Wanda Gomez, pre-Covid-19, with her grandson Jamell.
April 4 was a regular Saturday morning for me. Getting ready for my part-time job and starting my day.
As a healthcare provider in the front line, I took all precautions necessary as usual to avoid getting Covid-19, including when I arrived home.
Upon my arrival that afternoon I told my husband that I was not feeling well; I felt severe body aches and pain.
At that moment I did not think of the Covid-19. I just felt I have been doing too much around the house. I then went took my shower and went straight to bed.
As the night progressed, I felt the pains and body aches penetrating through my bones and core muscles, making it difficult to lie in a position that was comfortable. Then in a blink of an eye: the shivers and the sweats, the intense headaches that would not go away not even with Tylenol.
On Sunday, April 5, I received a call from the healthcare agency where I work to inform me that the client I was caring for was hospitalized that morning and tested positive for Covid-19. This is when I knew I was exposed.
So many mixed feelings came to my head, I became angry. How could I let my guard down: I was very concerned about my family, my grandchildren, my husband whose condition is compromised. I prayed to God to overcome this beast that is destroying and killing lives, including my own. I was lost for words!
I said to myself: Covid-19 just attacked my life, my family, and my world!
Two weeks of quarantine life followed, in solitary confinement My husband became my nurse, my caretaker, my doctor.
As the days went by, my symptoms got worse. I could not eat. ‚I could not keep any fluids down, including H2O.
On April 6 I called my MD and explained my symptoms. She sent me for a Covid-19 test. It took 3 days to get the results — which came back negative.
On Wednesday, April 9, I received the call from the healthcare agency to inform me that the client passed away. A ton of bricks just fell in front of my eyes. I knew by then I was sick and I couldn’t do anything about it.
By then I had developed new symptoms, including severe diarrhea for seven days. The diarrhea did a number on me! “Let the body takes its course,” I was told in Telehealth sessions.
On Easter Sunday my husband looked at me and said, “The hell with that. You’re going to the hospital. I can’t see you like this.”
He called the ER and explained my symptoms. They immediately instructed him to bring me in.
I walked into the ED. They took my vitals, took me straight in the back. One huge concern they had my oxygen level was at 60, so at the point they made me walk to elevate my oxygen level. Thank god it went up to 90. I received my two-liter IV. They told me, “You have Covid-19. Take Tylenol, plenty of rest and fluids.” Just exactly what my husband has been giving
I’m going onDay 20, still fighting the Covid-19. I’m not a quitter. I’m a warrior.
I want to take this opportunity to let all those people out there: If you or a family member are fighting this vicious virus, don’t let it take control of you. As hard as it sounds, trust me. I wanted to give up! Be a warrior and fight back. Don’t let it defeat you.
Please, people. Follow what our governor has put in place. Stay home. Be safe. Keep a six-foot distance. Wear your masks; wash your hands. This is deadly.
I want to thank my husband for taking care of me during this critical time in my life. To my mom and dad, family friends for checking in with a text or call. For my kids face timing me to see my grand babies. To the frontline nurses, doctors, techs, cleaning personnel, security guards, EMTs — they deserve the utmost respect as they put their lives at risk for us.
Wanda Gomez has worked as a mental health counselor for 20 years.
Previous Pandemic Diaries:
• The View From Inside The ER
• Doc Glimpses Coming Covid-19 “Storm”