To see more in this series “My Single Girl Story {Navigating COVID-19}”, click here.
Shortly after the COVID-19 crisis in the States popped up, I started coughing.
What seemed like just a cough, then turned into a really runny nose and a sore throat overnight. This was the last thing I was expecting, and set my brain on fire.
To say it’s a terrible time to be sick is an incredible understatement. I’m going to tell you about my experience for the past 12 days.
WHEN YOU GET (TEMPORARILY) DENIED WORK FROM HOME
At the same time that the cough started, my company released the first of many COVID related policies around working from home. An unprecedented time, policies were being crafted and communicated to the masses. Knowing how scary the world was becoming, I was shocked to receive a response that my individual request to work from home had been denied. I was devastated, and mostly I was afraid.
I work in a HQ location and leadership presence is critical during times of crisis. Think about when the internet goes down or there’s a tornado warning – – you need leaders around to help people. While I would have been an ideal helper in this scenario, the idea of being in an office full of potentially infected people shook me to the core. As a healthy single person who wasn’t at risk to contaminate others in the home, who didn’t have kids to watch after, nor took public transportation, it felt a little bit like I was being volunteered as tribute. In the early days of information distribution, it was the sick and elderly that were most at risk, and on paper, I didn’t meet the first set of guidelines released.
When I woke up with the sore throat the morning I was to report to the office, I was prepared to go in, but logic told me this was a bad idea. I had already seen so much online commentary about how quickly the virus spreads and had received a raised eyebrow or two when I coughed in public already. I messaged our HR team, advised of flu-like symptoms, and was encouraged to stay home. This was on March 13, and I have been working from home ever since.
As follow-up: Our policy has evolved tremendously since this initial release, as has everyone’s. Companies have wanted to maintain as much normalcy as possible along the way… until normal completely vanished as an option. My office is now closed aside from essential workers that can only perform their duties onsite in line with state government mandates.
I am beyond grateful that I have an opportunity to work from home and for my incredible team who hasn’t missed a beat from the comfort of their home offices.
I’m also extra grateful that I didn’t go in that day, considering that I could have shared these germs with others. Germs that still haven’t gone away completely.
WHEN YOU ANALYZE EVERY SYMPTOM
Over the next several days, I suspiciously began to pay attention to my body’s every reaction. Why is my nose running so much? Oh, a wet cough isn’t on the COVID-19 symptom list – phew! Why am I so cold? Do I have a fever?
I quickly became a psychopath, consuming as much information as I could to confirm that I was ok. My friend Deb told me she had allergies flaring, so I assumed that was what I was experiencing too and went about my way.
On Sunday when I self-diagnosed myself with a fever, I knew I needed to go to Target to get Tylenol. Again, I’m single… so no one else is going to get this for me. I mean, I could ask… but I just wanted it immediately. I was in and out of that store in 10 minutes flat. I would have been in and out in 5 minutes, had I not accidentally picked up Tylenol PM the first dash through the pain relief aisle. Lucky catch to see the big red PM letters on the box before I took those home.
Thankfully, the Tylenol took care of the fever that day.
WHEN EVERYONE YOU KNOW IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR
Have you noticed that everyone you know is a medical doctor right now? They’ve read all the things and have been waiting for this very moment to put it to good use. Everything from take elderberry to don’t take elderberry to try these allergy meds via Amazon to get some local honey and eat that.
And honestly, I listened to everyone. I even ordered the pills off Amazon. All I wanted to do was feel better, and to get rid of whatever this is. I will say, it’s a bit overwhelming to be swamped with suggestions, but it’s really how people express their desire to help. We are all helpers by nature, and I’m very lucky to have a crew of medical professionals looking out for me.
But dang, so many suggestions…
WHEN PEOPLE START TO THINK YOU HAVE “IT”
On Tuesday, things escalated a little. I was woken up by a phone call. It seemed like it was the middle of the night, so I was worried when I answered the phone that something was wrong. It was one of my employees. She was calling because no one had heard from me, and it was already 10:30am.
Holy crap. I had unknowingly overslept for work and had been missing-in-action for two and a half hours. I had also been asleep for more than 12.
Horrified, I rushed to my home office to make sure I hadn’t missed something critical. Thankfully, I had not… but my heart was racing. Worse, so was my mind.
I ended up taking Tuesday off – – because I needed it and frankly, I had reached a breaking point. The stress of self-quarantine, end of quarter in sales, being responsible for other humans worried about the virus, and truthfully starting to think I might have COVID pushed me over the edge.
The same employee who woke me up on Tuesday mentioned she had an extra thermometer and that she would be happy to send her husband to drop one at my door. Y’all, they live 45 minutes away. I said yes (and I am so grateful for the gesture!)
I had to know if I had a fever. That was the missing piece and the piece that so many of the medical professionals I referenced above kept asking. If I had a fever, I could confirm this and seek medical attention.
The ear thermometer arrived and calmed my nerves that my temp was normal. I can’t even tell you how comforting that was to know. Still I wasn’t really getting better.
WHEN YOUR FRIENDS CONVINCE YOU TO GO TO THE DOCTOR
Fast forward to Thursday, day 8 of symptoms. I’m still popping my Mucinex, my vitamin C, and my allergy meds… but it’s showing no signs of slowing.
My friend Randi texts me. I don’t understand why you haven’t gone to the doctor yet, Kelly. You are not getting better, and it would be good for all of us to know you’re ok.
Wow. This is the first time I realized the angle. My dear friend was worried and watching my status, thinking that I could be a carrier of COVID, that may have given it to others.
Within seconds, I logged into my company’s telehealth portal and begin to wait to see a provider. The queue was 37 deep for the doctor they match me with, and at 600pm, I’m not sure I would get connected until after midnight at this rate.
I called a local urgent care, who tells me to come in and that they don’t have a wait.
WHEN DOCTORS ARE EXTRA CAUTIOUS
It was a snowy day in Colorado, and the urgent care was completely empty. They took me back and started talking to me about what was going on. Every doctor and nurse was masked and gloved (as expected) and they gave me excellent care.
We went through a series of questions about how I was feeling, when symptoms began, potential exposure, and more. In the end, the doctor told me that he wouldn’t recommend me for a COVID test right now (and certainly didn’t have any onsite), but that he wanted to test me for the flu.
I agreed and got that delightful nose swab I’ve heard so much about lately. You guys, I’ve never wanted a test to be positive so hard in my life.
It came back negative.
The doctor discussed options with me, and prescribed me a Z-Pak + a steroid to zap these symptoms. He also further reassured me that the treatment he was offering was applicable to a COVID patient too. Treating the symptoms is the only course of action right now.
I took my scripts and headed to the pharmacy, optimistic that I would feel better in no time!
I share this story, because I know how scary a sniffle is and how awful a cough can seem right now. The doctors and nurses are literally lifesavers right now, and I’m so grateful for the team that helped me.
I still don’t know if whatever this lingering cold is could be COVID, but I’m trying hard to be optimistic, to trust in the antibiotics, and to stay diligent with self-quarantine. None of those have proven to be very easy.
At the same time, I’m young(ish), I’m healthy and I plan on getting well. Time will tell how the rest of this pandemic will play out, but of all times to be sick, I don’t wish sickness in the time of COVID upon anyone.
MSGS Tip of the Day: Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. I failed to ask for help when I needed it, and could have had piece of mind way earlier in the process. Look for the helpers… they’re everywhere. <3