Mocha
Mocha calls his virus the “GI COVID.” This local Lansing musician-by-night, IT-person-by-day, is an upbeat guy. In December 2020, he spent 22 days in the hospital fighting COVID-19. An adamant mask wearer who takes extra precautions, he still doesn’t know where he got the virus. Mocha’s first symptoms were mild, just loss of taste and smell. But when symptoms progressed to intense gastrointestinal issues and he couldn’t keep anything down, he went to the ER. He was admitted for severe dehydration but ended up staying longer when the doctors realized his oxygen level was too low. Mocha has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a pre-existing health condition that affects the lungs. The doctors were worried – if the COVID traveled and impacted Mocha’s lungs, he’d have to be put on a ventilator. Fortunately, after days of treatment, he was released. Mocha’s recent chest x-rays showed additional lung scarring, and he can’t play his sax for as long as he used to. To navigate the post-COVID difficulties, he joins other survivors on waitlists for specialists. He emphasizes that COVID is real – paying attention to the CDC, researchers, and health professionals can save your life. Mocha is especially thankful for the support he received from Linda Vail, the Ingham County Health Officer, during his experience.
*You can hear the full story from Mocha himself in his extended Zoom Interview below.
[image description: a black and white image of a man standing behind the glass front door to his home. Both hands are placed on his hips, he is wearing glasses, a white t-shirt, and light-colored sweat pants. Two white pillars frame the doorway and a sign that reads “Grad” is placed vertically down the left pillar. He stares past the camera out into the distance.]
Hear His Story.
James “Mocha” Waller is a local musician. He plays Sax, Harmonica, Percussions, and he sings! When music is able to make its comeback, you can catch him at local establishments on Michigan Avenue like Green Door, Morts, and Stobers. He previously played all over the world while touring with Air Force Entertainments "Tops in Blue". His current bands include Newsmaker (Flint), Image (Flint), 496 West (Lansing), Creature of One (Lansing) Cathy Ford (Lansing), and Mocha & the Lattes' (Mason). He lives in Mason, Michigan with his wife and kids.
A Big Shout Out and Thank You From Mocha To:
All the staff on McLaren Hospital’s Covid Floor during November/December 2020.
Linda Vail - our Ingham County Health Officer
Family and Friends that helped him during his battle with Covid-19
Anyone attempting to raise awareness and share the stories of covid survivors and those we’ve lost during this pandemic