Prayers and support helped her gather the courage to fight the virus
SURVIVOR’S TALE
I was home for almost two months when I got COVID-19. The only time I went out was to visit my late parents in Manila Memorial Park in Sta. Rita, Bulacan with my siblings and their families, together with my daughter. We also grabbed a bite on our way home.
I’m an OB-Gyne by profession, and I had been preparing for my diplomate exams which kept me up late at night studying. So when I started having on-and-off fever from July 6 to 11, I thought it was the usual fever that stemmed from lower immunity due to lack of sleep.
By July 12, on the seventh day from the time I had fever, I knew this was more than just the regular fever. I started coughing, taking a lot of medicines to prevent my cough from worsening. I also lost my appetite to eat.
On the 10th day, I had ageusia (complete loss of the taste function of the tongue) and anosmia (loss of sense of smell) the following day. Thankfully, I got both my taste and sense of smell back on the 15th day. But the worst is far from over.
I noticed that I already had shortness of breath just by walking from my bed to the bathroom, so I decided to stay in bed and pee in a pan. Staying in a prone position while in bed also helped me breathe better. I also asked my brother to buy another oxygen tank, because I observed that I was consuming oxygen faster.
By day 16, I was already catching my breath. It was difficult to admit, but I knew I couldn’t do this alone at home anymore. Things weren’t getting better. That’s when I texted my former co-resident Dr. John Patrick Pablico if I could be admitted to Mary Johnston Hospital. As soon as I got there, the emergency room staff didn’t recognize me. I got thinner. I think I lost five to 10 kilograms.
FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE. Dr. Macaraeg didn't see any progress for the first few days upon checking in to the hospital but didn't give up.
I was brought to the airconditioned triage tent where they had me lie down on a stretcher. I was given an oxygen tank with a 10-liter-per-minute oxygen intake. I was also administered dextrose and given medications. Blood work was also done, including X-ray with results that showed my lungs almost covered in haze. It was almost white all over. I can still see my lungs — half of the left and 1/3 of the right. I was given Piptaz and Remdesivir after my health examination.
With everything that happened in a span of a few minutes inside the triage, one can assume that I really had COVID-19. But, surprisingly, the RT-PCR test done on me as soon as I checked it came out negative. Nevertheless, I was treated as a COVID-19 patient.
As soon as I got checked into the hospital, I was given the hi-flow nasal cannula machine that helped me breathe significantly better. On my third day in the hospital, they had me tested again for COVID-19. This time, the result was positive. But with all the medications administered to her, Dr. Batan informed me that there was no regression or progression of my health status.
“Kaya mo iyan. Kapit lang. Laban lang (You can do it. Hang on. Continue the fight). Always pray. Pray Hard. Pray. Pray. Pray,” these were the words that kept me strong. I gathered strength and hope from my family and friends.
ALL SMILES NOW — Thanks to the many doctors, family members, and friends who helped her get better.
I still couldn’t see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel on my fifth day in the hospital. There was still no progress — I was losing hope. It was only on the seventh day when I had another X-ray done. Good news finally came through with the report that my health status was improving. Things just kept getting better after that with me weaning off from using the oxygen tank. Some of my IV medicines were shifted to oral intake.
With everything that had happened, I am grateful for technology that kept me in touch with my family and friends. We can talk to each other anytime. I love my family so much! Thank you also to my relatives and friends. I didn’t feel any boredom during my stay here in the hospital. Thank you to all the hospital staff, and to Dr. Alex Tan, Dr. Menorca, Dr. Duran, Dr. Agujo, Dr. Urriquia for my second life.
I was discharged last August 9, four days after being tested negative for COVID-19. I’m in my recovery phase now and I look forward to saving more lives by educating more people with my story. I want to tell the world that COVID-19 is not only a virus, it is a KILLER VIRUS! Once you have it, you wouldn’t know if you would still be alive for the next few days. So let’s be responsible — always wear a mask and face shield.
I thank God that we are still alive. Always pray and keep the faith. Be good to others so that you can see how many good friends are praying for you. And for those who are going through what I went through — Don’t lose hope. Have faith. God is good all the time.