A Mission CISD instructional aide is fighting for her life in the ICU after suffering a medical emergency during a trip to Mexico, according to her family.

Yadira Hernandez, 35, is now at South Texas Health System in McAllen after her family spent roughly 24 hours coordinating her transport back to the Rio Grande Valley.

Hernandez was visiting her boyfriend's family in Chiapas, Mexico, when she developed flu-like symptoms. She was later diagnosed with both COVID and the flu.

She suffered seizures and was placed in a medically induced coma at a small hospital in Mexico.

Her brother, Roman Hernandez, said a social worker at the hospital told the family to prepare for the worst.

"The social worker told them my sister is essentially just dying and to prepare for the next steps," Roman Hernandez said.

That phone call set off a race against time. With help from friends, a church, and a victims defense group, the family coordinated an ambulance and a helicopter to bring Hernandez back to the Valley.

The effort cost the family $22,000 out of pocket.

"Right now she's in critical condition. She's in the ICU intubated; she has tubes in her mouth," Roman Hernandez said.

Doctors are now working to determine the extent of any damage caused after her oxygen levels dropped dangerously low.

"Right now she's just fighting for her life and fighting to wake up and fighting to see the light and be able to wake up and talk to us again,” Roman Hernandez said. That's where she currently stands.”

Mission CISD identified Hernandez as an instructional aide at Kenneth White Junior High in a statement to Channel 5 News, calling her a valued member of the district. Their statement is available in full below: 

“Mission CISD is keeping Kenneth White Junior High instructional aide Yadira Hernandez and her family in our thoughts as she faces a serious medical emergency.

Ms. Hernandez is a valued member of the Mission CISD family, and during this difficult time, our hearts are with her loved ones, colleagues, and students.

We remain hopeful for her recovery and are grateful for the outpouring of compassion and support from our Mission CISD community.

We ask our community to continue keeping Ms. Hernandez and her family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Roman Hernandez said he is grateful his sister is back in the country.

"Most of all I want to thank God; without his grace, without his healing hand over my sister and getting her back over here, none of this would be possible," Roman Hernandez said.