PHOENIX — A Valley woman is sharing the heartbreaking details of her mother's death in hopes others take COVID-19 more seriously.
Lisa Phillips told ABC15 her mother, Rene Self, 65, passed away at a hospital in the north part of the Valley Monday night following a several-week battle with COVID-19.
"It's surreal because when COVID first came to the U.S., my first thought was, 'I really don't want my mom to get this," Phillips said. "So, to actually come to the moment that was my worst fear from the moment the virus showed up has been super surreal."
Phillips told ABC15 her mom had been on a ventilator for nearly a week. Over the weekend, she says the medical team informed her by phone her mom was not in good shape.
"Sunday was the call that was said, 'This is not going to be one of those cases where we see a recovery,'" Phillips recalled.
Phillips said she and other family members had one last chance to speak to their mom, who was unconscious and on a ventilator, through speakerphone Monday.
"[I] wanted to share with her that she's done a good job being a mom," Phillips said. "That she raised good kids."
Phillips told ABC15 Self had underlying conditions, including diabetes and asthma. However, she said her mother had retired earlier this year and had lots of life left to live.
"65 is not that old," she said. "She just retired and really she should have had at least 20 more years, even with her underlying conditions."
Phillips has detailed her mom's battle with COVID-19 on social media and hopes by sharing her story, others take the virus more seriously.