‘I don’t take surviving Covid-19 for granted’

It is scary how the ravaging Covid19 virus continues to persist around the world.

SA has passed 1.5 million positive cases, with 47,145 deaths reported at the time of writing. These statistics are not just numbers but human beings – someone’s parents, mother, brother, uncle or sister.

The second wave of the Covid-19 virus is wreaking havoc in our country. When you get tested and the results come out positive, you start worrying, wondering what next. You engage the daily Covid19 statistics... in panic mode.

As usual, I spent my festive season with my parents at home in Limpopo last year. Everything was fine until December 28. I could feel I wasn’t myself during the day. I had burning eyes for the better part of that day with a mild runny nose. I did not have an appetite. I took it lightly.

The light gave way to darkness and I went to bed. At midnight I started experiencing abdominal pains. I’ve had stomach ulcers before and I could tell I was having acid reflux.

Everyone was up in the house. They were looking at me helplessly crouching on the couch with my arms pressed hard to my stomach. The first thing my parents did was to call their specialist doctor who didn’t answer his phone.

My younger brother started his car in the wee hours of the morning and we drove almost 60km from our rural village to town where my parents’ doctor’s offices are located. It was the longest drive to town I’ve ever done. We arrive at the hospital and we are told doctors’ rooms are closed for Christmas. We therefore had to consult at casualty.

I left the hospital at noon with medication after being placed on a drip for hours. The pain was having its moments, going away for almost half an hour or so and coming back really hard.

I cut my visit home short and drove back to Pretoria for further consultation. By this time I had lost my sense of smell and taste. The doctor immediately ordered that I test for Covid-19. The results came out positive. That’s when my mind started playing tricks on me.

I was careful and obeyed Covid19 regulations religiously. I wore my mask accordingly. I washed and sanitised my hands without fail. I had a sanitiser in my car all the time, which I used. I was shocked. How did I get the virus when I was always this careful?

I religiously took my prescribed meds, and did a lot of steaming with rocks and eucalyptus oil. I took a lot of hot water with lemon and ginger.

I am one of the lucky lot that survived without having had difficulty breathing or being hospitalised. I am thankful to God that he shielded my parents and siblings from this deadly virus.

I am thankful to my family at large for the support they have given me... and to my colleagues who sent messages of support.

It would be wrong of me if I do not thank my employer. I appreciate the health and wellness unit who took time to call and offer words of encouragement.

To all those who have lost family members to this deadly virus, God will heal you and give you strength to bounce back. To all those who’ve tested positive and are isolating, take heart.

To you and I who’ve survived this deadly virus, do not take this for granted. We’ve been given a second chance.

Sono is a communications practitioner in the department of higher education and training.