‘Marian Lucas, one of life’s best.’ 

Marian Lucas as most know was a devoted wife, the most loving mum, a proud Nanna, a dear sister, a generous Aunty, a loyal friend and truly cherished by all. 

After testing positive for covid-19 on the 20th October, mum spent the following 11 days struggling to fight off the virus. 

It was the 31st October when mums condition deteriorated and the virus after attacking the rest of her body finally attacked her lungs. We watched as our precious queen struggled to breathe, but in true Marian style she remained strong & dignified whilst awaiting the ambulance to arrive. Listening to our cues whilst we held her and comforted her the best we could, mum began to slip in an out of consciousness.

Upon arrival the 2 paramedics promptly got to work giving mum oxygen & getting her into the ambulance where mum stopped breathing and was resuscitated by the amazing pair. At the hospital the doctors took the decision to put mum into an induced coma, her oxygen levels were so low, she was taking 100% oxygen from machines. 

Straight away mum was taken for a CT scan to check her lungs; it was at this point we were told that mums chance of survival was 50/50. During this time the wonderful staff allowed us to wait in a family room, keeping us updated & supported, even at clearly testing and busy time for the NHS.

It was after the CT scan that the doctors empathetically delivered the news that mum had suffered a blood clot to her lungs and there was extensive damage caused by the virus. The chance of mums survival was now pretty much none existent. 

Through the early hours into the 1st November mum was given every lifeline possible; a bed in ICU, oxygen, anaesthetic, infusions & a ventilator to try and allow her her body to recover. The nurses were giving 1-1 care; her situation monitored constantly. 

The nurses and doctors tried for 4 further days. We spent those days researching, trying to make sense, raise questions, anything to make sure that everything possible was being done. The thought that mum was just another statistic, just another bed that was needed passed through our thoughts.  

Those thoughts short lived when on 5th November the doctor sat to explain that although mums organs were functioning, her lungs would never pull through; they had tried to reduce her ventilator settings, they had tried to bring her round from sedation, she blinked, she nodded; but the machines keeping her alive. 

The pain behind the doctors eyes, the tears in the nurses eyes showed their sincerity and care; mum wasn’t a statistic or a bed they needed; mum simply couldn’t breathe unaided. 

Our world collapsed; her care was to be withdrawn. 

The doctor and nurses made a promise, a vow that their last duty was to make sure mum left this world painlessly and dignified. 

They allowed 2 of us to say goodbye for 1 hour; to sit with her whilst they began the withdrawal of care; for 7 hours they patiently sat with our mum, comforted us and cried with us. 

The nurses placed a knitted heart on mum’s chest, blankets under the covers as a gift for each of us to gather her scent, they allowed the rest of us to video call her from the corridor, she responded, moved slightly, blinked; the wonderful NHS allowed her a chance to know that we were all there with her. 

In her final hour two visitors allowed to return to witness mum leave this earth peacefully and as promised, painlessly and dignified. 

The NHS cut locks of her hair for each of us and patiently tied them with ribbons. They took mums hand print and photos of mum and dads hands holding. They give us all love heart wildflower seeds to plant in mums memory, books for grandchildren to help with their grieving. 

They went above and beyond their duty. 

A couple of days later a card came from the ICU department handwritten with an identical knitted heart that had been placed on mums chest; ‘to keep mum and dad connected by heart.’

Every nurse we saw looked like they had spent days crying, every doctor walked round with pain in their eyes. 

We simply cannot imagine having to go through what these amazing key workers go through daily; the mental feat everyday. 

So instead of flowers we ask that should you wish to, please donate to this cause that supports the wellbeing of the NHS staff in Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh hospital, our frontline hero’s who we are eternally grateful for ♥️

*This fund will be used to provide facilities, activities and services that support our staff well-being, both physically and mentally.NHS Heroes go the extra mile - day in, day out in taking care of our loved ones and they need our support now, more than ever.