Doreen’s Story

Site created on May 27, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Just before falling ill with COVID-19, Mom celebrated her 63rd birthday (Wednesday, April 7th).  Using a throw back profile image here because who doesn't love a good hair day pic.?  In case if you didn't already know, birthdays are a B I G deal to Grandma Doreen and she is known for waking family members before dawn with a birthday call. Texting isn't her gig, so rise and shine birthday girl/boy! 😊

Her daughter Tracy, in typical Tracy fashion, lovingly celebrated Mom with all the works; balloons, gifts, food, family, butterfly prints, laughter and LOTS of cake.  Whether hers or yours, birthdays are a day for celebration; she cherishes them as a blessing from above.

On a much more serious note, Doreen is in a very fragile state and continues to fight for her life; still unable to breath on her own. We have been on an emotional rollercoaster these last 4 weeks, to say the least.  We ask that you please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as we want nothing more than to celebrate many more blessings with her.  

See below for additional timeline details:

-April 24th - Visited UPMC Coudersport ER with stomach discomfort. Not Tested for COVID. Not admitted.
-April 29th - Transported to UPMC Coudersport ER by ambulance due to shortness of breath. Tested Positive for COVID. Admitted to ICU. Blood Oxygen level 53. Provided with additional oxygen. Oxygen improved to 86.5.
-April 30th - Oxygenation levels low. Intubation recommended.
-May 1st - Oxygen level 84.9
-May 2nd - Oxygen level 81. On antibiotics for infection in blood.
-May 3rd (Early a.m.) - Having difficulty. Intubated and flown to UPMC Hamot (Erie)
-May 4th - May 26th - Multiple daily calls, family video conferences with UPMC Hamot (Erie) staff and in person visits. Levels/readings and treatment paths provided and discussed at each. Her organs have not failed. Should enough improvement be seen, a tracheotomy surgery will be scheduled. 
-May 27th - Goal is to remove her from intubation and insert trach if she adjusts well to changes made to vent settings. This is a fine line. Tentative trach surgery set for Tue.

She and her husband Carl are long time members of Grace Chapel Fellowship where Carl is finding great peace and comfort during this trying time. We are truly grateful for the support and prayer provided by Pastor Jerry and his congregation.  Carl's prayers are mighty and efforts to grow the prayer chain - endless. Please join him by adding Doreen to your daily prayers. We ask that you please continue to pray for comfort, recovery and for all Health Care Workers as they continue to fight this cruel, unforgiving virus across the globe.

Warm wishes of hope, encouragement and inspiration are welcome. 

(NOTE: The CaringBridge.org app. shows "Help Doreen Stay Connected to Family and Friends" and offers an option to give a $30 donation to CaringBridge to power the site for one month... Please DISREGARD this  as no donations are being requested for this or any other fundraising platform at this time.)

Newest Update

Journal entry by LISA NAY

Please join us for Doreen G. Skinner’s memorial service at 12 noon, Fri., July 2 at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Home, 105 N. Main Street, Port Allegany, PA 16743. 

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