Woman who received double lung transplant from COVID-19 discharged from hospital

MADISON, Wisconsin. – After a double lung transplant that saved her life, Carmen Lerma, was released from the university hospital last Thursday.

According to a statement, she was transferred to the university hospital in October where her lungs were found to be so damaged by COVID-19 that a double lung transplant was her only chance of survival.

The statement said Lerma waited a few days on the transplant waiting list when a deceased person was able to donate her lungs. She was the first person in Wisconsin to undergo a double lung transplant due to COVID-19.

Lerma left the transplant unit on Thursday, two weeks after his surgery and four months after being diagnosed with COVID-19. She reunited with her husband, brother and mother.

“I hadn’t seen my family in so long, and finally being able to stand here and walk towards them is priceless,” Lerma said. “I never thought I could do it again so I really want to thank all of the doctors and nurses at UW Health who have all been great. It was a difficult journey that brought me here, but a beautiful end.