CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - An 85-year-old grandmother is back in her Chula Vista home after a surviving a COVID-19 battle, a battle two of her children are still facing.
"I was taking the pictures and video. I just cried my eyes out when they wheeled her out of the hospital," said Maria Del Fierro.
Del Fierro picked up her grandmother Mathia Sevilla from Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center on Sunday.
"Very happy. Just wonderful. She's something else," said Del Fierro.
Mathia suffered her first symptoms right after Easter.
"She didn't get a fever. More of a rough cough, starting to feel weak," said Del Fierro.
A week later, she was rushed to the hospital with breathing issues. A day later, Del Fierro says her mother Gnelida, a nursing assistant who worked with COVID-19 patients, was admitted with extremely low oxygen levels.
One day later, Del Fierro's uncle Vic Sevilla was admitted with similar symptoms.
All three tested positive for coronavirus and given donated plasma with COVID-19 antibodies.
Vic and Gnelida were intubated, placed on a ventilators.
Del Fierro admits she stares a lot at the last text she got from her mom, right before she was intubated. It read, "I'm having a hard time breathing."
"Text her every day. She doesn't respond to me ... She's sedated. It's really hard," said Del Fierro, choking back tears.
Amid the wrenching wait, loved ones have received some good news in recent days. Del Fierro says her uncle is doing better. So is her mom. Both remain on ventilators.
"Doctors are pretty optimistic. It's a slow process but she's making good progress ... It's been the worst, bumpiest roller coaster ride I've ever gotten into - and still into - but we're hanging in there," said Del Fierro.
Several Gofundme campaigns have been set up to help the family with expenses.