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I just recovered from COVID-19 for the third time.
My journey with COVID began in March of 2020. My father developed respiratory symptoms after an extended stay in the hospital for rehab. He was 65 and he had never had respiratory issues a day in his life. Doctors worked to come up with an answer as to what was happening, but they could only say they had no answers other than Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). According to the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is "a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood." It can be caused by many different things, including pneumonia, chest trauma and, of course, COVID-19.
My father passed away at the age of 65 on March 12, 2020, the day before the world shut down from COVID. At that time, we were not testing here in Lycoming County; it was later speculated that my father could have been the first known case of COVID in our community. The trauma of watching my father being awake and alert yet smothering in his own body will forever haunt me. I hope that no one ever has to experience what my family and I did.
After watching my father suffer, I knew that any chance I got I would try to protect myself and others from COVID. As a nurse in the community, I am cautious and I am vaccinated. Being a nurse, I choose to get vaccinated to protect not only myself but the people I care for. I wear a mask at work and have limited contact with people who are not wearing a mask. I don't go to stores often or restaurants.
I have had COVID three times. This time was the worst. My first time with COVID I had very slight symptoms such as headaches and sinus symptoms. My second time having COVID was worse than the first. I had a severe sore throat to the point of feeling like I was swallowing glass. At that time, I had an upcoming surgery that I had been waiting months for and I was desperate to recover quickly so I wouldn't have to postpone my procedure. I spoke to my doctor, who recommended Paxlovid. I started Paxlovid immediately and my symptoms lasted about 5 days.
This past February I had what I thought was starting as a sinus infection, but by day 3 of the symptoms they had progressed, and I tested positive for COVID. My symptoms included shortness of breath, severe sore throat, nonstop headache, body aches, and sinus issues. I spent days in bed, only being able to get up for short periods of time. I had symptoms for about 15 days.
This time with COVID I did not take Paxlovid, but I wish I had because the symptoms lasted three times as long and were much more severe. This was the first time with COVID that I had any respiratory symptoms that made me feel like I was smothering in my own body. I could not imagine being elderly or a person with a disability and going through COVID like I did.
Should I get COVID a fourth time I will contact my doctor to get Paxlovid, because without it this time I felt like I wanted to die.
As a community we need to do better. We can reduce the rate of spreading COVID by doing simple things such as staying home when sick, masking, and testing. At-home COVID tests are a great tool to use when feeling ill or before going to a gathering.
If you're sick or have symptoms, don't go around loved ones. COVID might be temporary for you, but it may cost your loved one their life, or burden them with long COVID.
Yes, despite being cautious I still got COVID, but there are things we can do to decrease the chances of hospitalization or death. Right now, COVID levels in the community are low, but COVID is sure to come back. When it does, we must be ready to protect ourselves and others.
Jodie Baney, MSN RN is Director of Programs and Services, Roads to Freedom – Center for Independent Living and part of Let's end COVID!, a group of concerned people in Northcentral PA working to overcome COVID19 through education, outreach and mitigation.