BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Heather Kalisiak
Talia Kalisiak
It’s been almost three months since Talia Kalisiak stepped foot inside her home. In October, the North Tonawanda woman contracted COVID-19 and she has been on a journey to recovery ever since. On Wednesday, she finally got to go home.
“I am so happy. it’s so good that she’s finally gonna be home," her mother Heather said. "There were times when we didn’t know if she was going to come home. I didn’t know if I'd be planning a home coming or a funeral.”
Talia is only 20-years-old, but COVID-19 took a devastating toll on her body.
“One day she turned blue and she couldn’t breathe," her mom said. "We knew we had to take her in.”
Talia was in a medically induced coma for 27 days. She was then transferred to Kenmore Mercy Hospital for therapy.
“The hospital is a very lonely place, especially when you cant have visitors," her mom said. "It's been her and the nursing staff and they’ve all been fabulous but they're only with her for a little while, and then she’s there staring at the ceiling.”
Talia said she spent a lot her days in the hospital crying. Wishing she could get a hug from her mother. She missed some major holidays, her cat, and her friends, but her mom plans on making it all up to her.
“We’re having New Years tonight. I ordered a giant sushi platter. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’re cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner. And we have to fit Christmas in there somewhere,” Heather said.
And While Talia can call herself a survivor, she still has a long road ahead.
“People who are dying aren’t just old," Talia said, " It is everyone who might have any form of complication, and it hits hard. It hits aggressive, and you got to be careful.”
According to Erie County Department of Health, around 33% of positive COVID cases in Erie County have been from people under the age of 30. So remember, wash your hands, wear your mask, and stay safe.
