Our COVID Chronicle

All of last week is a blur to me now. It's ten days later, and I'm ten pounds lighter. Audrey and I had a relatively "mild" case of Coronavirus, but this is the first day I actually feel like sitting down and catching up with my journal.  

We had both tried so hard to stay well during the pandemic. We did everything you're supposed to do. Not just social distancing and masks. Audrey would even wipe down all the groceries she'd buy before putting them in the pantry or refrigerator.  

My best guess is that I was exposed to it at the hospital when I had my catheterization on January 13. I started with a cough few days later, then Audrey followed with a cough and bad headache. On Friday, January 22, we both had rapid tests at INOVA Urgent Care in Vienna, and the results came back positive.  

I say our symptoms were minor, but I really don't know what the typical situation is supposed to be. We both experienced fever and chills. Lots of congestion and coughing. And extreme fatigue. Because of our age, we both qualified for an "infusion" of a special investigational drug (Bamlanivimab) that had proven somewhat successful in keeping the virus from extending its stay and getting worse. And to greatly lessen the possibility that we would end up with a long stay in the hospital. We were able to get it at the INOVA Covid Clinic in Lorton on Saturday afternoon, January 23. We are grateful that this was available to us, as it seems to have done the trick.  

Our church family has been incredible during all of this. Our excellent staff didn't skip a beat. So many folks brought meals by—lots of chicken soup!—we have certainly not gone hungry. And bouquets of fresh flowers left at our front door, too, have helped to brighten several rooms in our home. Cards and Facebook posts from friends around the world have assured us of love and prayers. We never had to wonder about that.

I think I am basically well now, although still tired. Audrey is coming along a day or two behind, but is still very fatigued. Everyone reminds us that complete recovery takes longer than you think, so to be patient. I hope to gradually resume a regular schedule as this week unfolds. I'm sure my body will let me know exactly how ambitious to be about all of that.

In the meantime—we are both grateful to God to be alive, and thankful to Him for allowing us to live and serve where we do.



Recent

Archive

Categories

no categories

Tags

no tags