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Arturo “Hito” Bazan, a former Houston Police sergeant, has a powerful story of resilience and recovery. On a clear fall day in Montgomery County, Bazan recalled his darkest days during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing his terrifying battle with the virus and the life-altering condition that followed.
“Nothing really matters when you can’t breathe. When you can’t breathe, the world stops,” Bazan shared with ABC13 reporter Jessica Willey.
In June 2020, while still serving with the Houston Police Department (HPD), Bazan contracted COVID-19. Within a week, he was hospitalized and spent a grueling 80 days in the hospital, fighting for his life. Much of that time is a blur, but he remembers the emotional milestone of finally leaving the hospital, greeted by friends, family, and caregivers cheering him on.
However, the road to recovery was far from over.
“Just taking off a shirt or a hoodie would exhaust me,” he said. Despite his initial recovery, Bazan was later diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and incurable disease caused by scarring of the lungs. This condition severely limits lung function, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream.
“I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which is the scarring of the lungs. When your lungs are scarred, it’s harder for the oxygen to go to your blood, so your blood/oxygen levels drop,” Bazan explained.
Due to his declining health, Bazan was forced to retire from HPD after 26 years of service. Along with losing the job he loved, he also faced the challenge of losing the social network he had built within the department. However, his wife Cheryl, a nurse, introduced him to a new community of individuals going through similar struggles.
“That really opened my eyes to the fact that there were people across the country like me,” Bazan said.
Today, Bazan serves as a volunteer ambassador for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), raising awareness and advocating for a cure. Pulmonary fibrosis affects approximately 250,000 Americans, and Bazan is determined to use his voice to help others. On Saturday, he will speak at the PFF Walk in Dallas, sharing his journey of perseverance.
“I wanted to tell my story or advocate. It’s possible to move on with your life. Possible to get through this,” Bazan emphasized. “It’s my turn to help.”
In addition to his advocacy work, Bazan has found a new purpose as a high school criminal justice teacher in New Caney ISD. He continues to undergo pulmonary rehab and encourages others with the disease to remain hopeful.
“My good friend put these words in my head. You can still have your plans, but they are just going to be different, and they are. A little slower, a little different, but I’m not going to let this hold me back,” Bazan said.
Bazan’s journey is a testament to resilience, demonstrating that even in the face of life’s most challenging circumstances, it is possible to find a new purpose and continue moving forward.
