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i know there's a lot of fear today, but (if it's helpful) here's how covid has been for me.
I'm 34/m, relatively fit. Don't smoke. Haven't had a drink for the last 3+ mos.
I have some mild pollution-induced asthma (thanks London air!)
No major pre-existing conditions.
I'm 34/m, relatively fit. Don't smoke. Haven't had a drink for the last 3+ mos.
I have some mild pollution-induced asthma (thanks London air!)
No major pre-existing conditions.
Symptoms started the 19th. Took a test that (eventually) came back positive.
First week was about the fatigue & brain fog. Sat in bed all day. Exhausted. Brain filled with cotton balls.
Felt like a shopfront window that looks normal but but there's nothing behind the counter.
First week was about the fatigue & brain fog. Sat in bed all day. Exhausted. Brain filled with cotton balls.
Felt like a shopfront window that looks normal but but there's nothing behind the counter.
Week two was when it got weird. The cough amped up to 11. Leaving the bed was impossible.
I did the breathing exercises, proning and lung clearing.
Fever showed up each night in a Jekyll/Hyde double-act. O2 levels dipped below 92 regularly.
Not great.
I did the breathing exercises, proning and lung clearing.
Fever showed up each night in a Jekyll/Hyde double-act. O2 levels dipped below 92 regularly.
Not great.
I am lucky.
I have a wonderful & intelligent partner who waited on me hand & foot.
I have an amazing brother who is an A&E doctor & answered any question I might have.
But, this virus is scary and it is so hard to know when it has turned bad.
I have a wonderful & intelligent partner who waited on me hand & foot.
I have an amazing brother who is an A&E doctor & answered any question I might have.
But, this virus is scary and it is so hard to know when it has turned bad.
We know early intervention can help bad cases, but no one wants to stretch A&E.
So we spent hours with 111. We were told the local COVID support unit had been closed for Christmas. My brother got more questions.
So we spent hours with 111. We were told the local COVID support unit had been closed for Christmas. My brother got more questions.
On the 31st, my GP finally got my readings & told me to head to A&E ASAP.
I got blood tests, chest x-rays and offers to sing 'happy birthday' from the kindest A&E nurses & orderlies despite the hospital being at 100% capacity.
I got blood tests, chest x-rays and offers to sing 'happy birthday' from the kindest A&E nurses & orderlies despite the hospital being at 100% capacity.
I was stuck in a kids room triggering Lion King/Always Sunny flashbacks while I waited to find out whether I had bacterial pneumonia or some other complication.
I didn't. It was just a bad case of COVID.
I didn't. It was just a bad case of COVID.
Lungs inflamed & a bad fever.
Asked the doc,
"when should I be worried if I'm still running a fever?"
Told me he was still treating patients who had been running a fever for months.
Wonderful.
Asked the doc,
"when should I be worried if I'm still running a fever?"
Told me he was still treating patients who had been running a fever for months.
Wonderful.
Fast-forward a few more days and miserable nights.
Temperature finally stays down for 24 hours without paracetamol.
Yesterday, I can leave isolation. It feels like Christmas morning.
Temperature finally stays down for 24 hours without paracetamol.
Yesterday, I can leave isolation. It feels like Christmas morning.
I spent yesterday passed out on the sofa.
I am exhausted. I still get coughing fits. I feel old.
But I cannot tell you how good it is to be around people, to get a hug, to hold the doggo.
I am exhausted. I still get coughing fits. I feel old.
But I cannot tell you how good it is to be around people, to get a hug, to hold the doggo.
I owe so much to my wonderful partner who has carried so much. Not everyone walks this road with someone else.
Even having her support, the isolation and separation is miserable. I think of the single parents, the elderly, the people fighting this on their own.
Even having her support, the isolation and separation is miserable. I think of the single parents, the elderly, the people fighting this on their own.
Today, I woke up feeling like I could partially think for the first time since the 19th.
I can't tell you what that feels like. I'm still terrified of what might have happened to my lungs or body, but I am grateful for today.
I can't tell you what that feels like. I'm still terrified of what might have happened to my lungs or body, but I am grateful for today.
It has been a hard year, but please stay safe. It's not worth risking it.
Only one person dies in Russian Roulette but it's still stupid to pull the trigger.
Only one person dies in Russian Roulette but it's still stupid to pull the trigger.
Finished: (this might be more cathartic than helpful)
PS:
Get a good thermometer. Get an pulse ox to measure o2, make sure it shows the waveform.
PS:
Get a good thermometer. Get an pulse ox to measure o2, make sure it shows the waveform.
