This is the kind of story we hate to see. Thomas Marshall, a technician with local Rio Vista business, R&D Termite and Pest Control, waits anxiously for his wife and son to come home from the hospital. On September 28, Elizabeth was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital with COVID-19. She was 6 months pregnant, and barely able to breathe because the pregnancy put pressure on her lungs. Baby Charles had to be delivered by emergency C-section three months early, to give them both a fighting chance. Charles’s delivery weight was 1 pound 6 ounces. Elizabeth was placed on a ventilator and put in a medically induced coma.
Unfortunately, out of fear for her baby, Elizabeth had elected to forego vaccination during her pregnancy. Sadly, the whole family, Elizabeth, Thomas, two daughters, and one son all contracted COVID. All have since recovered except for Elizabeth. Prematurely born baby Charles remains in guarded condition and has been moved to UC Davis hospital where the NICU is equipped with special incubators.
Thomas is keeping his hopes up while taking care of their children in Elizabeth’s absence. He cannot visit Elizabeth in the ICU, but he can see his new son at UC Davis. While caring for their children, he has been unable to work and is on a leave of absence.
Thomas is very grateful to R&D business owners Ron and Valerie Yocum, who are exceptionally supportive. Valerie says, “Thomas is like family to us.” Since their business continues to grow, Ron and Valerie will hire another technician to help Ron and will hold Thomas’s job open for him until he is able to return to work.
Ron and Valerie began R&D in 2015, with Ron having over 20 years of experience in pest control. As long-time residents they knew Rio Vista was the place they wanted to start their own business. They have set up a Go Fund Me internet site for donations aimed at helping Thomas and his family during this difficult time. To donate, log on to the website www.gofundme.com. In the SEARCH box on the opening screen, type “Help Thomas during a sad time with family illness.”
To date, by word of mouth, the Marshall family has received an outpouring of good wishes and over $7,000 in donations. Ron, Valerie, and Thomas all say thank-you Rio Vista for your wonderful support. For more information about R&D go to the website www.rdtermiteandpestcontrol.com.