Patient 2261
We have been in quarantine for God-knows how long now and certainly, we have had struggles going through our days at home. Since the pandemic started, I have opted to safely work at home. We have been embracing the required social distancing, tried to adapt to the use of face shields and face masks, and before when we can just head out to do groceries as much as we want, this time we have to follow the schedule and required gate pass to enter establishments.
The world has adapted and in one way, we are also doing our best to adjust in these unprecedented times. There are companies that have migrated to work at home setup and provided equipment to their employees given that they have a stable internet connection. There are employees that have invested in getting their own PC unit and equipment. There have been several strides current employers have created to manage and adapt to this so-called "new normal".
As much as it pains me to admit it, I have found convenience in food deliveries like Food Panda and whatever Facebook group I follow that deliver food within your village or barangay. We also have ignited the Master Chef in us and tried to cook our way out of this pandemic with simple recipes like my go-to fool proof faves: Garlic Ketchup Shrimp and for the Korean flair my version of Jjapaguri / Ram-Don. This pandemic has brought about a lot of hobbies like your Plantito and Titas in IG and FB certainly we found happiness in just about anything. I have friends who have ventured to become Vloggers and have made side hustle around online selling of goods (make-up, clothes, home items, and more).
I have been known as a go-getter-never-stopping, take-all-she-can-until-she-faints but at one point I had to slow myself down. And boy, did I have to slow myself down when I got Covid. Yes, you got it right.
Even after being careful, double masking (which I know does not really help but it helps with my mental state giving me false security to keep me at ease) and the usual sanitize when you can as much as you can.
Let me give you a rundown of what happened and when I knew I had Covid.
Saturday: October 17th I visited my dentist for my usual dental cleaning. This trip required me to take a bus as her clinic is 2 bus trips away - why? 1. She speaks Bisaya and 2. She is amazing. Came back home, slept the entire night as I felt rather tired and had been brewing this dry cough which in hindsight was pretty normal considering the long trip.
Symptoms: dry cough, general tiredness
Reported to work: No, rest day.
Sunday: October 18th just rested the entire day and hoping to nurse this cough away.
Symptoms: dry cough, general tiredness
Reported to work: No, rest day.
Monday: October 19th lost my sense of taste while I was trying to enjoy my Ham and Cheese sandwich with a side of Yakult Calamansi drink from Serenitea. I remember crying a bit knowing and felt defeated and regretted having to go out. I had to check if this was really real - I tasted: kimchi - no go. I tasted soy sauce - no go. Everything tasted nothing - like water. It was odd and disheartening at the same time.
I cried a bit and after I felt rather okay, I started to research how much PCR test costs and if I can get it covered by my HMO. Talked to a nurse from DLSUMC and I am referred to DCMC as they no longer have any tests available. I then called DCMC and they told me to prep for Php8500 to get tested and wait for 3-5 days for the results. I can get my HMO to shoulder it as long as I have to get tested and checked by a physician who should also be covered by my card. I was not really comfortable shouldering the Php8500 as I felt that this might just be because of my cough (which to be honest is just my denial stage in full effect). I also did not like the idea that I had to go to the hospital which I wanted to avoid.
Thankfully I have amazing co-workers and Miss LC told me to ask help from my barangay as they will cover the test. I felt rather at ease knowing I can get tested and let's be real, I have no Php8500 to spend right now.
I also reached out to my immediate supervisor and told him what happened and what I have planned for the test. Although I am not required to be reporting to the office, I also wanted to give him the heads-up as I have an ongoing class. I am a Product Trainer at a BPO here in Cavite. He will need to find a replacement while I will be isolated.
Symptoms: dry cough, general tiredness, no taste, no smell
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Tuesday: October 20th I talked to a friend who got Covid too and asked what I needed to prepare in case I will be moved to an isolation facility. She gave me a list of items to bring with me and I started to pack clothes and the majority of what I will need if and when I will be isolated. I will list the things I prepared in a separate post.
I could not make it on my own, with the help of friends and loved ones I was able to secure Robittusin for the dry cough, Vitamin C as I have no plans heading out of the house as I am a possible reservoir of illness. I also asked help to reach out to our Barangay and get myself listed for possible Covid patients. Thankfully it was rather seamless. The Barangay Health Worker (BHW) will interview you, ask for your Philhealth number, SSS number, your updated mobile number and you will be asked a brief summary of what happened, contact tracing, and symptoms. The BHW will inform you when you will be scheduled for testing. She mentioned that I might be up to get tested by Thursday, October 22nd.
Nurse Paula from DOH who is assigned to our Barangay has started to contact me via SMS asking for symptoms and my daily temperature check.
Symptoms: dry cough, itchy throat, no taste, no smell
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Wednesday: October 21st
Symptoms: dry cough, itchy throat, no taste, no smell, I also felt a bit light-headed at times or that feeling of hotness in your eyes like you are going to have a fever but never registers as a fever, also had slight diarrhea had 3 bowels for the day which normally I get one.
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Thursday: October 22nd I was told by Nurse Paula that I will have been added to the list of those to be tested at 2PM MLA today.
I went to Metrogate where the Swabbing Area was and got tested. Call time was 2PM but they started around 2:45PM. They set up and geared up and started to call out folks. I have seen different kinds of people as I waited - those that wear a mask but had their noses out, those that wear a mask but is dangling from their ears, a mom mask, and all carrying her child roughly a few months old without a mask. I also overheard what seemed to be a group of friends to the side that one of their friends treated them to some drinks and the whole barkada is here for swabbing. There was also one guy who was taking a picture while the testing was ongoing and has been reprimanded that it is prohibited and a violation of their confidentiality. Got tested at 3:10PM, I made sure I have the right name and signed it. My nurse got a sample from the back of my mouth versus the deep nasal test.
Symptoms: dry cough, itchy throat, no taste, no smell, mild headache, no fever
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Friday: October 23rd
Symptoms: dry cough, itchy throat, no taste, no smell, mild headache, no fever, back pain
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Saturday: October 24th
Symptoms: no taste, no smell, mild headache, no fever, back pain
Reported to work: No, rest day.
Sunday: October 25th
Symptoms: no smell, no fever, general weakness, slight recovery of taste especially sour-tasting food
Reported to work: No, rest day.
Monday: October 26th
Symptoms: no taste, no smell, no fever, slight recovery of taste especially sour-tasting food
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Tuesday: October 27th
Symptoms: no smell, no fever, slight recovery of taste- sour, slight recovery for salty and sweet-tasting food
Reported to work: Yes, I am on a Work at Home setup.
Wednesday: October 28th results are in - Positive for COVID-19 around 12:43PM MLA. I was ready that I will be transported to the isolation facility within the day. I added a few more items to my bag along with some snacks to get me by.
I endorsed my class to my Co-Trainer AK and informed my immediate supervisor that I will be isolated for the next 2 weeks. Sent a few e-mails, took a deep breath, and hoped that I will make it through the 14 days unscathed.
The barangay scheduled transport for me to get to Qubo Qubana, a local resort that has been converted to an Isolation Facility. Setup my bed and stuff and started to wind down for the day.
Symptoms: no fever, slight recovery of taste- sour, slight recovery for salty and sweet-tasting food
Reported to work: Yes, half-day.
Summary: It took one bad decision that led me here. Two days when I lost my sense of taste and smell. Five days to get tested and six days for the results. Sharing with you my fourteen days of isolation in the next post.
Kanang strange... Ambot. Mura ko'g naa's imong hunahuna. 😅
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