A Valley Stream woman says a lifesaving procedure helped her battle back from COVID-19 and the complications that came with it.

Shrille White says she was afraid she was going to die battling the virus. Her battle included time in North Shore University Hospital's ICU.

After three months, she was released and went home -- but she quickly realized her fight was not over.

White has asthma and lung disease, and she developed complications common to those who are on ventilators for an extended amount of time. Her trachea was damaged and made it hard for her to breathe. Doctors likened her breathing ability to "breathing through a straw."

In hopes of turning things around, doctors performed a rare surgery. It worked, restoring her trachea and allowing her to once again breathe fully.

On Tuesday, White emotionally shared her story and thanked doctors for keeping her alive so she could celebrate her son's birthday.

"Mommy is glad to be here to celebrate -- just to celebrate life with my family," White said through tears.

White also offered a warning for those who may not take the virus seriously saying, "Be afraid, because I am lucky to be here. A lot of my doctors tell me I am a miracle to be alive."

North Shore University Hospital's Dr. David Zeltsman says White still has another six months of recovery from the surgery and COVID-19. But they say she is expected to live a long life.