‘It’sawful, noflugoeson thislong’– Lixnawnurse
A LIXNAW nurse has told The Kerryman she is among the county’s confirmed COVID-19 cases – and has urged the public to take all necessary precautions to stem the spread of the “awful” illness.
Samantha Stackpoole (27) is a children’s ward nurse at University Hospital Kerry, and she explained that she has been in self-isolation since first showing symptoms of COVID-19 on March 13.
She booked a test the following Wednesday and was tested on March 21, and she said she received a phone call confirming her positive diagnosis on Friday. Given that she suffers from an autoimmune condition and had been
“so scared” of contracting the illness, it was a nightmare scenario.
“I get infusions every six months that lower my immune system, and I take steroids every day as well, which lowers it further. I pick up everything that’s going,” she said. “I was so scared of getting it.
“I started off with a basic sore throat, and the following day I had all your head-cold symptoms. The minute I got the sore throat, I self-isolated. I haven’t been outside the house since. The day after that, I got a very slight, mild cough, but I was very weak as well. That lasted around five or six days.
“I booked a test the following Wednesday and went to a test centre in Tralee a few days later. You drive through, park your car, then they come out, check your name, give you a mask, and you walk in after them. You wash your hands, and they take the swab from your throat and the very back of your nose. You wash your hands again and head away.
“I live with my Mom and my brother. They have been sick as well and have been tested, but they haven’t got results.”
Ms Stackpoole said, while still weak, she improved for a period of a few days before her illness hit back aggressively the day after her test.
“On Sunday, the 22nd, I woke up with pains all over my body. I felt like I’d been hit by a bus. Every part of me was sore.
“I had a constant headache as well. I was taking regular pain relief, but that only gave me a few hours relief from the pains all over my body.
“I really don’t know [where I contracted COVID-19]. Before I went off sick, we had no positive cases on the ward... my last day working there was March 12.”
Ms Stackpoole told The Kerryman she is approaching day 20 of illness and described it as “Much worse than the flu. No flu goes on this long.”
Aside from an antibiotic for her chest, she said her treatment has primarily involved giving it time, drinking regular fluids, taking pain relief, and remaining isolated.
“It is awful, and it will take time to pass,” she said.
“But my biggest fear was that I’d end up in hospital on a ventilator. I was convinced that would happen. I’d tell people to stay at home. They could actually be carrying it and not display symptoms and give it to someone more vulnerable.”