LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The coronavirus has canceled weddings, birthday parties, christenings and many more family events. Like many of us, Joan 'Pooch' Mason looks forward to these things every year.
The mother of six, grandmother of 16 and great-grandmother of three is constantly on the move from sporting events to baby showers.
However, life has we know it has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Along with it, the family fun events have been paused.
After watching her husband of almost 64 years battle the virus, John got sick and tested positive for the virus. Joan had a feeling she'd be next.
In March, John was hospitalized for four days as a result of the coronavirus. When Joan started feeling bad, she was pretty certain she would have the virus as well--and she did.
"All I wanted to do was sleep," she said. "That's not like me."
In her many roles in the community, Joan always seems to be taking care of others, which is exactly how she likes it.
Coronavirus has forced her to slow down, and focus on herself.
"The fever, constantly, and stomach pains, the coughing was terrible," says Joan. "I get weak now. I'm not used to being down. I want it over. So does everybody else though."
Through all the bleak there have been bright points for her.
Joan says she's had hundreds of phone calls and after talking to her parish priest, she received a phone call from Archbishop Kurtz.
"He called me the next day," she said through tears of excitement. "Yeah, it was just... I said Archbishop Kurtz... I don't believe this! I don't believe it!"
A strong woman of great faith, Joan said she knew her sacrifices were for the health of the community.
"I just hope this little talk will keep people on their toes and get rid of this," she said. "We need to get back to our world. I need to see my grandchildren."
WHAS11 is hoping to talk to Mason every day for the rest of the week to get a better idea of what coronavirus patients are going through the day.
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