Mom Makes "Miracle" H1N1 Recovery

A Florida mom, who was so sick from the H1N1 virus she was put in a medically-induced coma for weeks, has surprised everyone with a remarkable recovery.

Cherie Starling was completely healthy last month, but on a trip with her daughter's drum corps, she began experiencing flu symptoms.

Cherie's condition deteriorated to the point where doctors told her family to expect the worst.

However, Cherie made a turnaround. She and her husband, Wayne Starling, spoke in an exclusive interview with Friday about her illness and recovery.

Cherie, who is currently in the University Community Health's Long-Term Acute Care Hospital in Land O'Lakes, Fla., said she's making progress every day.

"I'm a little labored in my breathing," she said from her hospital bed, "but it's all a process of getting back to normal."

Cherie said emerging from the coma and seeing her friends around her was "like a miracle."

She added, "To hear, still, some of the stories about how sick I was. And, you know, I still don't even really comprehend how sick I was. ... It's just like a month off. ... It's like where did the month go?"

Wayne said the last week seeing his wife make a turnaround "was unbelievable." He added, "You couldn't wipe the smile off my face -- I couldn't do it -- if you tried. ... After going through almost a month of not being able to touch my wife, I just thank the Lord for it."

Wayne said he attributes much of Cherie's recovery to being with family and friends back in Florida.

Cherie was in Louisiana when she fell ill. Wayne said he was surprised when a cough landed his wife in the hospital two days later.

Wayne said he traveled to be at her side as she fought the flu for three weeks. "She was trying to get better," he said. "And it didn't seem like things were going to turn around. And it was very difficult."

But now, Wayne said he "couldn't be happier" with the results.

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said Cherie was very lucky her doctors intervened and began treating her for influenza right away -- before test results were returned.

"That is the key," Ashton said. "If you have a clinical suspicion, do not delay. Treat it with Tamiflu."

Ashton added, not only children at camps and schools need to be aware, but parents, as well.

"When we talk about the group that's hardest hit, it is children," Ashton said. "It hits the age group 14 times more often than the adults over the age of 60. But remember, those are statistics, so that doesn't mean there aren't outliers in that age group."

Ashton also suggested these Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) precautions for if a family member becomes infected with H1N1 flu:
1. Designate a sick room.
2. Stay six feet away.
3. If close contact, wear a face mask.
4. Wash hands often.
5. Stay home for 24 hours after fever is gone.

But how do you know if you should see a doctor?

Ashton cited these CDC signs for when it's time to visit your physician:
1. Difficulty breathing.
2. Purple or blue lips.
3. Unable to keep fluids down.
4. Seizures.