(WSIL) -- While a Carterville women is fighting for her life, in a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, local folks are stepping up.
"I've directed them to do anything at their disposal now."
Phillip Wallen, his wife Leslie, and their two children tested positive for COVID-19 just days before Christmas. Since then, everyone's symptoms have been manageable at home. That is, except for Leslie, who had to be taken to the hospital in Carbondale by ambulance, after her symptoms worsened. Now, she's on a ventilator at SLU.
"And her doctor understood she needed advanced care and promoted and advocated for her to go to St. Louis," says Phillip.
While in isolation, trying to manage the kid's online learning, working from home, and staying in contact with his wife's doctors, Phillip has seen an outpouring of support.
"A friend of mine created Meal Train, an amazing service which means that people can just come and deliver food to me and my family, without me having to worry about what we're going to eat for dinner tomorrow or the next night, or do I have groceries."
Sharon Kirk has known Leslie since high school.
"You know, I didn't know what to do, and I was like, 'Well, I'll cook.'... And then I started getting messages from other people saying, 'What can we do?', so I got on and started the Meal Train."
She says she's taken the coronavirus about as seriously as she could have.
"They were so careful. I mean they were one of the families that didn't leave their house. You know, she would do pickups for groceries, or door step delivery. It was one of her biggest fears."
"And we knew, should she get this, she could get very sick. And even with all the things we tried to do to keep the coronavirus away from us, somehow, it still found its way into our life," says Wallen.
While the family says they are incredibly grateful for the enormous support they say they'll never be able to repay, they also want to offer their experience as a warning.
"I have not seen my wife in over a week, I haven't heard her voice in over a week, and I've know her since I was 18 years old... I don't want anybody in this town, or in our area to deal with the struggle of someone you love fighting for their life. So, please be careful and wear a mask, and take this seriously, because if it does end up in your world, it will shatter it."
Phillip says he wants to thank everyone, especially the complete strangers who have stepped up to help support his family during these difficult times.
If you want to help the Wallen's -- click .
