SUPER GRAN CATHERINE, 86, BEATS COVID-19
RAH STAFF HELP OAP WITH ASTHMA DEFY THE ODDS AGAINST VIRUS
The family of an 86-year-old “super gran” who beat coronavirus despite having chronic asthma has thanked staff at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital for their unwavering care and support.
Catherine Reilly’s family feared they may never see her again after she was admitted to hospital at the start of April having shown symptoms of the potentially-deadly virus for a week.
The Renfrew woman was taken to the RAH in an ambulance after telling her family she was experiencing shortness of breath.
Noleen Harte, one of Catherine’s four devoted granddaughters, said: “My gran has suffered with COPD and chronic asthma her whole life, so this was a familiar experience for the family, but with the added worry of coronavirus.
“We dreaded a positive result as, coupled with her age, we felt that her underlying conditions would not allow her to recover. “It would be a step too far.”
Catherine was confirmed as having Covid-19 within hours of being admitted to hospital and was initially treated with oxygen, steroids and antibiotics.
With the RAH closed to visitors in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, the Reilly family,
frantic with worry.
Noleen added: “The days that followed were very stressful and with two of my sisters living in Ireland, the anxiety was increasing in relation to my gran’s illness and the prospect of any us seeing her again.
“The worry that we couldn’t see her and reassure her was the worst part of the experience.”
But Catherine defied the odds and began to feel better.
Within days she was moved from ward 15 to the older adult care ward, where she continued her treatment and recovery.
She experienced bouts of delirium and felt frightened and alone at times, but still her condition continued to improve.
It is the care of the staff within the ward who Catherine credits with her speedy recovery.
“My gran is extremely grateful to the RAH and all the staff,” Noleen said.
“She recalled that the RAH and the old RAI in Paisley have been caring for her with health needs for many, many years and she is eternally grateful.
“The nursing staff on ward 15 were amazing.
“They gave us a daily update and we felt comfortable to call in at any time to share information and ask questions.
“We laughed with the nurses on the phone as we discussed stories of my gran.
“Over the years, she was dubbed by us as super gran.
“She used to try on our leather jackets and platforms to give us a laugh!
“Eventually we managed to get some family photographs, books and letters and cards from her great grandchildren in to the ward.”
Catherine was discharged after 16 days in hospital and has returned home with the support of a care package, which her family describes as “invaluable”.
Her safe return has delighted Noleen and her sisters Geraldine, Angela and Mary Kate, as well as her eight great grandchildren, Tammy, Sophie, Rosie, Luke, Daniel, Emma, Thomas and Ruairidh and her great, great grandchild Mirren.