"They saved my life."

“I’ve beat breast cancer, liver cancer, COVID and double pneumonia all in a year and a half. I’m very determined.”

Darlene Rushton, an 86-year-old woman born and raised in Brigham City, began the COVID pandemic with additional bad news: a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. With determination to continue her life, she engaged in an aggressive treatment plan involving two extensive surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. As her treatment nearly finished, another diagnosis piled on: she had liver cancer, too. So, Darlene received more radiation and medical treatments. Yet, her battle for a longer life would continue climbing uphill, and it would grow even more severe as the cold winter blew in.

“At the time, we were living in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, but my son said we shouldn’t be there another winter alone. It was heartbreaking to leave our home, but we made our decision and moved to Brigham City to be around family,” Darlene said. “Then at Christmastime, my daughter, grandson and great granddaughter all got COVID. We were around each other, so I got it too, and it took its toll on me more than any of them.”

When emergency strikes, Brigham City Community Hospital offers close-to-home medical care

Darlene lost her voice for about 2 weeks, and her usual energy and gumption vanished as well.  

“One night I went down to our bedroom in the basement and my grandson was really worried about me. When he came to check on me, I was out of it,” Darlene said. “I was conscious but too weak to argue with him when he decided to take me to the Emergency Room. Thankfully, he works out all the time and is very strong, so he just picked me up, ran up 13 stairs, put me in the car and took me to Brigham City Community Hospital.” 

At the hospital, Darlene received oxygen support and medication to help her body battle the vicious virus. Because of previously made medical decisions formalized in a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR), Darlene did not receive ventilation.

“COVID affected my mind. It was all foggy, so I don’t remember much of those three days at the hospital,” Darlene said. “I just remember the doctor standing at the bottom of my bed saying, ‘I didn’t think I could save you.’ So, I guess I was almost gone.”

Not only did COVID pummel Darlene, but an added infection of pneumonia festered in both her lungs.

"No wonder I was having such a tough time! I’m thankful for the hospital doctor during this whole thing. I know he was great because he stayed in touch with my family personally. He’d talk on the phone with my son every day," Darlene said.

Determined to recover, Darlene fought back against COVID, cancer and pneumonia

Eventually, Darlene’s health stabilized enough that she could recover the rest of her strength and stamina at a local rehabilitation center, where she stayed for 17 days before returning home to the open arms of her husband and family.

While her rebound from COVID seems miraculous, her family believes the reason lies with Darlene’s strong-willed mind and unwavering desire to live that kept her body going.

“I’ve beat breast cancer, liver cancer, COVID and double pneumonia all in a year and a half. I’m very determined,” Darlene said with a smile. “But I also know without a shadow of doubt that it is not my time yet. I still have things to do.”

And with Darlene’s celebrated determination, it’s a safe bet that she’ll get those things done no matter what!