1:00
- family
- February 1, 2021
4-year-old has months-long battle with COVID-19
"She's still fighting and is putting a smile on her face."
1:00
She was taken to a local hospital then airlifted to UNM, where she was tested or COVID-19 upon entry. A neurological team performed an MRI scan which revealed transverse myelitis or swelling of the spinal cord.
\"They said since COVID was an infection, that the good antibodies were attacking her spinal system when fighting off the COVID virus,\" Yazzie said. \"The next morning, she was positive [for COVID-19].\"
Yazzie said Stella's father had died from complications of COVID-19 on April 18, 2020. She suspects her daughter may have contracted the virus from the innocent exposure.
Due to hospital safety precautions, Yazzie was unable to stay with her child until she herself tested negative for COVID-19.
At UNM, Stella' lungs began collapsing and she had a fever. She was intubated and placed in a coma for three weeks.
In the meantime, Yazzie would try to video chat if Stella woke up.
\"My heart was pounding. I was so scared,\" Yazzie said. \"I called maybe four or five times a day and the nurses were really good with her. They said she'd wake up and smile and sometimes would wake up scared and was crying.\"
On May 4, Yazzie had two negative COVID-19 tests and was able to see Stella who came out of her coma. In May, she received a tracheotomy.
Despite her health struggles, Yazzie said Stella would check in on the well-being of her own doctors and nurses.
\"Even if she doesn't know you, she will tell you she loves you,\" Yazzie said.
Stella was released from the hospital on Jan. 26 and UNM medical staff gave her a proper sendoff.
After a severe bout with COVID-19, 4-year-old Stella Martin is leaving UNM Hospital. ❤️
— UNM HSC (@UNMHSC) January 27, 2021
Stella came into the hospital in April after contracting COVID-19. She spent over 5 months in the Pediatric ICU and arrived in the CTH Acute Service in October. pic.twitter.com/8yfIUHonsl
UNM thanked the community for donating iPads so Stella could connect with family.
\"We celebrate her recovery and the hard work and dedication of our health care team who work tirelessly to help patients like her,\" UNM said in a statement.
Yazzie said Stella will soon begin physical and occupational therapy and is happy to have her home.
\"With her dad passing, and my dad's passing [unrelated to COVID-19], I had no time to break down, and that's what I did with her and her sister,\" Yazzie said. \"We've been fighting for this and training for her to come home. She loves being in the same bed as me, going in the living room and sitting on the couch. She loves being home.\"
Yazzie has built an Instagram page for Stella so the family can keep in communication with the doctors and nurses at UNM.
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