MY NAME IS NANCY BUCKINGHAM AND I AM ANNE'S ELDEST DAUGHTER. I WILL BE SHARING HER STORY AS WE PROGRESS DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. FYI ... ANNE'S CHILDREN THAT ALSO LIVE HERE IN GREELEY AREA ARE HER SONS, ROD AND RON, AND HER OTHER DAUGHTER, MARILYN. SHE HAS TWO OTHER SONS THAT LIVE OUT OF TOWN, RICK WHO LIVES IN CALIFORNIA AND RANDY, A MISSIONARY IN UKRAINE.
On Saturday, September 19th, my mom (Anne Marshall) collapsed as she was walking next door to share an evening meal with her good friend, Dorothy, and her grandsons (Alex, Andrew & Philip-my brother Randy's sons). Fortunately, when she began losing strength in her legs, Alex, Andrew and Philip, were there to catch her and get her back to her house and helped her lay down. She ended up just going to sleep and the next morning text'd my sister, Marilyn, and I about what had happened and that she wasn't feeling well. Alex was there with her during the morning while we finished our responsibilities at church, then after that we went to see how she was feeling. When we arrived, she was still unable to stand with her walker or move from her chair. So, the boys helped us move her to her car and we took her across the street to the ER.
Our main fear was that she had another stroke, since last time that happened she had trouble walking or holding herself up. After an afternoon/evening of tests and waiting, it came back that she DID NOT have a stroke (thank you Lord!) but she had a UTI that they would be able to treat with antibiotics. During this time of reporting, they took her temperature which was very high at 103.8 and she had a terrible, deep cough. They admitted her into the hospital that night.
Because of COVID restrictions, she was only allowed 2 visitors (the same people) in a 24 hour period so Marilyn (my sister) and myself stopped by on Monday at noon and again on Tuesday to check on her. She was in good spirits and feeling better, kept commenting on how rested she was feeling because they were letting her sleep!
Then, late Tuesday afternoon, the hospital called to let us know that she had tested positive for COVID. We were no longer able to go see her as she was moved to quarantine and isolation. All of Wednesday and the first part of Thursday, she was doing well and in good spirits. Many of her friends and family members were calling and visiting with her, which was a wonderful blessing and kept her spirits up.
Thursday afternoon, the doctor called to report that her oxygen intake had moved from 1-2 liters to her needing 10 liters. He was concerned because this was a big jump in a short period of time. At this time, they moved her to ICU so the nurses could monitor her more closely. Because of COVID her lungs were compromised and he said she could very well have a second infection in her lungs, which they often see in cases such as hers. So, they treated her for those infections and gave her an anti-inflammatory drug in an attempt to slow down the lung infection.
Then, yesterday (Friday), the doctor called to report that things had taken another downturn. They now had to give her 100% oxygen (the maximum) which is 60 liters (up from 10 liters the day before). This was yet another concerning jump and by yesterday afternoon, this oxygen was still not being able to keep her lung function where it needed to be. So, they had her lay on her stomach all afternoon, which was surprisingly beneficial and helped her oxygen levels get to a more normal rate.
Unfortunately, during the night last night, her oxygen levels dipped below the dangerous levels and even turning her on her stomach did not bring them up. The ER nurses called us (Nancy, Marilyn, Rod & Ron) at around 4am and said they would allow us to come up to her ICU room to basically say good-bye. Needless to say, we were horrified and upset that she had declined so quickly.
But, our mom is one tough cookie and when we went to see her this morning, she woke up and was so glad to see us. We had some good conversation and it was so reassuring for us to be able to see her. She does not know how dire her situation is, we don't want her to worry but just rest and relax as much as possible. She has a big oxygen mask on her face, starts coughing when trying to talk and has lots of noisy machines in her room, so it's difficult and very frustrating for her to talk on the phone. She has been sleeping most of the day away, which we are thankful for, and the doctor said they are trying to keep her as comfortable as possible. She has asked that people refrain from calling her but we know she would welcome cards. You can send those to her in c/o UCHEALTH GREELEY HOSPITAL, 6767 W 29th St, ICU Room 237, Greeley, CO 80634
Thanks to everyone for the huge outpouring of love and support for our mother, what a blessing and encouragement it has been to us and to her. We are grateful for your continued prayers for her!
Hello and thank you so much for walking with our family during this difficult time. It's Nancy again to pass on information concerning the memorial service for my mom. There will be a viewing on Thursday night, October 15 from 6-8pm at Adamson's Funeral Home at 2000 47th Ave, Greeley, CO 80634. Then her memorial service will be held the next day, Friday, October 16th at 1:00 at Generations Church, 3600 W. 22nd Street, Greeley.
We ask that you wear a mask if you plan to attend the visitation and memorial service. Please also plan on wearing your mask for the duration of the visitation and memorial service. We will be limiting the number of people in the room during the visitation and since it is a "come and go" time, we are hoping to keep people moving in and out to assure that we can keep social distancing in place. Then, during the memorial service, we will be also social distancing groups by leading each group to a designated seating area that is distanced. After the service, we will be dismissing groups to immediately go outside. There will not be a reception following and our family will greet everyone outside after the service is over.
We know that there are many different views on how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and we have no desire to debate this issue. But, we would ask that you would honor our mother and her family by keeping your masks on and practicing social distancing. We know her greatest joy is to gather with family and friends, visiting and enjoying each other. We are sad that during this time, that is not possible in the way we are used to doing it.
My sister, my brothers and myself cannot even begin to express how much your comments and well-wishes on this site and other places have meant to us. Your love for my mother and our family is a great comfort to us during this time of grief. The hope of eternity and the joy of our faith is the greatest comfort of all.
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