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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Laura Paterson & Lorraine King

Great-gran with terminal cancer and lung condition wins battle with coronavirus

A great-grandmother with terminal cancer and a lung condition has celebrated her 81st birthday after winning her fight with coronavirus.

Mavis Torrance, from Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, said she cried when she was diagnosed with Covid-19 on March 31 as she feared she would not make it.

Mrs Torrance, who suffers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was being cared for at the Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow for the past month, after her daughter Angela Grubb and son-in-law Gus developed coronavirus symptoms and self-isolated at home.

She was tested for the killer virus after developing a temperature, Glasgow Live reports.

Recalling the devastating diagnosis, she said: "I burst into tears. I thought I have so much wrong with me, I'm not going to get through.

Mavis Torrance has beaten her coronavirus fight (PA)

"But here I am."

Mrs Torrance is now back home with Angela, Gus, and grandson Ross and the family celebrated her birthday on April 10 with cake, presents and FaceTime calls to family, including her great-grandchildren.

A further celebration is planned once the UK lockdown is over.

The 81-year-old said: "The hospice were absolutely fabulous, the staff are so caring. The minute you walk through the door they do anything for you."

The great-gran has celebrated her 81st birthday (PA)

Angela said: "Mum describes the hospice as a five-star hotel. After moving in with us last year, I found it hard to let go of her care, but the staff were all just fantastic."

She added: "She's loved getting back to her wee dog and we are so grateful to have her home.

"Marie Curie are continuing to check in with us and they got us the proper equipment that mum needs at home.

"A proper hospital bed, a rise and fall chair, a portable frame called a Sara Stedy to safely transport her between her rooms and shifting sheets for moving and handling. It's made such a difference."

Marie Curie Hospice manager Irene Johnstone said: "We are so happy for Mavis and her family that they've recovered from this devastating 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.

"Our hospices and nurses are on the front line 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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