Well, it was bound to happen. When my husband Mitch received his positive Covid-19 result (detailed in last week’s blog), he moved into the basement. I did not know that an hour after that blog was released, I would find out that I have Covid-19.

Friday, a friend mentioned that I sounded like I had a cold. I brushed her off by saying that I sound like I have a cold every morning. But do I? Was I in denial? My mind raced that day with thoughts ranging from, “Am I clearing my throat too much?”  Am I losing a sense of taste, or is my meal tasteless from lack of spice or poor cooking skills?” “Uh oh, was that a cough?”

Went to Bed Friday Feeling Fine

I went to bed Friday night feeling fine, at least physically. At 3:00 AM, I awoke with slight chills. It terrified me because I suspected the source of my shivers. I did not immediately take my temperature because I was still pretending that perhaps my room was cold. It took an hour before I asked my thermometer about my fever. My thermometer did not reply with good news. My temperature fluctuated and eventually settled on 101. 

Next, I pulled out the pulse-ox, which read 98, OK, that was good. But my heart rate was 145! Fast pulse is what happens when a person who is anxious under normal circumstances realizes her fears have come to fruition. I was panicked, freaked and it was 4 AM, and there was nothing I could do. I started watching, Say Yes to the dress, hoping that Randy would calm me down with his persnickety brides and gowns. It helped, and I finally bored myself back to sleep.

At 9:00 AM, I went for a rapid test and received the positive results about 30 minutes later. Coincidently, I received a call from Erie County that afternoon with the results of a previous PCR test. They congratulated me that I was negative; I replied I am no longer negative.

Since we have “come out” with our revelation that we are positive, we have heard other stories of people who have recovered from Covid-19. Each story is different. There is no formula.

Mitch, who was quarantined in our basement, was finally released to the main living area. We both wear masks and still try to avoid each other. 

I always try to find a silver lining, and the outpour of love, generosity, care, and suggestions have been profound.

WOW!

Our first unexpected surprise was a treat of bagel and lox sent by a kindhearted friend and neighbor. Another friend made us tuna/egg salad and brought bagels and frozen food to our home. Still, another person offered to walk our dogs, brought us food and shared their potato latkes on the first day of Hanukkah! A buddy went shopping and bought us sweets and supplies. We received care packages with homemade soups, baked goods, tissues, hand sanitizers and supplies. A welcomed delivery of ice-cream and toppings along with hopes that I would be able to taste the chocolate! I am learning so much about friendship from this experience.

When her husband was critically ill, my friend Ruth told me don’t ask her what she needs because she will say, “I’m fine” Instead she continued, “Call up and say I am going to the store; give me your list.” Or drop something at the house. I now know firsthand that she was correct. I will try to live up to the meaningful examples of kindness that have come our way and pay it forward when I am able.

(Note to friends and neighbors, this is not a veiled request for supplies – we have more food than we can eat!!!!)  I will be the first recorded case to gain weight during Covid!

Amazon must know I have Covid because yesterday, through medical friends’ recommendations, I ordered Turmeric pills, Mullein drops, Quercetin pills, 325 mg aspirin, and more Zinc. Is it too late? I hope not.

True to form, I have my Covid schedule, which includes a DIY COVID ADVENT calendar minus the treats.   A chart that lists all my vitals and is updated regularly (yes, probably too regularly). I complete breathing exercises twice a day, walk around the house and up and down the stairs, and write.  

I feel like we are the first friends from our circle that contracted Covid. There are many incredulous reactions that we have the virus. 

It is Not About Us; it is About ALL OF US!

I also have had conversations with people suggesting it’s not a big deal. It is a big deal! Most people will be fine, but the small percentage that is not fine is overwhelming our hospitals and first responders. It is not about us; it is about ALL OF US! We need to wear masks and limit interactions with others so we do not spread to people like our daughter Jessica, who is vulnerable. So as not to transmit to the elderly and our friends with co-morbid conditions. These are the folks who will end up overwhelming the hospital and may or may not survive. Yes, 98 percent will be OK, but 2% is a large number. It is not just the flu; it’s different. We do not have hospitals overwhelmed by the flu.

Please wear a mask and social distance, if not for yourself, then for our community’s vulnerable people. We, as a community, should do whatever we can to protect others.

Mitch and I have different Covid-19 symptoms, but we are both doing OK as I write this post. He has a cough and fatigue but as of Thursday was feeling better. I have sinus congestion, mild cough and lost about 90% of taste. We do not have fever (I only had fever on day 1) and our vitals are stable, so far.

After 41 years of marriage, mitch and I now have another notch on our marriage belt—sharing Covid-19. I guess this is what we meant when we said to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health…

Stay safe, Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wash your hands. And send a prayer….