It was We vs Corona and We Won!!!
It was We vs Corona and We Won
Isn’t Being Corona Positive is the most terrible word these days???
In all my life, whenever I used to be apprehensive of life, feeling low or pessimistic, I have been either chided or encouraged by the people around me – depending upon their own temper & nature- for Being Negative. I would get a very strong and powerful assertion from all of them in those times…
BE POSITIVE DEAR!!
They would say it…firm & confidently
We all are like that only. We always wanted others to BE POSITIVE…isn’t it? However, things have changed upside down, thanks to the global pandemic. Now I really wonder… can we ever say this to someone who is standing on a queue to give his/her swab for the testing???Can we? Well, the eight lettered word “positive” has become the most frightening one these days.
BEING COVID POSITIVE sounds like a death sentence. The entire atmosphere has become very scary and fearful of this word. In such a scenario, that fateful day I encountered with the Invisible Enemy Outside, THE CORONA VIRUS.
My Encounter with the VIRUS
My husband was having fever, not too high though. Initially we felt it could be just viral. But after 3-4 days as it didn’t recede, we decided to go for test. I think that was one of the BEST THINGS we did. However, to our utter dismay both I & hubby tested positive in the rapid test itself, I was asymptomatic though. Then immediately we tested our son. His rapid test was negative. His swab was taken for the RT PCR whose result comes after 48hrs.
I would lie if I say I wasn’t petrified, nervous or scared hearing the report. A chill run down my spine immediately. It felt like as if the ground slipped under my feet. Testing Positive for Covid itself makes you numb from inside. And then the thundering add-on words came from the doctor, “10 Days Mandatory Institutional Quarantine.” It is a norm in NAVI MUMBAI. It was no less than a pronounced verdict that sends you to a hell…as we had imagined.
There were two things that I was worrying about.
One…how our son was going to manage without us at home for 10 days in case his RT PCR report comes negative too.
And second, what’s going to happen with us. We were totally clueless. We tried for beds at Fortis Hospital, Vashi but no-bed was available.
Finally, we were allotted CIDCO Covid Hospital, Vashi and taken there while our son was asked to stay at home.
Being Corona Positive: AT HOSPITAL….
Being Corona positive and at hospital, First two days were horrible because we were not able to accept the reality. Wait, as if it wasn’t enough. After two days the RT PCR report of our son came positive too. Gosh!! Let me tell you, I have never hated anything more than this word POSITIVE at that point of time…seriously!! Well, he was also allotted CIDCO Covid Hospital, Vashi after a lot of freaking persuasions from Us, the parents(Else they had allotted him a different hospital…You Government Things)
We desperately tried again to get into Fortis but in vein. That probably taught me the first lesson that no matter how much wealth, affordability or resources you have, it simply doesn’t help if things are not available at all. So now there’re no option than to ACCEPT that the next couple of days were to be lived there only.
Thankfully, the hospital is really well equipped, well maintained. The doctors, nurses and house keeping staffs are humble and supportive. Utmost care is taken for cleanliness and sanitization.
Being Corona Positive: AS MEDICATION…
We were given Anti-biotics for first five days,
Twice LimC (Vitamin Chewable tablets) and Multivitamin tablets once a day for entire 10days
Our oxygen levels were regularly checked at least 4 times a day. Since husband had developed mild infection in lungs too, he was given HCQ tablets after ECG was done.
Normal food was served to us as per our food habit, veg or non-veg.
We were asked to do gargling & drink Warm water only. That’s it.
I would really like to appreciate NMMC and other authorities for being so well prepared with healthcare facilities for this pandemic. I was filled with gratitude for The Doctors, Nurses and housekeeping staffs as they were very motivating.
After 10 days we were sent to home and advised with 7 days home quarantine along with continuing the same medication, Lim C & MV to be precise & diet. And then the final & most awaited word came. Yes I am talking about the most loved word of the day NEGATIVE.I never knew I would love this word so much. Now we are Officially Covid Free Family. This was our journey that we had to take unwillingly though.
Wait Wait…
Every journey serves you with some insights…right. Let me tell you what the things that I learnt from this entire episode.
What Corona Virus Taught Me
1. Corona AFFECTS EVERYONE EQUALLY, but EVERYONE DOES NOT GET EQUALLY AFFECTED. Because everybody is different and unique so also their Immune System.
2. After talking to the qualified doctor there, I understood that along with PRECAUTIONS we should also be PREPARED – mentally to be precise- in case we got it in us.
1. Precautions that help you Play Safe. That includes
Wash Your Hands or use Sanitizer as consciously, as frequently as possible.
Avoid going to crowded places if not required. Maintain social distancing
In case you must go out, make sure when you come back home you change clothes immediately and wash yourselves with soap & warm water
Corona Virus often comes in Clothes, so after coming from outside, make sure you clean them immediately in warm water.
Make three times gargling a part of your routine
Drink warm water
2. Preparation helps you if you lost it somewhere.
As the doctor told me, “It is just takes a couple of seconds for the coronavirus to enter your body no matter what precautions you have taken…all through” It’s just a matter of “Few Seconds” So it is very important to be better prepared for it.
· First, Be mentally prepared. Getting quarantined, institutionally or at home is certainly not the end of the world
· Second, Look at the brighter side of things. Around 80% people are either asymptomatic or mildly affected/infected by this virus. This is the REALITY no matter what depressing statistics are given by the governments , media or other authorities.
· As we know there is no medicine for covid19 so BOOSTING IMMUNITY IS THE KEY to deal with it.
· Make vitamin C a part of your daily intake. People often ignore this even if they know but keeping your body alkaline is not only a necessary way to protect your body from the virus but also it helps neutralize the effect of it in case you get infected.
· Follow everything that works for your body to boost up your immune system. Like turmeric milk, tulsi, amla, kadha…whatever works.
· Take your family doctor’s advice, if you can take multivitamin tablets or not. It works if it suits you and doctor is the best person to advice.
3. PLEASE TEST YOURSELF if you have symptoms.
If you have some symptoms, go and test because it can be lethal if the whole process is delayed and treatment is started late. Mostly CORONA makes you serious if you DELAY TESTING & identified late.
Also, if you don’t test even if you have symptoms, then you really become a Potential Spreader risking people around. Moreover, even if one tests positive for the virus, it will pass over within 7 to 10 days at the most…avers Dr Vishwas Pai, ENT surgeon who recovered after being Covid Positive.
In fact I have also seen, even 75+yr, 80+ yrs old men/women getting healed and go to their home during my 10 days stay at hospital. EARLY DETECTION is the key…. This is what the doctors told me there no matter whatever condition your health is in.
4. STAY POSITIVE (no pun intended)
No matter how dangerous the word “Positive” sounds these days. it is only ‘positivity’ that helps a person fight corona virus.
5. BE PRACTICAL but Not FEARFUL.
Although Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable and it can make some people very ill but for most people COVID-19 causes only mild illness. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. So why to fear then??
Ever since this virus has come to existence it has successfully gripped the mind with intense fear. Most of the times the fear takes a toll bigger than Corona itself. It seems as if its Reality has become a Shadow Of it…Longer than the Actual Size of it. I feel so.
So Take all CARE but Don’t SCARE!!! The Virus is indeed EERIE but not that SCARY what it appears to be.
And for me, I am in a state as
Louisa May Alcott quotes, “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”
Its Okay to be Being Corona POSITIVE!! BE POSITIVE, YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE SOON…Trust Me!!!