I can’t believe that after almost a year of hiatus from this blog, I’m finally back; just to document my Covid-19 experience. But I gathered the things I learned during isolation with the goal of giving good hope for everyone.
My self-care regime failed me. It was Saturday (Apr 3) when I felt a different kind of light-headedness (of an unusual kind) along with knee joint pains. Those who’ve been following me in my stories know that I’m no stranger to knee sensitivity. Atleast once in a week I put ice on both of my knees to relieve it from all the dancing (online class) and workout I’m regularly doing.
My self-diagnosis that day told me that I was just probably lacking iron in my diet. I was probably anemic. My diet is really more on plants and veggies and reading up on red blood cells tearing up and such while working out, it made sense. Later that day I asked my brother to get me some ferrous sulfate on his way to the drugstore.
But I already knew something wasn’t adding up. I didn’t really have all the anemic symptoms in my internet search. It’s called cyberchondria and I mean don’t we all do this? 😅 But the next day came Sunday (Apr 4) and I felt a little better. I even conducted an online dance class in the afternoon.
I guess what I’m saying is, I did workout everyday since the pandemic (I missed out only on a few days, my story viewers could tell) but it failed/ confused me when it was time to detect the symptoms of the virus.
Our body is wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14) Living at a time when medical research isn’t yet advanced, King David already knew it from long ago. After suffering from a headache that Monday (Apr 5) which was relieved by a paracetamol, I slept with a runny nose that night. I applied some rub on my nasal area before going to bed.
Tuesday morning (Apr 6) and it was gone. My sense of smell was completely gone. I remember not being fearful then. Coz I already felt the panic the night before when after a brief second, I couldn’t smell the rub. I sat bolt upright in my bed. But it immediately came back so I went back to sleep.
Having worked in the fitness industry for a few years now, I very well know the telling signs of our body when something is off. But I couldn’t for the life of me imagine if I didn’t get anosmia that day? I could’ve very well gone with the rest of day resuming normal interaction with my family members (of which there are 3 senior citizens) and thereby exposing them to great risks. 💔 Before lunchtime on the same day, I already made arrangements for quick isolation in my bedroom. I also booked a home service swab test using the Zennya app (which was thankfully available) later that day around 5PM.
So even with mild symptoms, I’m praising and thankful to Jehovah God for how wonderfully our body is made. (Psalms 139:14) While our bodies weren’t originally designed to get sick, it is still nevertheless made in an awe-inspiring way. It allows us to recover on our own and at the same time gives us signals so that we could not only protect ourselves but other’s lives too.
Comfort from the God of all comfort. It was my second time to book a swab using the app (first was for a supposed flight around last December) but the nurse was forthright when she said that with the recent overwhelming cases, it could take time for the results to come out. It was Thursday afternoon (Apr 8) two days after when I got the lab test result; just in time for a midweek Christian meeting. And it couldn’t have come in a perfect timing.
I calmly received the result and forwarded it to my brother. I may be isolated in my room that night but I never truly felt alone. It’s true – the perfect antidote to worry is prayer. But so is Christian gatherings made for strengthening each other and feeling the brotherhood love (Heb 10:24, 25).
Granted, some sites say that one could really get weepy with Covid (also my period came a week early that Tuesday but this is TMI and potential symptom too for women) probably because of the isolation but when we supplicate, we get the peace from the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3). It’s the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:6,7) Somehow I got an answer when my sense of smell returned on this day. My tastebuds have been fine all along.
“And no resident will say: I am sick” The prophecy in Isaiah 33:24 couldn’t be more true to me for the last two weeks. I look forward to the time when ALL kinds of sickness including Covid-19 will be permanently gone on a paradise Earth under God’s kingdom. Death will also be no more as promised in Revelations 21:3,4. What a glorious hope for all of us to look forward to.
Update: Today’s my 15th day since I first felt the symptoms. The doctor advised not to take the test anymore as it could only result to frustration (it will still turn out positive). Except for some rashes around the tummy area and slightly runny nose (also relieved by steam inhalation which I only started last week), I didn’t show any further symptoms. Sadly, two of our family members tested positive too but they seem to be asymptomatic and we’re wishing for it to stay the same until their 14th day this week.
As for how I acquired it, that remains to be a big question since I never really go out of the house (last was Mar. 20 for grocery shopping) or some home delivery (?). Adding to the confusion is the possibility of the other two members getting it first which was passed only to me. But the most important thing is that everyone in the family is healthy, still doing our best to boost our immune system and staying positive at this time.
The pic below was taken after finding out that I was positive. If you’ve reached this far, I’d like to thank you so much for reading and continue to wish for you and your loved ones’ safety. 😊
