By Carmen Sesin - NBC News
Three siblings from Tampa, Florida, have been left parentless by the coronavirus.
His father, Alfonso Cardenas, died on August 2, after fighting the virus for about six weeks. He passed away two weeks before his 56th birthday. For the past six years, Cardenas had supported his children after his wife and children's mother, Clara Gómez, passed away from cancer after a 12-year battle with the disease.
Twenty-year-old twin sisters Jhoana and Alejandra and their 14-year-old brother, Iván, recall how their father did everything for them for the past six years, also trying to be a mother.
From left to right: Jhoana Cárdenas, Clara Gómez, Iván Cárdenas, Alfonso Cárdenas and Alejandra Cárdenas celebrating Thanksgiving at a relative's home in 2013 Courtesy of the Cardenas family
“He made sure my brother, sister and I had someone to talk to. He always listened to us, "Jhoana recalled about her father, who was a native of Colombia." He did everything in his power, he made sure we were happy and satisfied all the time. "
Cardenas's job revolved around helping others: He worked as a family services counselor at a funeral home. He was also a coach at a local soccer club where he coached his twin daughters and son since they were six years old.
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“He was always very optimistic . He would say that there is a solution for every problem you face, ”Jhoana said.
Cardenas was always the soul of the parties. “When we went to family celebrations and they had music, I always wanted to dance. When my sister and I said no, he would dance like a fool, "recalled his daughter.
Alejandra Cárdenas (left), Alfonso Cárdenas (center) and Jhoana Cárdenas (right) on vacation visiting relatives in Medellín, Colombia, in December 2016 Courtesy of the Cardenas family
Cardenas began to feel bad on Father's Day weekend. A week later he was in bed with continuous chills and asked his daughters to take him to the hospital.
A COVID-19 test was performed at the health center and Cardenas was sent home to await the results, which would be available three to five days later. During that time, it continued to get worse. In early July, Jhoana took her father to Tampa General Hospital, but they were sent home again.
Three days later he was having trouble breathing and could barely get out of bed. Jhoana took him back to Tampa General Hospital, where he was admitted for the month of July until he passed away on August 2.
Since Cárdenas's children were unable to visit him in the hospital, they contacted him twice via the FaceTime video telephony application. But later he was intubated and sedated.
Jhoana Cardenas (left) and Alejandra Cardenas (right) with their father Alfonso (center) after their high school graduation in May 2018 Courtesy of the Cardenas family
“Even if we had seen him, he would not have been able to talk to us. We told him we loved him, "Jhoana explained.
The day Cardenas passed away, they were allowed to visit him.
"The doctor said it was no longer contagious and tested negative. They let us into the room to say goodbye . They had done a tracheostomy and put a feeding tube. He looked different because he hadn't shaved, "he recalled.
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Jhoana claims that they have no idea how he got infected because he was so cautious. “He barely left home. He just went to work. We are not sure how it got infected. "
For now, the Cardenas children depend on the help of family and friends. They still live in the house where they grew up with their paternal uncle.
Jhoana is a student at the University of South Florida, while her twin sister attends Hillsborough Community College. Her little brother just started high school. One of their best friends started a page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to help them raise money to help with expenses.
Jhoana Cardenas, Ivan Cardenas, Alfonso Cardenas, and Alejandra Cardenas eating at a farmers market in Lakeland, Florida in the summer of 2016 Courtesy of the Cardenas family
The siblings are very close and live by the example that their parents gave them. “We have always had breakfast, lunch or dinner together. We sat at the table and talked, "Jhoana said. That part hasn't changed."