Unfortunately, I became a sad statistic last Friday, April 2nd. I found myself at a Covid-19 testing site. It wasn’t that long ago that I would drive by such a site, and see the cars lined up and wonder just how sick were those people to wait in line for an awful test? Now I was one of those people and I knew just how sick I was to get in my car and drive there.
I came down with symptoms, which I thought were the start of a common cold, on Friday, March 26th.
Scratchy throat and general fatigue had me lay down for a rest on a bright, sunny springtime day.
In the middle of the night, the sore throat worsened and headaches began. I remained in denial about my symptoms for almost a full week. I was convinced it was a sinus cold because the symptoms were exactly the same as the last cold I had in October, 2019.
But when I lost my taste and smell, I had to face the fact that this could very well be more than a cold. I also had one night of mild shortness of breath which did scare me, but it never returned. The first weekend I was quite sick but then rebounded on the Monday at which time I thought I was recovering. Not the case.
It came back hard on Tuesday and by Thursday evening on a zoom call with my girlfriends, it was apparent to them that I likely had Covid. They encouraged me to get a test as soon as possible. I was still on the fence unsure of whether to get the test done. Weighing pros and cons and wondering if I really wanted to know.
The very next morning though, my daughter called me and when I confessed about my ‘cold’ she insisted that I had all the symptoms of Covid and she looked up the testing in my neighborhood and insisted I go. (She is a nurse in training—so no surprise she reacted strongly :)) She reaffirmed what I already knew to be true—the responsible thing to do is to get tested.
So I went. Did the gurgle test at around noon. I signed up to get my results via text message and I received the result less than twelve hours later! POSITIVE.
Note that for my age group, the Pfizer, Maderna and the J & J vaccine are not available yet.
Prior to being tested, I had cancelled two visits with my mother and with my mother in law. Thank goodness. I knew enough to not take a chance in spreading my germs in case I had something more serious than a cold.
My source of infection was untraceable. I had not been to any social events, no ski resorts, no friend visits, no one into my home. I practice hand hygiene, social distancing, and wear a mask in public places.
More and more cases are impossible to trace, according to the public health nurse who was in touch with me. This is due to the Covid variants that are easily transmissible.
If you test positive (in my province of British Columbia) you must self isolate from the onset of symptoms for ten days. The public health ‘pod’ that is assigned to your case determines if you can be removed from self isolation on that final day. They call and ask questions about your symptoms. They explained that the virus is still inside me but that I am no longer contagious but to continue practicing Covid prevention protocol.
The antibodies will be strong in me for 30 days but I can still contract the virus again.
The symptoms can continue for another two weeks but if they persist longer than that, I am to see my GP doctor.
The recovery is not a straight line. It is an up and down process that varies from day to day. This makes the virus extremely frustrating and tricky to understand. With the common cold, you tend to get improvement with each new day. With Covid, you do not. You get one day of feeling pretty good, the next day, you are down with extreme fatigue and headaches.
One day, I feel like myself, the next day, my appetite is low. My taste and smell are only marginally returned as I write this.
As I went on line to read about lingering symptoms or what they are calling ‘long-haul Covid cases’, it scared me. Will I have some of these symptoms for months or years to come? No, I’m jumping to conclusions. I have no secondary health conditions to be concerned with. I have only had the virus for two weeks. So, naturally, it is going to take more time to shake it than a regular flu virus or a cold.
Fact is, I have very little energy compared to my normal levels. I have headaches and less appetite. I sleep a lot and have to lay down two hours after I’ve only begun my day.
The virus has odd effects and has various faces and symptoms that are different for each person. For this reason, do not hesitate to take a test if you are experiencing symptoms. It is better to know for sure and to take necessary precautions against spreading it to others. Most importantly, though, is that you know for yourself and better understand how this virus can compromise your health now and into recovery much later.
It’s true that the testing is inconvenient and the result is even more so if you test positive. Your partner will have to self isolate from you in the same household, for example. But it must be done.
Covid sucks in so many ways but it is also dangerous. Please learn from my denial, a cold is not just a cold anymore. Don’t be afraid to get the test and then take care of yourself as necessary to make a full recovery.
Hopefully my next post will be more uplifting. But I thought it important to share my experience regarding Covid and its effects.
Just a few notes; don’t forget to replace your toothbrush when your symptoms are almost gone. And the public health advice is to get your vaccination as soon as possible—even if you have just had the virus.
Also, I have now made a complete recovery with exception of a bit of fatigue and lingering neck ache (as of April 26th)
Take care of you and your loved ones.
Have you or anyone in your household had Covid-19?
Comments are closed.
Design by ThemeShift.
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
April 23, 2021 at 8:48 pmI’m so sorry to hear that you have been sick and truly hope you are on the mend!!
lisa
April 26, 2021 at 10:54 amHi Marcia, thank you and yes, I’m definitely on the mend now. All better in fact! <3
ShootingStarsMag
April 15, 2021 at 5:24 amOh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear this. Me, my sister, and my parents all got Covid in January. Honestly, for awhile, it felt like allergies then a cold and then strep. A friend told me she knew friends who thought they had strep and it was Covid so I was tested for strep, Covid, and the flu and it was Covid. We all had varying symptoms. I was tired a lot for sure and that lingers. I had blood clots in my lungs last year so I was worried about getting Covid but thankfully I’m not doing too bad. The chest pains/breathing issues didn’t meet up with how bad it was last year, so at least there’s that. LOL I hope you feel better soon!!!
Lauren
lisa
April 15, 2021 at 3:24 pmYeah, it sucks. Sorry to hear you had it and it went through your family! Interesting. My scratchy throat didn’t get too bad but the headaches were awful. I thought I had a sinus cold. It’s sneaky, isn’t it? Good to hear your lungs remain healthy. It’s quite scary. Good to hear you’re on the mend, too, Lauren. Thanks for coming over 🙂
Joyce
April 14, 2021 at 7:49 pmI’m so sorry this happened to you! ❤️
lisa
April 14, 2021 at 8:33 pmWah, I’m trying not to feel sorry for myself. I’m doing better so far. Thanks, Joyce 🙂 <3
LA CONTESSA
April 12, 2021 at 8:46 amLOVE THAT PHOTO OF YOU!
NO, to answer your question but my neighbor died from it!
NO VACCINES YET FOR YOU ALL ABOVE US?I HOPE THAT COMES SOON.I get my second shot on the 30th……….
THANK YOU for writing about your symptoms I found it VERY HELPFUL!
XXX
lisa
April 12, 2021 at 9:26 amThank you, LA CONTESSA. That’s me pre-Covid lol. Oh my gosh! Was your neighbor elderly?
Well, not exactly. The elderly age group here have gotten two shots of the Pfizer. The front line workers and health care people have all gotten the Pfizer shots as well. Currently it is 65+ who are eligible for the Pfizer. My age group (55+) can get the Astra Zeneca (I have no clue whether that is spelled right) but it has side effect of blood clots. I’m going to wait longer to get the Pfizer or Moderna or JJ if it becomes available. Problem is, we’re not sure when that will be for our age group.
Good to hear you’re lined up for your second shot!
glad to hear this was helpful as I hoped to enlighten anyone who is curious or maybe experiencing symptoms. I don’t like to write about my health normally but this seemed like an important topic.
LA CONTESSA
April 12, 2021 at 2:34 pmYES, elderly but was in good shape had to go in for surgery and ended up in REHAB spot where she came down with it!SHE DIDNOT WANT TO GO THERE BUT THE DAUGHTER INSISTED!!
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE GUILT SHE HAS NOW………..
lisa
April 13, 2021 at 8:43 amOh, no! That is tragic. Guilt, no doubt!
Tamara
April 11, 2021 at 11:28 amOhh, I’m so sorry! So, so sorry. I’ve heard of lots of people getting it, but I haven’t heard of untraceable cases with them. That’s scary!
My mother-in-law got it in Florida and described it like you said. Not a linear virus – just a lot of up and downs and cherishing two good days in a row. She was like this for two months and really thought she was a long hauler but I think after she got two doses of Pfizer, lingering symptoms went away. I’ve heard that can happen.
I am 24 hours post dose 1, and looking forward to dose 2 in three weeks. MA was really slow with vaccines but finally caught up with the program during the last two weeks.
Feel better!
lisa
April 11, 2021 at 12:17 pmThank you, Tamara. I know, I really didn’t want to be a statistic but here I am 😛 Yes, the health nurse said they’re getting tons of these untraceable cases now. It is scary. We try to do everything right but it is a sneaky virus. I’m sorry to hear your MIL got it. Indeed it sounds like a similar experience to mine although I’m still early in recovery. Glad she got her vaccine and that helped eradicate those lingering symptoms! Good you got your too! And the second shot in a timely manner. We’re not doing such a great job of it here in Canada but I guess we didn’t make the vaccine. Hope to get vaccinated within a few months!
Marie Kléber
April 11, 2021 at 12:45 amGlad to read you’re feeling a bit better Lisa and that you’re on the recovery path too.
This virus is such a nightmare. Many people from work got it and they said it was harsh.
Take care of yourself and hopefully we’ll soon read that you’re back to full health and energy.
lisa
April 11, 2021 at 12:13 pmThank you, Marie. Definitely on the recovery path! It really is. It’s unpredictable. Yes, I hope so. Looking good now. Stay healthy, Marie. Good to hear you didn’t catch it from co-workers. Hugs.
Balroop Singh
April 10, 2021 at 7:09 pmLisa, I have been thinking of you as I didn’t see you around anywhere. I thought you are celebrating spring but it is sad that this Covid monster reached you. I hope you are feeling better. Take care. Wishing you all the best. My healing hugs are quite safe. 🙂
lisa
April 11, 2021 at 12:11 pmThank you, Balroop 🙂 Yeah, just when I wanted to celebrate Spring, no. Damn Covid. I am definitely feeling better. My taste and smell are still lacking but there’s a hint of their return. I could smell the coffee brewing this morning (a bit). Aw, thank you for your healing hugs. Sure appreciate it. I hope to get more active on social and blogging in the next few weeks. 😛
Handyman cheap Services
April 10, 2021 at 1:43 pmI am glad you’re better. God Bless you,
lisa
April 10, 2021 at 5:34 pmThank you.
Ellen M. Gregg
April 10, 2021 at 10:32 amBless you, Lisa! Here’s to brighter days.
lisa
April 10, 2021 at 12:00 pmThank you, Ellen. Indeed, looking forward to brighter days, for sure!
Jeff
April 10, 2021 at 10:01 amI am glad you’re better. I have my second Modern vaccine this Tuesday, but here they just opened it up for most everyone over 18, so my wife and daughter got the J&J yesterday.
lisa
April 10, 2021 at 12:00 pmThanks, Jeff. Lucky you. So good you guys are getting vaccinated in a timely way. We’re S L O W up here in wild Canada lol. Is it Maderna you got?