worsened, and this dry cough appeared.
I quarantined myself at home. I was optimistic
because I really didn’t feel THAT bad initially, and I
still didn’t have a fever. But I made an appointment
to be tested and anxiously waited for my results.
My results came back positive around the
same time that my symptoms really worsened.
The muscle aches and fatigue hit. I was having to
stay in bed and rest around the clock. My cough
fortunately turned more productive. But I was sick.
My nose was not stopped up at all, but when I
went to drink a sip of coffee one morning, I realized
I couldn’t smell it at all. I was having to sleep on
two or three pillows a night to rest comfortably.
I wish that I could say that I got sick because I was
working on a unit in the hospital that was flooded
with symptomatic COVID patients, or that it was
because I didn’t wear my PPE, or because I wasn’t
being “careful”... but that was not the case for me.
Did I catch it when I came home to the lake
house, and stopped at the gas station to fill up?
Or when I went to buy groceries for my dad? Or
maybe in the elevator on the way to or from my
unit? Or from a coworker who wasn’t showing
symptoms? There’s absolutely no way to tell.
It’s been hard not being at work honestly. I feel
helpless knowing that my coworkers are out there,
continuing to fight this monster that is COVID and
that I cannot be there with them. It’s hard knowing
that right now, I can’t be there for the ICU patient
that needs me. Keep your families and your friends
safe. We all want to get through this safely. Say a little
prayer for your healthcare workers right now, because
they’re tired guys. But most importantly, take care
14 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE
of yourselves and practice your social distancing.
Update: it’s been 3 weeks since my symptoms
started, and I’m just now able to get back to work.
My energy levels are still diminished. My sense
of taste and smell have not yet returned. But I
am officially stepping back into the world!