I am sharing my experience in this pandemic time because many of us are worried much about Covid-19. My experience was like expect the unexpected and that too a very unpleasant situation. We all know the seriousness of Swine flu. Though it is less contagious but more dangerous than Covid-19. I was the victim of Swine flu, had a courageous battle and came out successfully. I want to share my near-death experience with you all.
It was a nightmare, started on a Saturday night with a cough, continued on Sunday the whole day severely without leaving for a second. Hubby got me my usual cough medicine which didn't subside and Monday I developed body ache and temperature.
He took me to the dispensary first where they prescribed antibiotics and if not subsiding advised that I have to be taken to the main hospital. I came home and had glucose and electoral with medications and was lying down in bed unable to sleep. Evening Venkat (Hubby) came and gave me Crocin as the temperature was 102. But the temperature was remaining on 102. Tuesday morning I coughed out blood in sputum twice. That is the time he panicked and rushed me to the hospital.
When the symptoms were suggested for Swine Flu, doctors advised me for immediate admission. Swine Flu medications started by keeping me in an isolated room where Venkat alone allowed to be with me. I didn’t even get to meet my daughter got admitted too, she was with my in-laws.
They took swab culture and said it will take 72 hours to know the result. I was confidently telling Venkat that it will be negative. But just like it wanted to fool my result turned out positive and came within 48 hours. The doctor told if positive then my daughter and hubby also should go in for the test. I knew for sure my daughter's result will be positive as she got it first.
On Thursday night I developed breathlessness. I was unable to sleep however the cot was positioned. Sister applied pain balm on my back but no effect. On Friday morning doctor ordered for a bedside chest X-ray. Both hands were pricked for IV so much that no more place to prick any more. Afternoon a junior doctor came in search of Venkat. I told him that he has gone for lunch.
He came for the second time saying it was urgent. So I called him. A senior doctor took him out of the room to say that I have developed ARDS complication of Swine Flu and lungs have been affected big time. And need to be shifted to ICU for observation as high-pressure oxygen to be given and if not improving will have to put me on a ventilator the last stage.
In between people from Government hospital for census purpose were irritating Venkat and asking him if doctors have hope in my recovery which scared him big time. I was shifted to ICU where again I was kept in an isolation room. They tried finding a vein for IV to administer ICU medications but couldn't get. So they called Venkat around midnight and got his signature on a consent form and did a small surgery in my neck around 1 am in the early morning to insert CVP through which medicines can be given easily.
Surrounding was full of monitors which were scaring. I was getting high-pressure oxygen every time. The air to the nose gushed out like a tsunami. Meanwhile, my daughter tested positive and her medications were given at home as paediatrician advised no hospitalisation required.
My daughter will be sending me drawings stating she misses me and want me to come home soon. I was in ICU, my daughter also tested positive at home. Just imagine my husband's situation. God's grace he was tested negative. Saturday morning, he came to see me; I had a big bandage in my neck and he started crying. He told me that he lost hope that I will not recover. We got an opportunity to feel how much we meant for each other.
That is the time I became courageous and cooperated with whatever was told. Chest X-ray started becoming clear. So Monday morning I was shifted back toward. Second swab culture was done and it came negative and got discharged. Solid 13 days I was in the hospital and fourteenth night got discharged.
This is the nightmare that I shared with you. I thank God always for my second life. I encourage everyone to be hopeful and brave. I am a living example to prove we all can beat this virus by staying positive and strong. The more we panic the less we will be able to combat. Stay strong, stay safe!!
No comments:
Post a Comment