GLOUCESTER, Va. - A 56-year-old mother of eight from Gloucester is fighting for her life after contracting COVID-19.
“As soon as they checked her oxygen levels, they said 'you really need to go to the hospital,'” said Brian Bayford about his wife.
Now, 25 days later, Dorothy Bayford is on a ventilator.
“My wife’s life is hour-to-hour, it’s day-to-day. We don’t know what is going to happen from one point to another," Brian said.
Brian has been posting updates on Facebook, and said he has received comments from people in 11 different countries and 34 different states.
“Some people send me messages saying, 'I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but we are praying for you and your wife every day.' That kind of support is just unbelievable and melts my heart,“ Brian said. “She is sedated, and I read the posts to her every day. I read, listen to music, those types of things make a big difference. “
He said the response from complete strangers has been tremendous, but said a small number of comments have been harsh in regards to the couple not getting vaccinated.
Brian said the couple got COVID-19 at the same time. He got better, but Dorothy got worse.
This family has been through a lot. Brian's first wife died in a car accident.
His three daughters, who were also in the car, survived the accident. Dorothy has two sons, then the couple adopted three more girls -- bringing the total to eight kids.
“I was the worst out of all eight. My mom said I gave her most of her gray hairs,” said Jazzmine Bayford. She said there are 18 grandkids and two more on the way.
Now, they are all coming together and praying. They would even pray outside Dorothy's hospital window before they were allowed in during the time that she was still testing positive for COVID-19.
“She will not stop fighting. She is definitely a fighter,” said Jace Harris, the eldest of the children.
Dorothy's family is raising money to help pay for medical bills.
Brian said Dorothy is the love of his life, and called on everyone to show each other more love as our country deals with the pandemic.
“We don’t need separation anymore in this country, in any way, shape or form. People need to support each other, and people need to love each other,” Brian said.