An 81-year-old great-grandmother who is suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the last stage of cancer has won the battle against COVID-19.
The woman celebrated her 81st birthday a few days ago.
Bishopbriggs resident Mavis Torrance got a high fever while she was being taken care of at Glasgow’s Marie Curie Hospice.
A day before that, Torrance’s daughter Angela Grubb and her husband Gus got the symptoms of COVID-19 and went into self-isolation at their residence.
Torrance said she “burst into tears” when her results for coronavirus tests came positive on March 31. She was frightened about getting the deadly virus that has been the cause of 11,329 deaths in the country so far.
However, against all speculations, Torrance won the fight against the deadly infection and is now living with her family at their home. She celebrated her 81st birthday on April 10.
Before getting coronavirus, Torrance spent a month at the hospice and was very pleased with the staff of the facility for taking good care of her.
Appreciating the hospice staff, Torrance said: “The hospice was absolutely fabulous; the staff are so caring. The minute you walk through the door they do anything for you.”
During her time at the hospice, Torrance passed her time doing embroidery, having thoughtful conversations with the staff and watching soaps. She declared Emmerdale her favorite character.
Torrance’s daughter Angela said her mom referred to the hospice as a “five-star hotel” and acknowledged the fact that she is now “back to basics” after getting special treatment in form of meals particularly cooked for her including salmon and sauces.
Angela said she was concerned about her mother’s care but the hospice took very good care of her.
The facility also provided a hospital bed, rise and fall chair, and a Sara Stedy portable frame to the family to safely transport Torrance between the rooms of the house.
Angela acknowledged that the provisions from the hospice have made “such a difference.”
Due to the lockdown, Gus, who is a dean of faculty at the City of Glasgow College is now working from home, playing his part in taking care of Torrance.
The family celebrated Torrance’s birthday with balloons, gifts, and a cake. They made video calls to family members who couldn’t attend the event, including Torrance’s great-grandchildren.
Torrance said she’ll continue to celebrate and enjoy life once the lockdown ends.
Irene Johnstone, the manager of Marie Curie Hospice, said she was very happy to see the family recover from the deadly virus.
“It’s so special that she was able to spend her birthday at home surrounded by her loved ones and wee dog that she adores,” she told STV.
“Our hospices and nurses are on the frontline caring for dying people, both with and without coronavirus. We’re pulling out all the stops to care for patients and helping relieve pressure on the NHS at this time.”
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