Anaheim Mother of Seven Dies After Being Taken Off Life Support
(FOX11) Anaheim's Lisa Avila, a mother of seven children, passed away shortly after being taken off life support Friday.
She had been declared brain dead by three doctors after spending six weeks in a coma.
Her father Robert Avila only spoke to FOX11's Christine O'Donnell about what happened.
"Everyone was praying for her to come back. Come back Lisa. Come back. Everybody started crying. I had to walk out. I didn't want to feel hurt that the Lord took her. I knew in my heart," Avila said.
Lisa went into cardiac arrest on Feb. 14 and slipped into a coma after she was sent home from the hospital, her family said.
They blame Anaheim Regional Medical Center for misdiagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, which is when an embryo is planted outside the uterus.
The hospital planned to remove Avila from a ventilator on March 20 after two doctors declared her brain dead. It wasn't until the family then brought in their own neurologist who also found no brain activity that the decision to remove life support was made.
"If it was up to the family we would keep Lisa on life support and continue fighting for her life. But unfortunately, under California law, we have exhausted all options in our legal rights to keep her on life support," Lisa's uncle Larry Terry said.
Her father Robert says his daughter was surrounded by her husband, children and all her family as they said goodbye.
"Everybody was all together praying for her to go to heaven or come back to us, but I think the lord wanted her on the other side. That's what he did," Avila said.
"Just wait for us, we'll see each other again," Avila continued.
The hospital released the following statement:
"This is a very difficult situation. We extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the patient. They remain in our heart and prayers." -Anaheim Regional Medical Center
If you'd like to learn more or help the family pay for funeral expenses you can donate at http://lisaavilachavez.weebly.com.