April 20/27 2020

The Era of COVID-19

Well, we thought we were in the clear at the end of March when Gabe got better and then bam, Joseph got sick.  And then again a couple weeks later I got sick and then a few days later it hit Sierra. I got tested pretty quick for COVID and it came back negative. But I was SO SICK. The sickest I've been in my life. I couldn't speak at times because I would cough so bad. I couldn't even sit outside at the worst because the outside air would trigger my cough and I couldn't catch my breath. Sleeping was impossible. And I had the worst chest pain and sore throat. And so much fatigue and weakness. If I was a betting woman I would've said I had COVID. 

I tried a lot of homeopathy and OTC medications and finally ended up with an inhaler to try to help. I finally took Sierra into the pediatrician to get tested for strep, COVID (they lost her test so who knows), and flu but all were either negative or lost (thanks TESTUtah). She ended up with an inhaler too because her lungs were so tight. 

We measured our oxygen levels via pulse ox and they were fine but I could barely take care of myself, not to mention cook and clean for 5 kids due to the weakness and coughing. Thank goodness I had the girls to help, a few neighbors dropped off groceries, and my mom dropped off dinner one night. I didn't leave the house much for 2 weeks although I did go along with Eric to pickup takeout one night, and get gas.  

Just as Sierra and I thought we were recovered, Bella came down with something similar. She was also tested for COVID and it came back negative. She was not as sick as us but was pretty fatigued and wiped out with a cough for a week. By then it was the end of May and that was the week we had a VRBO with a pool reserved in St. George so we just up and packed and quarantined ourselves there.  After 2 months of being stuck at home it was a welcome change of scenery. 

The crazy thing was that Eric and baby T never got sick!? What a blessing! And also so amazing! Eric did sleep in a different room for about a week and got up with Thomas when I was at my sickest to help try to prevent this but still it is amazing. There's the theory it may have to do with blood type . .  and this could hold true as COVID is more asymptomatic in certain blood types.  Who knows. 

All I know is that we were sooo sick and about every 2 weeks it hit another person in the family. . . 

Something I do not want to relive. Thank goodness for modern medicine. And for the tender mercies of the Lord manifested such as my sweet neighbor Melissa who tried to doctor me from afar and arrange/send me whatever I needed at the time.  

There have been some blessings (change of pace, more time with my family/kids) and some realizations (simplifying, greater focus on our family, etc.) that I would not wish away. But I do look forward to the day when we will not have to mask up every time we leave the house. 

Now to the first week of school starting back up after 5 months!