A 108-Day Fight Against COVID-19 Has a Happy Ending for Local Woman

After a long journey and recovery, 108 days to be exact, Martha Staley, 75 of Ellinger, is finally back home after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Staley’s three children first checked her into St. David’s Medical Center in Austin on April 9 for what doctors thought was pneumonia. However, nine days later as Stanley was being prepared to be released her family received an urgent call saying that she was being rushed into ICU and being intubated because she tested positive for COVID-19.

“She remained intubated, sedated and on the breathing machine for over 30 days,” said Richard Minar, one of Staley’s sons. “It was a true roller coaster ride of high and lows.” Doctors finally decided to do a tracheostomy and put a feeding tube in her stomach while still remaining on the ventilator with reduced settings.

Then on June 2, after much improvement, she was moved to Cornerstone Long Term ICU in Round Rock. At Cornerstone she was able to start therapy, build her strength and get off the ventilator. Only a few days later, on June 7, she had improved so much that she was able to be moved to Central Texas Rehab Hospital in Austin. There her main focus was on her rehab.

After around two weeks of being at Central Texas Rehab, she had her trach removed and was finally able to eat some on her own. Minar said, “Just last week Monday she walked for the first time in three and a half months.” Following walking, doctors finally allowed Stanley to come home just this past Saturday, July 25.

KXAN News was there the day Stanley was able to go home.

“We wanted to share her story to give other families who are going through the same thing right now hope that they can get through this with determination and a community rallying around you with their thoughts and prayers,” said Minar.

Staley’s family is so proud of her and knows just how strong she is. “In just the few days that she has been home she has continued to improve and it has been a little unbelievable,” said Minar. “She still has a good amount of recovery time ahead of her, but we are more than happy to be right there by her side.”

For the last 46 years, Staley has worked as a school bus driver. She drove for the Spring Branch ISD in Houston where she lived for 20 years.

After retiring and moving back home to Ellinger, she has driven for La Grange ISD for the past 26 years. Minar said, “She had a true passion for driving the bus and loved the children, but as of now she is just ready to retire and spend the rest of her life just living.”

Staley and her entire family want to express their gratitude and appreciation for all the faculty and staff members who helped her get back home. “They showed unending efforts, support and love for my mother and we will never forget it,” said Minar.