86-Year-Old Beats COVID-19, Greeted by Family At Hospital

Lori and Gerald Hightower were patiently waiting to see their mother in-person for the first time in more than a month.

She was supposed to come down at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, but she was fashionably late at 11:15 a.m.

Mary Ann Hightower spent a total of 35 days in the hospital and at Integris Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation. She battled and beat COVID-19.

At one point, she even ripped the ventilator out of her mouth because it was uncomfortable.

The 35 days felt like an eternity for Mary Ann Hightower’s children. They stayed connected with their mom via FaceTime, calling at least twice a day.

Now that Mary Ann Hightower has a clean bill of health, she knows just what she’s going to do when she gets home.

“Well, we have five acres. I think I’m going to go out and take a walk," Mary Ann Hightower said.