Trending
WILLIAMSPORT -- Ninety-five-year-old World War II veteran and city resident, Donald "The Duke" Lukens, tested positive and admitted to the hospital for COVID recently due to having a cough and having trouble breathing, even after receiving his first shot of the COVID vaccine.
But a week later, Lukens was discharged back to his home at Elmcroft Assisted Living.
He and his family spoke to the Sun-Gazette about his experience with COVID and the legendary life he continues to lead.
"I was in shock," Donald said. "I had only had the measles when I was young ... and to have COVID without knowing ... it was a shock."
When he was in the hospital, he had to be hooked up to machines as well as have six liters of oxygen and even went into atrial fibrillation which is an irregular heartbeat that could eventually lead to blood clots, according to Janelle Lukens, granddaughter.
Though Donald has the potential to test positive for COVID for the next few weeks and is experiencing some hives, he will be considered not contagious after 10 weeks.
Today, Donald is safe but still using oxygen at Elmcroft -- feeling and doing much better, even though he can only see his family through the window and short 30 minute distanced visits.
"If anyone is going to defy the odds, it is my grandfather," Janelle said. "But being so far away it is so scary."
Janelle lives in Georgia, while other family members live locally, like Randy Lukens, Donald's son.
"I actually work for UPMC Wellsboro, I was seeing (COVID) every day," Randy said. "With him being 95, it was a very scary feeling. He avoided it for so long. … He showed us all that he could do it, and now he is doing well."
"I didn't like going to the hospital, but I knew I was going to get better, and now here we are. They (the nurses and doctors) treated me good. I am doing great, I feel good, good appetite. I just don't like being cooped up.They did a wonderful job, I mean that sincerely."
When Donald was discharged, the first thing he asked for were Burger King fries and an Arby's sandwich because he wasn't a fan of the hospital food according to Janelle.
"He taught us that life continues," Randy said.
The two talked about how Donald has remained strong and even worked multiple jobs all the way until he was 85 years old.
"He just has this zest for life," Janelle said. "I have been so lucky to witness that first hand."
Donald has a lot of life experience, joy and adventure from being in Germany, France and Japan with the Army, to going on rides, to the cabin and to the river, with his family as well as cheering his grandchildren on at their sports games.
He has never given up and has touched many locals, according to his family.
Janelle and Randy posted a photo when Donald was in the hospital asking for positive thoughts and prayers, and the post received nearly 1,000 likes and comments.
"Just the lives that he has touched ... I can't even imagine," Janelle said.