MY COVID EXPERIENCE
Bismillah, Alhamdulillah, wa salaatu wa salaam alaa rasulillah
After 25days since I got the first COVID symptoms, I decided to write about my experience.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 started just like every other day. Except I was in my cousin’s house.
To start the day formally, I went to pray in the masjid. I worked overnight, so I had hardly slept.
I decided to complete the report I was working on before going to sleep. All of a sudden, I started having a slight headache, my body was hot. and I realized it was 10am, and I was still on the report, so I decided to go eat and get some rest.
Eating aggravated the headache and introduced nausea.At that point, I knew something was wrong. I used paracetamol and forced myself to finish the food. This was abnormal for a foodie like me, but I decided to rest it out.
I became very restless and had to go to the toilet a few times. The nausea was getting stronger and around noon, I vomited for the first time.
I was scared, I had a feeling of what it was. Fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting. Four Symptoms, One word. CORONAVIRUS.
At this point, my cousin had gone out, so I texted her to get me malaria drugs. I couldn’t tell her or anyone in the house about my situation. I was scared and shy. I tried to sleep, had another toilet visit, I vomited again, and again, until my tummy was empty.
In between, I registered for the COVID test with NIMR on my phone. When my cousin got back, I told her the situation and I cannot remember her reaction. I asked her to make me tea, she argued it was a bad idea, I insisted, She obliged, and it was really a bad idea, I vomited the tea again. She later made pap, and that was the first food I took that day that I did not vomit, by 6pm. I also used the malaria drug.
I reached out to my office doctor, Dr. Obadeyi who was so kind to listen to and counsel me. She called me almost immediately, mentioned that NIMR was overwhelmed and referred me to Mainland Hospital(IDH)
The night went well, I ate a little, watched a little TV with the family and went to sleep.Woke up to use the second dose of my malaria drug, and felt extremely tired.
December 31, 2020: I woke up feeling pains all over my body, I interacted with the family, avoided the children, but still interacted. My cousin and family weren’t “running away” from me, because really, if I had COVID, then by all means, they would all have too, due to the close interactions we had.
I got to IDH and asked around and did what I had to do to get my sample taken. I was feeling better at that point, but the fatigue was still there.
I got back to my cousin’s place, interacted with the family, and sort of locked myself in the room and rested for the remainder of the day.
January 1, 2021: I went back to my house, and continued to rest, isolate and use my drugs and took proper precautions when going out. The body pain and headache were still there, even though they were mild.
January 5, 2021: After speaking with Dr. Wonu prior to help lobby to get my test result, she sent me the result via whatsapp. I was confirmed positive for COVID-19 as at Jan 1st. I sat down and could not move. I expected it, but couldn’t believe it. I felt so ashamed to tell anyone. Being a doctor, she advised me on what to do and expect. I eventually informed my office doctor, Dr. Obadeyi and she advised me, and initiated necessary office protocols. She linked me up with another Doctor at the nearest PHC, where I received further counselling and was able to pick up the Lagos-State-provided COVID Home-care kit for free.
I got necessary personal supplies and prepared to isolate. My condition was not so severe. The only symptoms I had had so far were fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and body pains.
The next few days were difficult, as the body pains got worse, especially my legs. Observing salat was so difficult and I just did the bare minimum. Alhamdulillah, It was not worse than that.
I only told select family members, and even snapped at those telling me “pele”, saying I was not sick, but in reality, I was in severe pain. I confirmed with my cousin and family that they were all feeling great. Surprisingly, none of them developed any symptom or unusual feeling. I informed the dental clinic I went to a day before I got the symptoms and generally tried to stay fit.
I did not have a good appetite and I was too tired to cook, I eventually had to resort to ordering food via Jumia food. I had to go out to get fruits, because I was not eating well and I suffered the consequences of that action for days to come. More severe body pains.
THE HEALING:
Two special friends eventually had to send me fruits, ginger-garlic mixture and stew in the middle of all these.
I started to feel better after Day 11
COVID really tested me physically, mentally and even spiritually. I was extremely weak and I had a lot of thoughts. I tried to get tested after 14days, but was told to wait 21days and continue isolation and observation
HOW IT HAPPENED:
<insert PawPaw meme>
I was able to track my activities prior to my first symptom, but I really cannot say. I wore masks religiously when I was in the public, but admittedly, there were some times I was vulnerable and exposed. It was also much surprising that my cousin and family did not come down with it. The best theory was that they were all asymptomatic, but will we ever know?
THE REALITY:
I am putting this out to inform people and to continue the sensitization and awareness. COVID IS REAL. Obviously. You don’t have to be special or be a social butterfly before you contract it. The second wave is even more ravaging, as we can see from the recent numbers. Anyone can get it regardless of the safety precautions they take. It requires just one instance of exposure( but you should take your safety precautions to reduce the likelihood of getting it). The best ways to keep safe are the simple things that have been preached overtime:
- Stay away from places you don’t have to be
- avoid crowded places with unusual people
- wear a mask
- wash hands frequently
If you eventually get it, early detection and action is key, a good immune system and lifestyle is also key. Rest well,Stay hydrated, and be hopeful, most people survive at the end. Different care procedures have been advised, you should confirm authenticity and suitability with a qualified personnel before adoption.
While we are trying to flatten the curve in the middle of this second wave, We pray to Allah, The Mighty and Sublime to ease our affairs, take this virus from our lands, forgive the dead from amongst us, protect the living and heal the sick.
I leave you with this message of relief. ^_^
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”
Saheeh al-Bukhari