What happened to this Georgia COVID-19 survivor is nothing short of a miracle. Lisa Martin, who had been in an induced coma for over a month, awoke suddenly just as her family was about to remove her from the ventilator.
When the 49-year-old was admitted to the Memorial Satilla Health emergency room in Waycross, Georgia, in September due to COVID-19 complications, the odds were stacked against her.
From there, it was all downhill. She was comatose on October 20. Her family was summoned to the hospital to say their final goodbyes. But, unwilling to give up easily, the Martins decided to give it 11 days before making a final decision to remove her from the ventilator.
Lisa, as if she knew what was going to happen, came out of her sedatives just in time on the eleventh day!
Lisa walked out of the facility using a rolling walker on the day of her release, December 31, as medical staff clapped and cheered for her. The historic event was captured on video, which the hospital shared on its Facebook page.
In the caption, they wrote, “Her amazing journey includes 59 days on a ventilator, 40 days in an induced coma, and surviving a frontal lobe stroke.”
Lisa, a teaching consultant, stated that she is still trying to process everything that has occurred.
“I’m shocked, but in the midst of all the overwhelming emotions, I feel like this is definitely a God thing,” the miracle patient told PEOPLE. “I came to the conclusion that no one cared about me.” I didn’t have many friends, my children are all grown up and independent, and my husband works full-time. I was lonely before, but this experience has shown me how much I am loved.”
Lisa and her husband of 29 years, Jeff Martin, have three daughters and one son. Madison Martin, 27, Harper Lee Martin, 25, Natalie Fuller, 22, and Jack Martin, 19, are grateful that their mother survived.
Madison told PEOPLE her mom is currently using a walker and a wheelchair to get around. She also has an oxygen cannula to assist her breathing.
According to her, Lisa is able to “eat, talk and do a lot of things independently.” She can even tie her shoes now!
Despite going through this horrifying chapter in their lives, the Martins kept their Christian faith strong through it all. In fact, they’re viewing the event as something that can fulfill a purpose.
“Did it suck for my mom to get COVID, almost die and now fight to get back to having a normal life? Absolutely! But if God wanted to use my mom as an example on how to keep faith during struggles, dark times, and hardships, then I thank God for using my mom,” Madison said.
Jeff, on the other hand, admitted that he didn’t take the virus seriously until his wife became infected. He assumed Lisa was simply “buying into the hype” by taking proper precautions like wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer.
After nearly being taken off the ventilator and losing his beloved wife, the 52-year-old is now taking the virus seriously.
Jeff hopes that Lisa’s healing journey will inspire others now that her story has gone viral.
“I understand that doctors can treat patients medically, but healing is provided by God.” And I just… “I’m thankful she survived, but I’m also very aware of the pain of others who have lost family members to this,” he said.
The Martins are certainly grateful as they enter the new year. Share this incredible recovery story with your friends and family!
See triumphantly leaving the hospital with cheers from the medical staff below:
