I’m a survivor!

As some of you might have known I was tested SARS-CoV-2 positive two weeks ago. 

Through the grace of God, thankful for all the prayers and love, and concern of family and friends I have recovered, apart from the residual lethargy as is normal with any viral infection.

I would like to enlighten you on my journey and experience with my symptoms and what I did if it can help anyone you know that maybe infected. 

Everybody has different symptoms and the strain is different in everyone, as epidemiologists are still learning about this profound and evolving virus.

The last two weeks have been an incredible journey in the sense of my inner being put to a great challenge. 

I started off with the most pounding headache you could ever imagine, and I’m not one to even take panados but that night I had no choice. I broke out into chills and could not sleep that first night. 

The first few days were a challenge, with my sense of taste heightened with everything tasting really spicy or salty. I kept myself hydrated daily, did my breathing exercises, used some Arnica oil for my legs as it was beginning to feel sore but that was short lived thankfully, and kept myself nourished spiritually. By day 4 I seemed stronger & even had the energy to blog about my unforeseen events. By that same afternoon I was exhausted. It was up and down the next few days. I could hardly chat long on the phone because I just got tired, not out of breath. I was doing Vick’s inhalation and started garlic lemon and honey in warm water, with turmeric. I even prone positioned myself in the mornings for a couple of minutes. 

By the 6-7th day I hit a rough corner, there was a growing loss of appetite and my husband was really concerned for me being so far away. He arranged medical attention for me, for which I was taken to the nearest hospital for about 4 hours then returned to my isolation facility. I was in the Trauma unit and seeing faces again after 6 days and being able to communicate with others was a treat even being in the state I was. I curled up on the Trauma bed wanting to be around people that middle part of the night knowing they were going to ‘sort me out’, as short as my stay was with them. They were my heroes that night. My vitals were all stable, thank God. There was no point in my mind where I ever thought ‘I can’t get through this’. The grace and work 

of God is truly Mighty!!

The next day was an effort to eat and having all the support telephonically just to make sure I ate seemed to really encourage me. My brother stayed on the phone making sure that I was going to eat my meal. A shower seemed to even exhaust me. The IV booster started working and my body was feeling the change later that evening... I was in a room with no sunshine, I could see the outside and see the sunlight. They knocked on the door when the meals arrived. My daily intake was scrambled eggs with chutney or baked beans, with sausage or bacon( I couldn’t eat the meat). There was chicken in various forms almost everyday with rice...I would look for and eat the veg as I was really chickened out...it was too much effort to chew. We had no keys which meant we could not leave the rooms. I forced myself to even eat the now cold food which I just stared at, thinking I’ve got to do this...my family is waiting for me. 

I was strong minded about all of this before it could happen and I was determined to get through it, and really not be defeated by this, having no comorbidities, and considering myself a fairly fit and healthy somebody. By the 9th day things seemed to look brighter. I kept on with my hydration,
gargling with warm salt water, Vick’s inhalation, drank slices 
of ginger with lemon and honey in warm turmeric water and 
started eating whatever was ordered for me by my husband and brother(fruits, soup, chips) to the point I was so hungry one night I ordered pizzas for myself ( me being so against ordering out during this Lockdown!)

It was all downhill from then. 
Tears of joy, pain, relief and all sorts of mixed emotions filled me as I saw the sun for the first time in 12 days, and as we drove away from the isolation facility. 

I was strengthened by scripture and prayers, and a belief that I was going to defeat this. I did. I AM a COVID SURVIVOR.

 Some people still do not understand the seriousness of what this virus can do. I am blessed I had symptoms that were probably milder than what most people go through even though those headaches were indescribable to a point. Many people complicate with shortness of breath and have worse off symptoms...everyone will have a different experience to the virus with their symptoms. Fortunately I 
isolated when I had a suspicion and had been wearing my mask at home as well. 

My regimen was taking my multivitamin, zinc RDA (30-40mg) daily.

 My advice is to eat healthy meals with fresh fruit and 
vegetables. Consume warm fluids : ginger tea, lemon and 
honey and turmeric, or tea.

Stay clean: when you go out to the mall, sanitize your 
hands, carry your own little sanitizer after you touch products handled by someone else, WEAR YOUR MASK AT ALL TIMES, cover your head with a bandanna or cap. Spray your groceries or wipe down the packaging with Degerm. When you come home, keep your shoes outside or create a place to put your shoes, sanitize your shoes before you take them in but leave them close to the door. Have A pair of shoes for the mall/the outside. After you’ve sanitized, go straight to the shower, & wash your hair too, and then wash your clothes. Wash and clean your spectacles. Don’t take a chance.

I unfortunately work in an environment that leaves us all susceptible. Even though I might have antibodies I’m quite capable of being reinfected with a different strain of this virus ( praying to God that’s never going to happen). I have not grown an immunity to it. Every hospital will potentially soon become a COVID hospital, as we have not reached that surge yet. Everyone might eventually get it, some asymptomatic and not even know they have it, just being carriers.

Stay home and be safe so you don’t have to end up in 
hospital, so you don’t have to become another statistic.

Be thankful. Appreciate your life and thank God. Don’t take a single day for granted. Be kind to one another. Nobody is greater than the other. Have respect for each other. Practise random acts of human kindness. Fortunately I didn’t need to be in isolation to feel strongly about these virtues and thoughts in life, it gave me a perspective on how people take each other for granted, take their lives for granted, and will complain about mole hills in their life when others are facing a mountain to get through...fighting for your life to get through a day.

This is not a Stigma. 

People need psychological support at this time, as everyone responds to stresses differently in life. Some people are more positive minded then others and can deal with the loneliness of isolation and the challenges that come with this, others might feel depressed and give up. This is what makes us unique individuals. We need to learn to be more supportive, be more encouraging to those who need our help. 

The Lockdown during this viral pandemic has taught us much about life, about life changes and how we can be 
better humans in life. Let us not forget that. Before you complain, think first. Think about and be thankful for how 
blessed you really are. Don’t doubt the power of prayer,  and scriptural and spiritual nourishment. We serve a MIGHTY God! Prayers carried me through this journey.    Stay blessed and STAY SAFE. God bless you and your family.

🙏

I will not be defeated!!

It’s Day 4 post my positive COVID swab result, and Day 5 in isolation.
I’ve seen better days for sure! I will survive and get through this.
I always believe in having a positive mind (excuse the pun) through whatever challenges you may be faced with. The worst thoughts have entered my mind at my weakest moments feeling as though I have fallen and cannot get out of this abyss. Thankfully it was really short lived. God is great!
I decided to document my symptoms as it’s interesting how everyone experiences the different symptoms, and I believe it can help others in their weak moments, and I hope I can encourage and strengthen their thoughts in some way!

I have been really rigorous about the hand hygiene routine and protocols of maintaining safety during this time. How this came to be, is still mind boggling to me. It’s here and I’m dealing with it.
On the weekend that passed I started feeling a headache that was truly out of this world, as I’m not usually one to even take Panados in a hurry, this time I had no choice. It seemed to have done nothing whatsoever. I experienced terrible chills along with this monstrous headache on Monday morning, and decided I needed to get it checked out. I had a swab taken, and waited anxiously for the results.

It was naturally a shock to me...how on earth??
My fear was my family. I had to make sure they’re safe and I didn’t pass this onto them.
I was taken out of home to isolate away from them. Naturally a heart breaking moment for me leaving my family, but I had to put them first.

The last two days have been a challenge with the niggling headache and an on and off fever.
God has been great as always!! I’m thankful for all His blessings and mercies.
We do take life for granted until we are placed in a helpless spot.

The body aches started yesterday afternoon but I refuse for this virus to claim the better of me. I’ve been forcing myself to eat food that tastes salty or spicy. I do my deep breathing exercises, slept prone for a short while even though I have no respiratory symptoms, thank God! Arnica oil is great!
The showers are rejuvenating for me.
Ive been drinking plentiful fluids to stay hydrated.
Today is definitely a better day , I have the energy to blog. The headache and the aches are not so bad.

I’m nourished by Psalm 91, and feeling the Lords presence through this time. I’m not alone. I feel His healing strength and power daily. Mentally I’m fighting it. I have an amazing family I need to get back to and need to be strong for them, especially my little hero who I miss with all my heart.
I’m blessed with prayers and text messages, and concern for my family.
Having a strong mind, faith and prayer is what will really get you through this!
I’m just counting down the days to return home, praying to feel fitter and better as each day passes. If you know someone going through this, encourage them to be strong, to fight it, not to sleep all the time, exercise and eat well.
We will get through this🙏 I will not let myself be defeated by this!
God bless each of you that reads this 🌹
Taking it one day at a time... ❤️