Battle: Covid-19

There I was at home at the end of July 2021 trying to get through this hot ass summer when, after a year and a half into the global pandemic, I became one of Covid-19’s latest victims, along with my husband. Most likely the formidable and highly contagious Delta variant, but my rapid test didn’t provide that detail.

I will tell you right now: the Covid virus is a whole other type of beast.

NASALGATE

The Covid test I took to determine whether I was positive for the virus was not my first one. My first test was taken before I was on a TV set about a month prior and it was not bad at all. Therefore, I was prepared to beast through this next test. But with the way that second swab entered and danced around my nostrils, I’m not positive I didn’t black out. And to top it all off, the results came back positive. Rude.

Symptoms:

  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion & runny nose
  • Have you ever had a hot poker jammed up your nostrils? I hadn’t either, but I’m pretty sure I know what that feels like now
  • Exhaustion
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Loss of taste and smell

I cried when I lost my two senses. I cried when they, thankfully, returned. (There was a lot of Covid crying.) Before they returned, I had a dream about a cheddar biscuit. I never really dream about food like that. When I went to go bite into the delicious morsel, there was just a small piece of cough drop left between my teeth. The heartbreak.

Mmmmm. Cheddar biscuits. Mmmm.

I really missed the taste of food and I thought I’d be more turned off by flavorless food, but I was still inhaling it because my body needed the fuel for recovery. At that point it was just texture, memory, and imagination. However, it was such an unnerving feeling that I was only mentally able to push through by telling myself that it would be temporary. But the loss of control over one’s body can feel debilitating. I tried to focus on keeping up with other aspects of myself, when I had the energy, like washing my face, taking warm showers, and keeping my hair moisturized. Surprisingly, my fingernail growth has never been faster or stronger.

One thing that may be different between Covid patients, but is not talked about as frequently, is the toll this virus can take on one’s stomach. Dehydration and certain medications can lead to constipation, while the virus and other medications can result in diarrhea. This is all due to changes in the intricate balance of bacteria in our intestinal tract that helps us digest food and protects us against illnesses.

So, let’s just say things can get…messy.

Shout out to my big brother who every day, several times a day, checked in regarding my symptoms and temperature. He was my biggest cheerleader to power through and take this virus one day at a time, complete with an array of Rocky Balboa movie gifs.

All in all, I am truly thankful that we are recovering. This virus is no joke. I still can’t help feeling frustrated over the time lost from creating content, photography, networking, etc. But my body needed time to heal, and I had to wrap my mind around symptoms I have never experienced before. I will also never take my senses for granted ever again.

If you or someone you know hasn’t been taking this virus seriously, please reevaluate your mentality. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.” ~Rocky Balboa

Have you tested positive for Covid? What was your experience?