'She is a fighter' - Sunderland grandmother on road to recovery after coronavirus battle

Marion Jolliff, 62, from Pennywell, was in a coma for more than a fortnight after she was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital in early March.

Her family were unable to visit her after she tested positive for coronavirus and had to rely on telephone updates from the hospital.

The grandmother came out her coma around a fortnight ago and was allowed home on Tuesday after a month in hospital.

And now her family have said she is coming on ‘leaps and bounds’ now that she is able to recover at home, surpassing doctor’s expectations.

Son Alen Jolliff, 43, said: “She has come on leaps and bounds since last weekend when nurses said it would be a long recovery.

“But already she has come a long way.

“She is a fighter.”

Alen continued: “She is getting better and has improved over the last couple of days.

“She is at home with my dad and sister who are also doing OK and not displaying any symptoms.

“We are hoping by the weekend she will be feeling even better.”

Marion is said to now be breathing OK and not on any machines at home to assist her recovery.

But the much-loved mum is said to be experiencing some confusion following her long period of sedation while fighting the illness in hospital.

Son Alen said it has been a surreal time for his mum who went into hospital before lockdown only to emerge with the whole of the UK closed down in a bid to prevent the spread of the illness.

Alen said: “She has a bit of delirium from being in hospital for a while under sedation.

“When she went in everything was normal but when she has come out we are in complete lockdown.

“But she is doing OK.”

The family are also coping with the tragic loss of Marion’s brother Joe Jenkins, 65, of Ford Estate, following his own battle against coronavirus.

Dad-of-six Joe, described by his family as a "true gent”, was rushed into Sunderland Royal Hospital on March 30 after showing symptoms of Covid-19 and sadly died just two days later.

Joe’s daughter, Eva Jenkins, paid tribute to her dad, saying: “He was an amazing man who was always up for a laugh.

“He’ll be a massive miss to everyone, not just the family.”

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