{UAH} My Covid19 Experience

My Covid19 Experience

I'm one of the many survivors of the first wave of covid-19 in Uganda. Very few of my friends and family members know about this. I'm volunteering this information because as we go into the second wave of the pandemic, I see a lot laxity and none adherence of Ministry of Health Guidelines by many people. This laxity is partly due to the fact that most people never got to experience or see close relatives go through the harsh experience of covid19 and as such, some have dismissed it as a myth or as something simple as usual cold or flu that we are used to. At the same time there's a lot of fear for covid-19 and this has caused panic among some people to the extent of some people fearing to seek for medical help in a timely manner. Most covid-19 survivors do not like sharing their experiences mainly because of the stigma associated with the disease. 

While at one of the testing facilities in Kampala on Tuesday last week, a friend of mine that i had not seen for a long time ignorantly came close to me and positioned himself for a hug. I took a few steps backwards and reminded him about the need to restrain from such close contacts. He smiled sheepishly and I proceeded to do the test angry that a person who should be in the know of the guidelines is not bothered at all. 

For those who have cared to read or listen, there is sufficient information out there about the virus and how deadly it is. My intention is not to scare people, but im sure some people will agree with me that most of the stories of the survivors are very chilling and sometimes very scary to some of the survivors themselves!!!. 

I was particularly lucky that my infection was detected relatively early and I immediately started on treatment two days after testing. Despite the early detection, the virus wasn't friendly to me at all. Two days after starting treatment, it incapacitated me to the extent that I needed oxygen, I could not move an inch. In addition to other extreme health difficulties, I experienced the greatest fevers...about 5 rounds fevers hit me over several days. At some point, I remember allowing myself to give up and surrendering...the virus had fully broken me down (atleast that's what I thought) and I was ready to transition into the next life. I had made peace with myself. Former USA Senator John Kerry one time said that every man has a breaking point. I can tell you, covid19 breakes you into small little pieces and reduces your will to fight for your life...It broke me and I gave up early on my life. This was around the time when covid19 fatalities were so high that a day would not pass without hearing of someone who had passed away. Before nearly going unconscious, I remember one person would send me a get-well message and assure me that everything would be OK and a few minutes later you would see the same person posting on social media announcing the passing of someone !!!! That would almost send me many miles away from fighting on. It was very scary. 

For one to fight off covid19 you need a combination of factors that must be available in sufficient quantities and qualities: early detection of the virus, proper prescription and treatment; positive mindset (the patient's psychological state must be in such a manner that allows him/er to be in position to fight on; proper diet (one must have appropriate foods including drinks in order to keep the body well nourished); personally I believe one needs to keep ones faith in the correct line because that helps to combine with other factors to keep you fighting on. Because almost everything happened in isolation, I was able to reexamine and renew my faith in the Almighty God and I know I was able to partly heal because of His intervention. I used to listen to a lot of gospel music deep in the night. I remember one time around 3am I listened to one of Apostle Jonathan's songs called Gwe Wekka. This was the first time I was listening to his music. In fact I have never met him. I don't even know whether he undertakes his pastoral duties. But that particular night as I played his song, something extraordinary happened and I felt some kind of regeneration of my body. I played it several times as tears continuously rolled down and I prayed for Gods healing. I did not sleep a single minute that night. That night was the beginning of my recovery and some weeks later I came out of the isolation facility after testing negative. 

As you may have heard, even after recovery, some survivors continue to experience some long-term effects of covid19. I have a few long-term covid19 effects and I'm handling them. They varry from one person to another. It is now clear that some people experience long-term neurologic consequences. Particularly troubling is increasing evidence that there may be mild — but very real — brain damage that occurs in many survivors, causing pervasive yet subtle cognitive, behavioral, and psychological problems. It is important to stay in close contact with medical workers so that they advise on the best means of managing these long-term effects. 

Finally, I would like to pray for anyone who is battling covid19. It is possible to defeat this virus, however nasty it might play with you. Keep on fighting. I also pray for those who have not yet got the virus. Please protect yourself and stay safe from the virus. That's how we can break the transmission chain of this deadly virus. 

I cannot forget to pray for the medical workers: May the Mighty hand of God give you courage and protect you as you undertake your noble work. Without your sacrifices, we can never get out of this harsh situation. 

Edward Tujunirwe

edwardt2079@gmail.com

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