Pambuan was brought to tears as she hugged the doctor and other health care workers who helped bring her back from a harrowing situation.

I'm thankful.

This is my second life.

In a tragic role reversal, Pambuan, a veteran intensive care unit nurse who had been caring for COVID patients, was admitted to St. Mary's ICU in the spring.

The 66-year-old was rendered unconscious by paralysis inducing sedation and placed on a ventilator to breathe.

A feeding tube was later inserted.

Her situation was often dire, said attending physician Dr Maged Tanios.

At multiple times she was very near death.

I would say this happened at least half a dozen times that she was very near death.

We had a hard time keeping her oxygen compatible with life, and we had to use a lot of other treatments that improve our oxygen.

By the time she awoke and could breathe on her own again, Pambuan was too weak to stand but fought back and struggled through weeks of painful therapy to regain her strength.

Now Pambuan and is finally home, where she will continue her recuperation.

I thought, I'm not going to come back in this house, but what?

You know what's going on?

But it's really nice to be home.

Thanks to God for everything

When or if she will return to work in the ICU remains an open question, but in the meantime, Pambuan said she feels indebted to her co-workers' further care.

Her message to others in her shoes?

Don't lose hope.

Just fight.

Fight.

Because, look at me.

You know, I'm going home, and I'm walking.