Preston family's joy as battling grandmother Cecilia comes home after three months of battling coronavirus in hospital

Cecilia Kearney, 78, was left fighting for her life when she and her husband Syd, a retired electrician, contracted Covid -19 in October.

But against all odds she arrived home on Thursday to the proud claps and cheers of her family and neighbours in Smithy Lane, Much Hoole, near Preston.

The retired insurance agent, who comes from Glasgow, started to be ill with a high temperature and deteriorated rapidly after a week.

Son Stuart, 52, broke down as he recalled: " I phoned 999 in the end. They had to carry her down stairs.

" The ambulance came and we both just stood outside it, helpless - I thought it was the last time I'd see her."

Cecilia ended up in a coma on a ventilator and became gravely ill with both sepsis and pneumonia.

Hospital staff were so concerned at her condition they even wheeled her out in her bed for five minutes so Stuart and Syd could see her.

She carried on fighting the illness, celebrating her 57th wedding anniversary and her 78th birthday with brief video chats from her bed.

Her family had to drop off Christmas presents of clothes and perfume before Christmas so they could be quarantined before being handed to her.

But on Tuesday, Stuart was contacted by the hospital to say Cecilia could finally come home to her husband, son and grandchildren.

In an emotional twist the family has revealed it is the second time RPH staff have saved Cecilia's life.

Electrical worker Stuart explains: " Mum had cancer a while ago, maybe 20 years ago - so they've saved her twice. They're fantastic.

"I've been an emotional wreck all day.

"Mum and Dad have never been apart that long, he was missing her and wanted her home.

"We asked the neighbours to clap for her, but other than that it's been a quiet homecoming as she is still ill and needs lots of rest."

Today Cecilia said: "I thought that I was dying, that this was it. I was in intensive care for five weeks and still couldn't see my son and husband - it was a terrible time.

"I felt lonely but you've got to keep going.

"I didn't really know much about it when I was on a ventilator but apparently I had a heart attack and they didn't think I'd make it either.

"I've missed so much. birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, New Year - so it makes me angry when people aren't sticking to the regulations.

"The nurses and doctors were marvellous, and kept me going. On my birthday in December I woke up and the nurses had a big cake and all sang happy birthday to me.

"Another time the surgeon asked what my favourite music was and played Frank Sinatra for me.

"I'm not 100% but I'm getting there. It's very good to be home and I'm getting looked after, but it's also hard because I was very independent before.

"I did shopping, gardening and cleaning, so it's hard to let that be done by other people.

"I'm so grateful to everyone who has looked after me, my family and the hospital staff."

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