it a shock, that’s till the playing cards began pouring in. Upon receiving 30 playing cards within the mail, all on the identical day, he knew one thing was up.
“The mailman stated ‘What’s happening?,’” Martinez stated.
After all of the playing cards arrived, they positioned them alongside the blinds of their lounge as a show of affection from his associates. He stated he was moved by the sort gesture of so many individuals.
After 37 years with the Ford Motor Firm, he retired after his first transplant surgical procedure, however he by no means had a retirement occasion, which made this all of the extra particular.
Martinez stated he lately acquired his second COVID-19 vaccination, so he’s feeling assured that he’ll have the ability to get out of the home greater than he has for the previous 12 months, one thing he’s very a lot wanting ahead to.
