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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI have had COVID-19
Last edited Wed May 27, 2020, 07:19 PM - Edit history (1)
I have been meaning to write about this, but have been busy with other stuff. Also didn't want to write about it because I was still processing what the future maybe like internally.
Please take it seriously. I am one of the very lucky ones. I didn't have to be hospitalized and I am still kicking to tell about it. In early February, I got very, very sick. (At that time didn't know what it was) I would wake up with the sheets literally dripping wet from sweat, I would make towels wet from my nose dripping. I could hardly swallow, my body ached and I would have to wash the crust from my eyes, with a warm wet wash cloth each morning to be able to see. This went on for about 10 days. Since then I have had kidney and breathing problems.
I found out because in March others got sick and I went and got tested and was also tested for antigens (antibodies) and came back positive.
Because I sing, speak and teach all over the nation for my work, I use my voice (lung power). I now have a minimum of 18 months of voice rehab and also life long monitoring of my kidneys.
Like I said, take it very seriously!!! And like I said, I am one of the truly lucky ones...please take a moment to think of healing thoughts for those still recovering and also prayerful consoling wishes to those who have lost ones in whom they were in community with!
Thanks,
Mike C
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Doodley
(9,012 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)ZenDem
(442 posts)...I'm glad you're here to tell us your story.
The long-term...that's what we're not hearing enough about. These morons that post 'how many have RECOVERED...' don't get it. Recovering from the virus is one step. For many, like you, there are long-term, potentially lifelong, effects.
Take care of yourself. So glad that you're 'okay'.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)ProfessorGAC
(64,789 posts)That's a pretty bad case considering you were able to stay out of the hospital.
The kidney aspect is scary!
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Cha
(296,679 posts)still going through, Mike.
Do you know how you could have gotten the CV?
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)right when that happened I flew from Seattle-Las Vegas-Indianapolis-Ft Wayne-Chicago-Washington National-Atlanta-Charleston SC-FW and back to Seattle in 11 days, I also had a couple of huge appearances with any where from 300-4000 folks
Cha
(296,679 posts)teach all over the nation.
Best of healing energy to fully recover!
Hekate
(90,496 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Lonestarblue
(9,958 posts)Thank you for sharing. Your story is a good reminder for all of us that we just dont know how we might respond to the virus. As a senior, Ive been very careful and I will continue to do so. Ill think of your story every time I get tired of staying home and just long to get out in public. Just too risky yet.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)I wish you all the best and continued recovery and strength. Please take care of yourself.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Alex4Martinez
(2,191 posts)You fucking ROCK!
We need your voice (ha ha) and your spirit!
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,890 posts)wendyb-NC
(3,294 posts)Glad you made it out the other side. Thanks for posting your experience having Covid-19. It sounds like a dreadful experience, that hung on for quite a spell. Glad you are better. Sending that the residual effects are remedied, without lasting damage.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)LaMouffette
(2,016 posts)to hit the airwaves with public service announcements and explain exactly what you all have been through and are still experiencing until the Covid-19 deniers get it through their thick skulls and are no longer of the opinion "Oh, well! If I get it, I get it!"
I'm very glad that you survived!
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)TY for sharing your e xxperience & healing vibes to you!
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)LiberalArkie
(15,703 posts)Non had to go to the hospital and all are back at work, just feeling weak. We may be lucking in Arkansas with the warm weather and high humidity. A few more weeks may tell. But IU think if it had hit up in October or November like the flu, it would have been terrible.
I am 72 so I take it very seriously, I had emergency carotid artery surgery during all of it on April 27. Still scares me just to think about it.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)LiberalArkie
(15,703 posts)Being in a hospital during a pandemic did not seem to me a healthy way to stay well. But I am generally lucking like that, I figure I will go for a check and someone will cough a humongous viral load in my face. I wear my mask and keep a bottle on Germ-x in my pocket and a squirt bottle of 95% rubbing alcohol in my pocket also. Not paranoid, just prepared.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)It pisses me off when I meet people who refuse to wear a mask, when people tell me it's just an aggravated flu...let me tell you, I have never had residual effects from the flu after I have had it...it pisses me off when I hear folks say it's a hoax and it deeply troubles me when elected officials value the economy over lives
brer cat
(24,502 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)tblue37
(65,206 posts)the initial illness.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,652 posts)Karadeniz
(22,445 posts)I guess you've begun lung rehab...all the best with that!❤
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)winetourdriver01
(1,154 posts)I caught it in late January along with my two house mates. Since then I've had kidney and breathing issues, so there was obviously damage to those organs. Who t/f knows what's next.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)to go through that where do you live do you know where you caught it?
winetourdriver01
(1,154 posts)I live in San Francisco. At the time (early this year) I was living in an apartment with two housemates. One of us brought it home, and all caught it. We didn't know what it was at the time, just that it was unlike it was anything we had ever had before. I've had kidney problems, which were incredibly painful, one of the others is having lung pain. The other doesn't live here anymore, but I'm trying to find out how he is doing.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)I have to be in San Jose on June 29-July 2
lunatica
(53,410 posts)One of the things that no one seems to be talking about very much is how it affects your health after you recover and for the rest of your life. 6 years ago I was given ciprofloxin for a severe case of UTI. Cipro has very bad side effects that cause permanent damage which doctors ignore even now. It damaged the tendons in my body permanently.
I fear that this virus does the same in the long term after effects. I hope your recover is complete with no permanent damage.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)I am so sorry to hear that that has happened to you
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I would have perfect health. It isnt technically a sickness, so Im still in perfect health, but I certainly have mobility issues! It pisses me off a lot.
womanofthehills
(8,647 posts)He has trouble walking since taking Cipro.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)It ruins your life. A lot of people think its like having sore muscles and that if you exercise you can get rid of it. Its hard to get people to understand that the worst thing you can do to tendons is force them to work. All that does is hurt them worse. You have to know and respect your limitations.
Fla Dem
(23,542 posts)This is what a lot of people dont understand. People may recover from covid19, but it wrecks havoc on the body. Maybe in some cases not so much, but Ive read stories about people who have so many complications after they recover. Complications which may stay with them for the rest of their lives.
I hope you stay well and continue to get stronger.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)luvtheGWN
(1,336 posts)"pre-existing condition".
Our stats here up in Canada don't refer to "recovered" but rather, to "resolved". In other words, those patients no longer are considered acute. But when discussing any illness or disorder, the opposite of "acute" is "chronic".
Covid-19 may have very long-lasting effects -- not just on those afflicted, but on the healthcare system in general.
MLAA
(17,230 posts)Best wishes for a strong voice recovery
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)canetoad
(17,129 posts)It's a nasty little critter. Thanks for the information, best wishes for your continuing recovery.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)gademocrat7
(10,640 posts)Take care.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Tech
(1,769 posts)venturing out, even those who post here. Take care of yourself.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)cate94
(2,807 posts)I hope you heal completely.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Maeve
(42,269 posts)And do take care of yourself, now!
Hubby has a client who had it--rough couple of days, no biggie. But his wife was bed-ridden for more than two weeks, literally crawling to the bathroom and sleeping almost all of the rest of the time. No way to tell which group you'll end up in (and they both consider themselves lucky to have come thru it)
oldsoftie
(12,480 posts)lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)and scary as shit to boot. Thank god you have mostly recovered, and are on the road (hope) to renewed health.
And this is why I am holed up in a one bedroom apartment, reminding myself daily that at almost 73 years of age, it's just not worth taking chances.
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)Son and DIL are near by. Thanks for asking.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)check on you...to me, you are vulnerable and need some one near by you can call on!!! Stay safe-Mike C
lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)are a dear.
appalachiablue
(41,102 posts)continued recovery and good health. You went through so much and are a survivor, Mike C. ~ Best.
Alliepoo
(2,208 posts)What a horrible ordeal. Im very glad youre doing better-wishing you a complete recovery. Sending you lots of good vibes!! Take good care of you!!
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(11,577 posts)I hope that the side effects aren't permanent.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)ancianita
(35,899 posts)Thank you for sharing this.
Everyone should hear you loud and clear. I'm going to remember you when I feel tempted to socialize with anyone, even family (who very much want to visit from Chicago).
I hope you are among the many whose healing beats the prognosis.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)safeinOhio
(32,623 posts)Your story is important to all of us
Get well soon.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,727 posts)It's a scary disease and I'm happy to hear that you came through it without being hospitalized.
Five family members have had it, but they were mild cases and everyone has fully recovered without any lingering health issues. They range in age from 56 to 19 and are in two households. Each had kids living in the house who did not get sick.
Best of luck to you.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)glad to hear you are getting better
greatauntoftriplets
(175,727 posts)My niece, nephew, and their spouses, plus one great-niece. I've been holed up at home.
Maru Kitteh
(28,313 posts)Best wishes on your continuing recovery.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)niyad
(112,948 posts)Healing energies headed your way for a complete recovery. Please take very good care of yourself.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Chicagogrl1
(417 posts)Glad you came out the other side. I just wish everyone would take this more seriously. Wishing you the best 🍀 on your recovery.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)BTW I absolutely love Chicago I lived there for a year, in fact I learned to drive there.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Upthevibe
(8,000 posts)......Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
peacebuzzard
(5,142 posts)Thank you for sharing this personal challenge. I am glad you have recovered, and am sorry for the lingering illness. Best wishes for a full return to health.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)DFW
(54,255 posts)Most people who get COVID-19 do survive, but a great many of them have long-term or permanent damage. This is not a common cold where a week later, you can run the marathon.
A close colleague of mine next door in Belgium had it, and after being hospitalized with supplemental oxygen for a week, he was released, but still couldn't walk ten meters without needing to rest. Even now, almost two months later, he can't walk short distances without needing to catch his breath, and his doctors said expect to not be fully functional for somewhere from 9 to 18 months, if ever.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)DFW
(54,255 posts)Last edited Thu May 28, 2020, 01:29 PM - Edit history (1)
He has sort of a desk job, and doesn't have to travel much, although he does live out near Waterloo, and has to come into downtown Brussels every day. But at least he's functional. He was spared a ventilator, but did need supplemental oxygen round the clock for a week. Even with all the medical advances of the last century, this virus is just too new, unpredictable and severe to be designated anywhere near under control. Europeans look at scenes like the Lake of the Ozarks weekend or the Megachurches and just shake their heads in wonder.
Demovictory9
(32,411 posts)roamer65
(36,744 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Texin
(2,588 posts)This virus has been circulating since early November in Italy and Southern CA since late November. There aren't really effective tests of this virus in any sense anywhere at this junction so we need EACH of us to protect ourselves now uttermost.
Niagara
(7,544 posts)I believe that all of us on DU are taking Covid-19 seriously. I'm so sorry that you had to go through awful situation.
Would you say that you were constantly feeling awful or did you have ups and downs during the entire illness? I ask because some people said they were really sick, than felt better and got really sick again.
I hope that you're feeling back to your normal self.
Hugs.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)I felt horrible for about 9 days straight, felt better in increments slowly for days still not at 100 percent
Niagara
(7,544 posts)I'm sorry to hear that you're not at 100% yet. Sending healing vibes and wishes for a quick recovery.
Rhiannon12866
(204,486 posts)I am so sorry to hear this, but thank you so much for sharing your experience - it makes this more real for all of us, knowing that "one of us" is going through it. Please take excellent care of yourself, know that all of DU's powerful healing vibes are headed your way and please let us know how you're doing...
pnwmom
(108,950 posts)which was plenty bad enough! Here's for a full recovery of your voice and your kidneys.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)SleeplessinSoCal
(9,079 posts)N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,651 posts)A great outlook on things even if just acted out can make you feel better. Been there... not Covid but medical problems.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,227 posts)Hope you keep healing and make a full recovery!
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Ilsa
(61,687 posts)With this, and that it has also affected your career, your vocation, as well as your health. I hope a dietician is also working with you to help your kidneys function better, or at least not get worse.
My prayers are with you and those across the world suffering and grieving.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Thekaspervote
(32,682 posts)gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)calimary
(81,044 posts)It's amazing how the virus affects more of the body than just what you'd assume, with a respiratory disease.
We've sheltered in place for what is now 81 days.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)stay safe.... I start back to work on June 29 I fly to San Jose
tavernier
(12,363 posts)Your letter reminded me of all the daily fears I have for my family contracting this virus. Im fairly old so if I get it, so be it, although Id rather have a few more years. But I have children and grandchildren who have recently married, graduated college, graduated high school, and have years of living ahead of them. I fear that if they get this awful thing their health will be compromised forever. Thanks for sharing and I hope you recover quickly and completely.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)wear a mask, and distance yourself from others.
tavernier
(12,363 posts)My college and high school grands have continued classes online, as well as my kids who are teachers and have taught online since this started. But as the country is starting to open up, so will the schools and the jobs and the social functions. Some are easier to avoid than others. Although its not really funny, but I had to laugh because recently my daughters cat has been sneezing. My daughter was online googling cats and Covid and exposure to people, unsure how they should react to Emmas recent sneezing attacks. She even called the vet who said that it is probably allergies since everything is blooming. I guess this affects cats as well as people. But I just wanted to pass this anecdote on to help illustrate what a crazy, different kind of world we live in anymore.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)when mine sneezed
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the damage it's doing to many who get it, which makes this a particularly important message.
Sounds like you had a serious case, Mike. My husband and I are very glad you're still with all your communities.
gopiscrap
(23,724 posts)Beacool
(30,245 posts)I wish you a full recovery and no permanent damage to your kidneys.