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Covid

Wanted: some good stories about survival in the very elderly

33 replies

ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 00:34

My mum who’s 94 has just tested positive for Covid. She’s had the symptoms only for a few days and the GP says the period between now and the weekend will be crucial. Her symptoms are reasonably mild at present, eg she’s not in bed and she’s eating normally. She just has a bit of a cough.

I’m obviously worried about her and particularly anxious about how the coming days are going to play out. I accept that she’s very elderly and what will be, will be. But I just can’t face the thought of her deteriorating in the next few days and me not being able to see her again. We’re in Edinburgh and she’s in a care home here, so the lockdown rules have not changed. If I visit her, for example, then I’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days, and this would include not being able to visit her during this period. I’m also aware that, if the outcome ends up not being good, then my siblings and I would have to decide who would be with her in the care home and who would attend her funeral. Even writing that sentence makes me really sad.

So some good stories of very elderly folk who’ve beaten this would be much appreciated.

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MaudebeGonne · 14/05/2020 00:45

My friends 96 year old Grandma tested positive in her nursing home and shook it off. She has since had a negative swab and appears to be recovered. If you Google Maureen Sweeney and Belmullet you can read all about her!

I hope your Mum gets better. You just be worried sick.

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mrsprefect · 14/05/2020 00:45

You must be worried sick. I saw this earlier, hope it helps you. Everything crossed that your mum's symptoms stay mild.


www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/joy-brave-east-kilbride-grandad-22014710

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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 01:15

Brilliant, thanks to both of you. It’s great to see these people beating the odds.

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AuroraBore · 14/05/2020 01:20
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ToffeeYoghurt · 14/05/2020 01:27

The mum of Nadine Dorries (the MP who caught it early on). She's in her 80s. Apparently she had it more mildly than Nadine did.

I hope your mum makes a full recovery. It's not impossible.

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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 01:33

These are great - especially the couple from Kerala and the Italian lady who’s 103! Lying here smiling Smile.

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AuroraBore · 14/05/2020 01:35

Keep thinking positive! Smile

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Lottie2017 · 14/05/2020 08:15

My gran recovered from Covid-19 age 91 with COPD and having just had a hip operation (she caught it in hospital) I was really upset and didn't think I would see her again, but she is now back at home and doing well. There are lots of positive stories out there about the elderly recovering- I really hope this is the case for your family member too 😊

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Dontlickthetrolley · 14/05/2020 09:16

My grandad recovered at 97. He was in hospital and already had a chest infection they were treating. Tested positive when someone on the ward died. He was tested again 2 weeks later and came back negative. Never really showed any other symptoms.

Be positive Flowers

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AnneKipanki · 14/05/2020 10:51

Friend’s mother is 99 and in a care home.
She tested positive 3 weeks ago . Hardly any symptoms.

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Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 10:59
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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 12:27

@Orangeblossom78 thank you so much for signposting me to the other thread. It really is uplifting. I think there may well be something in what you wrote (at least I think it was you who wrote it) about some of the very elderly seeming to respond well to this virus. I know a lot aren’t, but it would be interesting when all this is finally over to see survival rates between those aged for example 65 to 75, 75 to 90 and 90+.

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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 12:28

Thanks to everyone who has posted - it really does make a difference.

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Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 12:32

No problem Flowers yes it really isn't just about age is it.

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Keepdistance · 14/05/2020 22:18

My great aunt looks to be doing ok shes 90+.

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ragged · 14/05/2020 22:20

I had the impression that the majority of people in their 80s who get it, they recover long enough to not die with covid. I think I read a statistic like 90% recover. But I wish I knew if that was reliable or how it was validated.

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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 22:47

Ragged, that’s similar to what @Orangeblossom78 said on this or another thread. It’s bizarre if true.

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ZuzusPetaIs · 14/05/2020 22:47

Thanks, everyone, for your great stories of hope.

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Orangeblossom78 · 15/05/2020 14:50

There are some genes associated with longevity and may be immunity related as well. Interesting isn't it.

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Eyewhisker · 15/05/2020 15:36

Of the Chelsea pensioners, 61 had the virus, 5 died and 56 recovered. That’s really not bad at all at that age.

www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/covid-statistics

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albird · 15/05/2020 15:37

My MIL is 95 and was ill just after DH and I had what we believed to be Coronavirus at the end of March. She had mild symptoms and recovered within a few days. She has mild dementia and high blood pressure - she lives next door to us so we could keep an eye on her.

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ZuzusPetaIs · 16/05/2020 15:45

That seems a good survival rate for the Chelsea Pensioners.

@albird I hope your MIL is still ok.

My mum continues to display mild symptoms and we’re still taking one day at a time, but it’s the best we could have hoped for following the original diagnosis.

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Lifeisabeach09 · 16/05/2020 16:12

I worked in a care home which had a wide outbreak. Many residents (aged 85+) have recovered--only ever having very mild (or no!) symptoms.

Have hope.

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