INSIGHT Magazine Special Home Edition April 2020 | Page 8

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) KNOWLEDGE
March 13, 2020 - O2 saturation begins to
decline, oxygen increased to 2 lpm, then
3 lpm, then 5 lpm. Oxygen saturation 88%
on 5 lpm. The decision is made to use high
flow (vapotherm) and move to ICU. Placed
on 40 lpm and 60% oxygen. I’m terrified at
this point because vapotherm is all that is
standing between me and the ventilator.
This is the moment I would have died at
home had I not come to the hospital when I
did. I would have respiratory arrested in my
bed.
March 14, 2020 - I have a bad coughing
spell, my oxygen saturation drops to the
80’s. I’m still on 40 lpm and 60%. I’m trying
to gasp for air, but because of the condition
of my lungs, can only take small breaths
without coughing more. I feel as though
I’m about to die, my heart is racing, oxygen
still low, and I’m sweating profusely. Im in
respiratory distress! I pressed my call light
trying to get the attention of anyone who
can help. My nurse was in another room
tending to another sick patient. Fortunately
he sees me and comes to my room. I am
now on 40 lpm and 100% oxygen, next step
is the ventilator. I’m terrified. My breathing
slows as my oxygen saturation slowly returns
to the 90’s. I’m weaned back down to 60%.
The same thing happens again in the night,
and again I thought I was about to leave
this world. Again I’m on 100%, this time for
several hours. I’m slowly weaned again to
60%.
March 15, 2020 - My morning arterial blood
gas is normal. I get weaned to 50%.
March 16, 2020 - My oxygen saturation is
97%, I’m weaned further to 30 lpm and 40%.
INSIGHT

March 17, 2020 - I’ve been in ICU 4 days,
forced to use a bedpan because my oxygen
saturation drops if I turn or even move
too much. I am unable to clean myself;
I’m feeling completely helpless and so
embarrassed, but my nurses were great and
very understanding. I now truly understand
my patients’ feelings from all these years of
nursing. I’m weaned to 25 lpm and 30%. I’m
going to the medical floor.
March 18, 2020 - I’m weaned to 28%. I can
achieve 1500 on my incentive spirometer
finally. I’m hopeful to be weaned to a regular
nasal cannula. The provider comes in. I’ve
been waiting for my swab results. I tested
positive for COVID19...6.5 days of waiting
for the outside lab to process the lab. I’m
relieved because I finally have a diagnosis, a
reason I’ve been so sick. I’m weaned to 4 lpm
on a regular nasal cannula, 4 hours later I’m
weaned to 2 lpm. 4 hours later I’m weaned
to room air. My oxygen saturation stats 93%
and above all night.
March 19, 2020 - As I write this, I’m waiting
to attempt a 6 minute walk test to see if
my oxygen stays up, so I can go home. I’ve
had no visitors this entire time due to my
isolation precautions.
Guys, this is why social isolation is a thing.
As a 31 y.o., I wasn’t supposed to get sick.
I wasn’t supposed to be admitted to the
hospital or the ICU for that matter. We’ve
already had several deaths from COVID19 in
this area. I thank God I wasn’t one of them!
However, many won’t be as fortunate as I
have been. Many will die, especially those
with any lung or heart problems. So please, I
beg you to #stayhome.
April 2020 – Special Home Edition 9