Covid: I think my frail 70-something mum has just survived this terrible virus – Hayley Matthews

I think my mum’s just survived Covid. I don't want to be too hasty but she's just been able to stop self-isolating in hospital.

Hayley Matthews' son Harris is pictured with her mother, who is recovering from Covid-19

A few weeks ago I received a call from her doctor saying she wasn't right, he couldn't put his finger on it and wanted to test for Covid. It came back positive and my heart sank.

I thought she'd be dead in days and couldn't think about anything else. I couldn't be there with her and it was truly one of the worse experiences I've gone through since this started.

I don't believed she’s completely out the woods yet, but I wanted to share the hope that not all is lost.

Especially since the passing of Captain Tom, I think it's important to share that there is hope for our elderly.

For those who don't know my mum, she's 70-odd, very frail, has a chronic inflammatory lung disease, alcohol-related brain damage, vascular dementia and needs assistance with most things.

She's a shadow of her former self but still has an abundance of strong character. She's tough as old boots and has overcome hurdles that would have put many of us six feet under!

One example of her sheer determination was about 15 years ago when volunteering at a dog sanctuary in Cyprus. She'd been walking alone in a remote part of Limassol when three Russian guys pulled up beside her shouting vile obscenities from their car.

My mum’s always been extraordinarily stunning (even in a dirty boiler suit, she'd look great!) and the men were ogling at her in a vulgar way.

How she described the event to me has left a mental scar to this day. They eventually stopped their car and darted towards her, chasing her off into some shrubs.

They tried to hunt her down as she ran desperately into some long grasses and hid for her life (we can only imagine they were going rape her or much worse).

She then ran into the hilly woodlands and stayed hidden for hours. She told me she kept quiet despite their tormenting calls and evil taunts. She heard them pass her, searching for her and, after a long time, when it was safe, she ran home.

When she came back to Scotland, she was covered in scars from bolting through the shrubs and bushes. I felt so sorry for her and yet admired her that nothing and no one will ever take her down. Not three horny Russian guys, not many of life's dangers and certainly not Covid.

I know she won't be here for ever and will one day depart this plane and go on to greater things. However, I haven't quite accepted that yet because she's just always been here.

My heart goes out to everyone who's lost someone due to this awful virus, and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

However, as my mum recovers from Covid, I hope it offers faith to those worried about themselves and loved ones getting ill.

I've not seen my mum for months but from what I believe, she's had it mild and is now doing much better.

So say your prayers for her and all those fighting Covid. My words might not comfort everyone but for some I hope they offer some hope.

And if this virus has any morals, I hope those three Russian b******* get it! That's what my mum would say!

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