SURVIVOR’S TALE
(The author is the Political Affairs Officer III and Officer In-Charge of the Pasig LGU-Cooperative Development Office. She is 58 years old.)
I am a government employee and with the threat of COVID-19, and because of my age and health condition, I was allowed to work from home during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). When Metro Manila was on MECQ, I started to report for work, complying with the safety protocols. It was in June when I was first tested and I had a negative result.
It was on the first week of August when I felt something unusual. I felt so weak, like a burning candle melting, which I dismissed as over-fatigue. On August 7, I had a slight fever and felt some itchiness which I thought was caused by my being a diabetic. Then I felt some difficulty in breathing with some chest pain. Because I am asthmatic and had been diagnosed with a heart disease, I took my medicines and felt some relief.
On August 9, I lost my sense of smell and appetite but the fever was gone and I had no cold or cough.
The same day, I received a call from my colleague informing me that we will have our regular swab test the following day (August 10). I got the results three days after. It was positive!
I felt heaviness. I didn’t ask ‘why me?’ because since the beginning, I knew that my existing health condition puts me at high risk. I felt so depressed and felt a great fear for my family. I have a sister who is a senior citizen, my son who is just 12 years old, and a younger sister who is also a diabetic.
On August 13, after the official result from our CESU (City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit), my family was immediately sent for swabbing test and I was turned over to a hotel facility for COVID positive people who are symptomatic.
I prayed, lifting up everything to God and submitting myself to His will. I talked to my family, preparing them for what may happen to me. I was not sure I would survive. I told them that I will be cremated afterwards and my ashes will be given to them. We were all crying but I could not hug them. I asked their forgiveness for whatever I had done.
At the hotel, I worried about my family for the results of their swab test was not yet out.
It was on August 15; Feast of the Assumption, when I regained my sense of smell, giving thanks to God through the intercession of Mama Mary.
On August 17, I received a call from our CESU informing me that my son and sister who is a senior citizen got negative results. I felt the goodness and love of God and how our Blessed Mother protects her children.
But there was another trial that added to my emotional burden. I was informed of the condition of my youngest sister who was having severe cough and colds with on and off fever. She was brought to a facility for persons under investigation (PUI) patients. Later, it was confirmed that she was also positive with the virus. She was brought to another facility for such patients.
Meanwhile, I was in quarantine where I struggled with anxiety and depression. Whenever I heard the sound of the siren of the ambulance, I would feel terrified and think of what will happen to me.
But I had to be strong for my family. I was constantly praying and I also felt strengthened by the prayers offered by our family, friends and colleagues. I felt the loving presence of God and was able to cope with the horrible experience.
Finally, I was tested and got a negative result! I was so happy that I was now free from the virus and would be going back to my family.
For me, being in quarantine was an experience on faith, hope and love. I felt God calling me to reflect and to reach out to Him. I thought of the many times when I ignored His messages while I was busy with technology, gadgets and earthly desire. I had not talked to God in prayer and had not listened or reflected on His word.
We live with our gadgets and seek each other’s status through social media. Yet, did we ask ourselves — what is my status with God? He is waiting for us to talk to him.
Let us not wait to be COVID positive to finally seek God in prayer,
After surviving that trial brought by this COVID-19, I realized the essence of being God’s creation. There is always a reason for everything. In life’s journey, we need to pause to find ourselves and God’s purpose for us.
“I proclaim the goodness of the Lord. His love is unconditional and endures forever!”