For those who follow me on social media, you might have noticed that I have been absent as of late. And here is why: I contracted Covid. And seeing as I am a writer , who is normally very out going and active, who was now forced to stay at home and isolate, I had all the time in the world to catalog my experience.
Day 1 – The realization
I managed to make it into my 5:30am work shift okay, with my 45 minute commute. My work day begins pretty active, it involves plenty of foot traffic and heavy lifting, as well as communication and organization. I have to be on, which is normally possible due to a double shot of espresso. On this day everything started off normal. I did feel tried, but chalked it up to the fact that I went to bed at 2am the night before, only to wake up 2.5 hours later to start my long day. My organization can’t seem to keep the facilities warm, but even at my desk with a miniature heater blowing directly towards me, I couldn’t seem to warm up. I took my break early and took an hour nap (by accident, set the alarm for AM and not PM) and came back only to leave early for the day. I was exhausted. I began sniffling. I decided to go home and nap before I hit the gym, figuring fatigue was to blame.
However, I awoke from my nap to lower back soreness and the same exhaustion I carried with me the whole day. I was able to get my hands on a rapid test and after a swab, swirl, and drip: I tested positive. I informed my employer, who advised me on the need to self isolate for 10 days and if I am showing no symptoms I can return to work 24 hours after, if I am fully vaccinated (which I am), or 48 hours if I am not fully vaccinated.
So in planning for my long solitary term, I preemptively ordered $100 worth of Chinese food delivery that I can freeze and graze on as necessary. Sadly this would be a waste as I realized all too well that you lose your appetite, and don’t really need a lot of food when all you do is sleep.
I did have a frozen chicken pot pie and a bowl of hot and sour soup, cause your body needs fuel to heal right? But the rest of night #1 was spent sleeping, with intermittent breaks to use the washroom and drink honey + water.
Day 2: Sleep Hard
The fatigue and soreness are non stop on the 2nd day. The only release is with 3 Advil capsules, which doesn’t last, but does allow for me to get one task done during the day. Today it was organizing the surfaces. Putting bags, papers, purchases in their rightful place. A mundane task that now proved laborious.
I also tried taking 3 Tylenol capsules to see if they faired better than Advil, they do help to dull the pain, but not enough to really be active with it.
Day #2 also came with a cold sore, I am prone to these when I am stressed, so make it a point to not stress myself out for any reason. But low immunity, due to a pandemic infection overrides all that I guess. This was your typical cold sore, a smear of little white bumps that was sore and tender.
On this day it was mostly just sleeping. At this point I can’t believe I am able to sleep this much without actually expelling any energy. Similarly, I am astonished that I am having normal bowel movements without eating much food.
Today I had a bowl of shrimp and bbq pork fried rice with a bit of fried squid, honey garlic spareribs, and green beans. I was unable finish it, it looked and tasted unappealing.
Day 3: Fatigue
Less sleep was needed on Day #3, but I was still feeling nonstop fatigue. I still couldn’t stand up for more than 5 minutes without being winded. I did plenty of breath work to be able to empty the dishwasher and fill it with the dirty ones that have been piling up in the sink.
My appetite was a little better. Had a black sesame wafer cookie, a honey crisp apple, a can of zoodles (canned pasta) alongside two pieces of cheese toast.
The cold sores blistered and ruptured. So now they are little red dots scarring the side of my lip. I guess if you are going to have a cold sore, during the period that you can’t go out is the best time to have it.
Half way through the day, after already taking 3 Advils, I noticed much of my soreness had dissipated. I could now lay on my side and didn’t have to be precisely flat on my back to be without pain. I also had more energy and the drive to start writing this post, chronicling my covid journey.
However, Day #3 brought on the coughing. Loud short burst, followed by phlegm. I do not prefer this phase over the the last. I was finally able to sleep on my side as a nice change in position, only to discover that I tended to cough more in fetal position. And the least amount of coughing was done flat on my back.
Day 4 – Who am I?
Day #4 had me feeling noticeably less tired. Less sleeping was needed, but more tv watching ensued to help pass the time.
I did find that I had a tad more energy, but did still find myself being winded, engaging in simple tasks or getting up too quick. A loss of breath followed by a quick dizzy spell, where I had to catch my breath.
The majority of my coughing was done on this day. Deep from the belly that rattled my brain. The rattling would eventually evolve into a tension headache that required pills to resolve.
Oddly, on this day I also found that I did not recognize myself in the mirror. My reflection did not look like me. My face seemed elongated, my jaw wider, my eyes further apart. This was the most fearsome of my symptoms. Who have I become and why would it last 2 days?
Day 5 – On the Mend
Day #5 brought back more of my appetite, I was just particularly picky with it. I rather not eat, than to have to eat what I didn’t want. And when I did find something I wanted to eat, it didn’t taste quite right. Like my chicken pot pie was extra garlicky and my all dress chips taste like peppery corn.
Symptoms-wise: the cough was gone, the soreness had left. All that lingered was the back of the skull tension headaches.
Day 6: Boredom
With enough energy and time for social media scrolling, I felt like the world was leaving me behind. But with the same dizzy spells and headaches lingering, I felt it was best to continue my quarantine.
On this day I craved and was able to indulge in a fried Spam, sunny side up egg, and cheese sandwich, with tomato soup and cherry tomatoes on the side. I would continue to have this for the next 2 days, as a sign of me getting my grove back.
Day 7: So Done
By Day #7 my symptoms were completely gone, I wasn’t tired, sore, or fatigued. I didn’t cough nor did I have any mucus. Although I didn’t feel like myself prior to covid. Having asked around, apparently this is common and the stamina and strength you once had would have to be rebuilt. I was quoted a month or so. Similarly, I had learned my lesson and was now eager to get my booster shot, but was advised not to, by someone who too got covid and had their doctor warn them about getting a shot so close to just having covid. Apparently you want to give the antigens time to leave your body and rest, before you introduce new ones into the mix. Makes sense. I was not ready to feel symptoms again any how.
Day 10: Regaining Normalcy
By Day #10 I felt like myself again. Just slimmer having not eaten as much, but I did lose a lot of the muscle definition I had been working on prior to contracting covid. On this day I resumed my fitness training, only to realize the weights I was using before were now too heavy, and the energy I had to complete my work out was spotty at best. I couldn’t hold a plank or pop a squat without shaking. I had a lot of work to do, to rebuild. But this is the price I paid for not being as safe as I could have been with a pandemic around.
In conclusion I had it easy. My body was strong enough to fight and only cause the above damage. It could have been much worse. I don’t recommend this as a way to get some time off, nor would I wish this on my worse enemy. I have had my covid experience now and it bears not repeating.
