Tinley Park’s mom says her daughter died just three days after a healthy teenager was hospitalized with coronavirus just before Christmas.
Lincoln-Way former senior Sarah Cemental, who turned just 18 last month, first reported a headache on Dec. 16, her mother, Deborah Cementle, said. The next day, she began to feel crowded and had a sore throat.
“My immediate thought was that these are symptoms of COVID,” said Deborah Cementel.
Outside her home, Cementle only saw her boyfriend before showing her symptoms, her mother said.
On Friday, she had a fever, chills, and vomiting, and her symptoms continued.
On Saturday morning, her mother went to give her a coronavirus test and that evening her results came back positive.
She went to Silver Cross Hospital early Wednesday morning after Cemental began to have pain in her left shoulder. There, his oxygen level dropped and the cement was placed on a ventilator and taken to the intensive care unit.
Due to the coronavirus protocol, Deborah Cemental could not see her daughter when she was admitted to the hospital, but she had a phone conversation with her when she was moved to the ICU.
“I said, ‘She’s fine,’ and she knew she was going to miss Christmas – she loved Christmas.” Deborah Cementle said. “The last words he said to me were, ‘Mommy, she’ll be fine.’
The day before Christmas, Cementle said he was finally able to visit his daughter, but by that time, the teenager had already been deposed.
“I can only hope she can hear me when I talk to her.”
On Christmas Day, the 18-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and died on December 26.
“It was fast,” said Deborah Cementel. “There is no underlying situation. She was a very healthy, 18-year-old girl. We were active in terms of health, we all felt the flu shot and knew the importance of it because I emphasized it all the time when it comes to social distance. And make sure we have a mask. “
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office fee, Cemental died of severe hypoxic respiratory failure due to coronavirus.
“She took it. She took it – a perfectly healthy 18-year-old girl,” Deborah Cementle said. “I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
Cemental family
The family said it was still unclear how Cementley transmitted the virus.
The teenager’s mother, boyfriend and her boyfriend’s father all tested negative after her diagnosis.
“I don’t really know how he got the contract,” said Deborah Cementel.
Cemental’s family said they hope sharing his story will help others recognize the severity of the epidemic.
“There are a lot of people who don’t take it seriously. Her dad and I are here to tell you – that it’s real,” Deborah Cementle said. “There will be more holidays, birthdays, all these events we couldn’t do. You can do them again. This took my daughter and we won’t be able to get her again.”
A visit to Cemental on Wednesday afternoon in Orland Park, but due to coronavirus restrictions, only 10 people are allowed at a time and masks and social distance are required. The family also plans to have a private funeral.
Cemental is remembered as a free-spirited, compassionate and animal lover who volunteered at local animal shelters. She verbally promises that she was “loved by her furry best friend Bailey.”
Instead of flowers, his family asks Tinley Park’s PAWS to donate to pawstinleypark.org/donate.
“Please, wear a mask, social distance. Don’t worry about getting together for these occasions, wait until this gets under control,” Deborah Cementle said. “You’re not in the position that her father and I are right now. No one should bury their child. No parent should see their child the way my daughter passed. It’s a nightmare.”
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