Wisconsin mother, 52, is fighting for her life as she waits for a DOUBLE lung transplant after spending 45 days on a ventilator as she says ‘this coronavirus attacked me in every way possible’
- Carmen Lerma, 52, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-July
- She was admitted to Ascension St. Francis hospital shortly after and spent 45 days in the ICU on a ventilator
- After she was extubated, Lerma’s doctors told her the virus had cause permanent damage to her lungs
- Lerma was transferred to UW Health, in Madison, and is currently awaiting a double lung transplant
A Wisconsin woman who contacted the coronavirus is currently in a hospital awaiting a double lung transplant.
Carmen Lerma, 52, a director at United Migrant Opportunity Services, in Milwaukee tested positive for the virus in July.
Her health quickly deteriorated and she was admitted to the hospital, spending 45 days in the intensive care unit on a ventilator.
Now, after a three-month long battle, doctors have told Lerma that the virus caused irreversible damage to her lungs and she won’t be able to leave the hospital until they find her a new set of lungs.
![She was admitted to Ascension St. Francis hospital shortly after and spent 45 days in the ICU on a ventilator. Pictured: Lerma after contracting coronavirus](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/19/19/34581348-8856331-image-a-23_1603132226048.jpg)
Carmen Lerma, 52, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-July. She was admitted to Ascension St. Francis hospital shortly after and spent 45 days in the ICU on a ventilator. Pictured: Lerma before contracting coronavirus, left. and after contracting coronavirus, right
![After she was extubated, Lerma's doctors told her the virus had cause permanent damage to her lungs. Pictured: Lerma in the hospital](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/19/19/34581348-8856331-image-m-26_1603132246636.jpg)
After she was extubated, Lerma’s doctors told her the virus had cause permanent damage to her lungs. Pictured: Lerma in the hospital
‘This coronavirus attacked me in every way possible that it could,’ Lerma told WISN 12.
The 52-year-old mother said she got a call from the state health department telling her she has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Lerma subsequently tested positive as well and was soon admitted to Ascension St Francis in Milwaukee, according to WTMJ-TV.
She spent 45 days on a ventilator and, although she managed to be extubated, the virus did irreversible damage to her lungs.
‘I got double pneumonia. I got attacked through my immune system,’ Lerma told WISN 12 .
Lerma does not have any underlying health conditions and said she quit smoking several years ago.
She was then transferred to UW Health, in Madison, where she will remain until a donor is found for her transplant.
Lerma is currently receiving supplemental oxygen and cannot walk far without struggling to breathe.
‘I’m literally on 100 percent oxygen, which is even more challenging,’ she said.
She said she wants to make sure others remember to war their masks to protect themselves and others.
![Lerma (pictured) was transferred to UW Health, in Madison, and is currently awaiting a double lung transplant](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/19/18/34581340-8856331-image-a-15_1603129200671.jpg)
![She said she hopes her story convinces others about the importance of wearing masks. Pictured: Lerma](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/19/18/34581336-8856331-image-m-14_1603129192587.jpg)
Lerma (left and right) was transferred to UW Health, in Madison, and is currently awaiting a double lung transplant. She said she hopes her story convinces others about the importance of wearing masks
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/19/18/34582524-8856331-image-a-17_1603129745054.jpg)
‘Put your mask on,’ Lerma told WISN 12.
‘Maybe you don’t care, but protect your parents, your kids, your grandparents, because they are the ones that are going to battle the most.’
Lerma’s family and friends up have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of her medical bills.
As of Monday afternoon, more than $27,000 has been raised out of a $100,000 goal.