Today marks six months since I first contracted COVID-19, and I’ve been grappling with its effects for half a year. Until now, I’ve kept my struggles mostly private, sharing only with close friends. But today, I’ve decided to speak out, hoping my experience serves as a cautionary tale for others.
My Journey Over the Past Six Months
- I was hospitalized due to severe chest pain that required IV pain relief and fluids for my high fever.
- I’ve faced pneumonia twice, leading to lung fibrosis, which has diminished my lung capacity.
- I’ve endured pleurisy and inflammation of the cartilage around my ribs.
- The brain fog has been relentless; my thoughts have felt cloudy for six months, forcing me to repeat tasks constantly.
- I can’t drink alcohol anymore because of liver inflammation.
- Daily chest pain and shortness of breath have become my new normal; the only exercise I can manage is walking, whereas before March 16, I attended spin classes three times a week.
My resting heart rate has skyrocketed from 55 to 101. Just today, I visited my cardiologist and learned that I need two echocardiograms and an MRI to assess potential heart damage. COVID-19 is terrifying; it can trigger an inflammatory response that, while not severe enough for a ventilator, can drastically alter your life. I’ve been classified as having a “mild to moderate” case of the virus.
While my cardiologist remains optimistic, he’s uncertain about the next steps for my recovery. He reassured me that my struggles are real and not just in my head, mentioning that I’m among many patients with long-term symptoms. On average, “long haulers” like me are typically 44 years old, female, and previously healthy with no underlying conditions.
I try to carry on with my daily life, baking bread, assisting my kids, and cleaning the house; after all, you can’t stay in bed forever. My doctor informed me that I have plenty of antibodies (fingers crossed that I still do) and that I’m not contagious. I must deal with the reality of my condition now.
I share my story not to seek sympathy but to stress that many people seem to be growing weary of hearing about COVID-19 and are moving on. I understand the exhaustion, but I urge everyone to continue to take this virus seriously.
Further Reading
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Summary:
This article shares a personal account of living with the long-term effects of COVID-19 for six months. The author details their struggles, including severe chest pain, pneumonia, and brain fog, while emphasizing the importance of taking the virus seriously. The narrative serves as a reminder that COVID-19 can have life-altering consequences, even for those with mild cases.