Covid scare #3 - our experience!

Hello everyone,

I hope and pray that when you read this post, you are keeping safe and healthy. Please, please, please - WEAR YOUR MASKS, wash your hands and don't touch your faces!!! Do your part in helping STOP the spread of Covid-19!

I feel compelled to share what the past few days have been like in our family. I hope it sensitizes you to the current pandemic that is STILL ONGOING!!

All of last week, both my husband and I have been complaining of being more tired than usual. We both shrugged it off as we do have three small children under the age of three. We also knew that we had worked a lot and were going to bed later than we should have been.

However, all changed on Friday night... I heard my husband going to the bathroom.  When he came back, he collapsed on top of me in bed. At first, I thought he had tripped on something.  I tapped him on the shoulder to get up - he responded but was not moving. I asked if he was sick and he replied he was not. I tried to get him to move - but to no avail. I then got off from under him and kept a watch on him. A couple of hours later, he got up and went to his place in bed.

When we woke up the next morning, we both acknowledged that his behavior was odd - very odd. We started to retrace our week and it was clear that something was wrong. We got on the phone and scheduled an appointment to get tested for Covid-19. 

Going through this with my husband reassured me. I feared having something shoved up my nostril - yet, I do have a high tolerance for this type of thing. It was over before I knew it. We went back home and quarantined until we got our results.

Within hours of coming home, he cough got worse and his breathing was off. He was immensely tired and just wanted to lie down. Unfortunately, we had the kids and I was not feeling that great either. However, I am convinced that God was sparing me. I went into full action mode and started cooking up a storm. I knew we needed the nourishments. On Sunday night, I was convinced that he would have to go to the hospital. He was having a hard time breathing and was getting tired doing nothing.

The image of having to say goodbye to him via text were seriously filling my head. But, I held on and strong. However, sharp pain was being felt all on my left side. We still did not have our results, and we were already so sick. Was I to expect having a blood clot? Was this why I was in such pain? How could that be? We are both under the age of fifty and healthy!

On Monday, we got our results. We tested negative for Covid-19 and, honestly, had mixed feelings. We had them because we were shocked at how sick we both were and yet, it was another virus we were sick with. We also knew that we had been spared this time - but will we be spared again? It was my first time, but it was my husband's third. 

Strangely, we also found a new respect for Covid-19. A sort of respect that left us in both awe and fear of this virus. If we were both sick in this way, and it was not Covid, we could only imagine how Covid is far worse than we had expected. We also thought we were being so careful, but having people not wear their masks put us at risk. We then prayed and thanked God that it was another virus.

My husband is still on the mend - his breathing is stable, but he cannot go into work all of this week. As for me, I got shingles from al the fatigue and stress that emerged from this experience. My pains is unbearable, at times, but I am on day 3 of my 7 day regimen and I am hoping it will get better within about two weeks. Each time it hurts, I think of someone having a hard time breathing - like my husband. I offer it up and keep myself distracted.

Our nanny came back today as we were not wanting her to get sick - she has been a true blessing! I was able to take a shower and, today, the water did not hurt my rash - which, by the way, is about the size of a quarter. I feel lucky that it did not spread more and I am enduring the pain because I know that things could have gotten far worse.

If you are not wearing a mask, you are being selfish. If you think the numbers are inflated and this is all a conspiracy, I dare you to go into the hospitals and see the devastation of Covid-19. I dare you to go into a hospital in Florida and not wear a mask... Yeah, I doubt you would see Covid-19 the same way.

Because of this experience, my husband has complained about patients removing their masks when waiting for him to come in. As another doctor got sick as well, face shields will be required now for them all. 

This pandemic is real. People have died and more people will die. Every day, hospital workers are one step closer to getting Covid-19 because someone refuses to wear a mask. Every day, these same hospital workers, expose their families to Covid-19, even if they take all the necessary precautions. Flu season is a but a few weeks away and it will make Covid-19 a fierce competitor. 

Wear a mask - don't be selfish. You think it sucks that you can't go where you want? Guess what? Those hospital workers don't want to be there - but that is their job and they have chosen to serve and help those who are sick.

Just like everything else, this too shall pass. This time, our family was spared. Maybe we won't be as lucky next time, but today, I am grateful for my shingles - yes, grateful! I am grateful that I got to live another day and see my kids. By the way, our two older kids caught what we had - they are finally better, but had it been Covid-19 - who knows?

Wear a mask - wash your hands - don't touch your face - don't go somewhere unless it is necessary!!! You can wait to do all the things you used to do. You can and you should. Be responsible and do your part to help prevent the spread of Covid-19!

Until my next post, keep safe and healthy.

SM