The Recovery 2

All is well… in my life till 8th Apr’21 and it started with a mild cough in the evening. I had my precautionary measures but some illness. I spoke to my wife and she said that — it might be just a normal cough. Call it the 6th sense, call it the inner mind… I found my body something different.

I have given my RTPCR test on the 9th and asked to wait till 24hrs to get the report. Soon I’m at home… I’ve isolated myself as I don’t want to be a man of virus who wants to spread the same to my family.

10th Apr — Morning 4 am when I received an email stating that I was tested +ve, I was tensed and I informed the same to my wife. She gave me an induction stove(I can cook well) and all other needed items to survive

It took 30 days to recover:

Yes… You read it right. It took 30 days to get an official -ve report(Maybe I am one of the unique and rarest people without hospitalization and but spent a long time in isolation. I deserve an award for this). My wife got all the necessary medicines for week 1(suggested by Govt. the health care center for free)and I haven’t consulted any doctor in week 1 as these medicines are the common medicines given by Government.

Day 1 and 2 just with loneliness and no recovered from cough too. But day 3/4/5 is considered as 1st worst phase. I got affected with fever 104–105 + severe body pain ++ severe back pain. I was unable to have any food which is offered by my wife. I was unable to move at all. I have spent 22hrs in bed. I cannot consult my physiotherapist. I have called different people and many said that back pain is not a factor and even I know that but this pain didn’t allow me to do anything. It was even hard to boil some water from the induction stove. I was unable to eat healthy food due to fever and pain.

A lot of calls from my family and at some point I shouted at my wife for free advice. I somehow started worrying a lot. I was only worried about my baby. I was worried that I die before I see her success. We used to interact virtually but that didn’t help me at all. I cried cried cried all day and yes my wife family and my friends gave me enough words to make me stable.

On day 6, I decided to go to the hospital. I tried via ola/uber and said that I’m +ve patient but had all denied - nothing wrong with them as they have their own fear and I cannot lie and but I cannot hide my face. I must inform them. I called an ambulance from one of the hospitals and I was shocked at the pricing. 9000 INR to drop and 9000 INR to return. 18000INR just to consult an emergency doctor??? They started negotiating and came down to 12000 INR. I still denied it, considering how commercial they are and how situations create hikes in pricing

On day 7, I had to go via ambulance to a different hospital for 8000INR(I can fly 2 times via air with 8k) overall. To be frank I was not comfortable with the pains I have and I strongly believed that if the pain gets controlled, everything gets controlled. I was asked to get admitted after the initial investigation and I have asked them… how will they treat me. They said that I will be given a “remdesivir injection” for 5 days and then get discharged. I thought that this is not needed for me and I ignored it. I returned by nothing and by paying 8K INR to the ambulance

Day8–10, Now it’s time for me to know what’s happening inside me. As suggested by my friends- all necessary blood tests and CT scans are done. I have consulted a doctor from a valid resource online. After observing my reports — doctors from different sources suggested that I should get admitted. My Spo2 levels are good but reports are bad. Yes/No discussions… confusion and tension. However new medicine for the body started working well. Fever in control — pains in control but thought of having to consult a pulmonologist. Maybe the best doctor I have met made me clear that my condition is in a moderate to severe state but can be controlled without getting admitted. He added a few more medicines from the existing and then I technically recovered.

I started eating food. My digestive system started working like earlier. I was able to breathe easy and I started demanding my favorite food too

The -ve factor: It was on day 15, I gave my sample considering that I would -ve but +ve, again on day 22 it is +ve and finally on day 30 its -ve.

The best and worst things I’ve done by me in this period:

Best ones:

1) I haven’t taken any chance and gone to isolation on the test day itself. I have dropped from my favorite star movie which I have reserved in a theatre nearby and only 1 reason is … I don’t get an unfortunate credit by spreading to others.

2) After day 15 — when I was technically recovered, I started working along with people in helping them get an ambulance and beds. I started calling the needy soon as I woke up. The used my best energy levels, and my only intention is to help as many as possible with my strength

3) After day 15 — I started more thinking about how technology can be used for the next 3–5yrs at home as we never know how the situations can be and I strongly believe that what we speak and what we do, should also be applied in the home. I framed some plans for my kid's future(unsure on how that goes but can give it a shot)

4) Started realizing the myths and facts and covid. Ruled out some statements

5) I haven’t taken an official doctor to advice from the day and I still support my statement as the medicines which I got it is the common and basic dose for 1st 7 days and 7 days is a testing period for anyone. Also, I took the medicine from the Govt. health care center, and even If I approach the doctor the same might have repeated

6) I haven’t taken any liberty to step into the home even after I was fit technically.

7) I have interacted with my baby virtually- Virtual shaking hands, Virtual kissing, and virtual dancing.

8) I have ensured that my house is fully sanitized.

9) I have written my own rules to win the battle. Some of the rules are really tough.

10) Yes.. after day 22 I started roaming in the main room with a mask and I touched and kissed my baby on day 31. She hugged me for hrs. That was the most emotional moment ever and are in our world for 3+ days

and the worst thing I’ve done is… maybe I shouldn’t have shouted at my wife a few times in the initial days… and I say that it's the pain which made me shout aloud. I have disconnected the calls from my friends and even my mother. However, I’m always happy to say sorry and thank you for all of them. A lot of data and advice in tough times made me more confused and as I said 22hrs on the bed for 3 days is never easy

Some key lessons learned and advice in this period:

→ Money matters a lot. Earn ethically and save money for health separately apart from insurance.

→ Good money + Good health = the real asset

→ Maintain a very good social network as your connections can save you in an emergency.

→ Best way to get diverted is nothing but something which makes you laugh so that your facial reaction changes. I have watched stage shows and more which makes me laugh

→ Be a good person as possible as the more good you are, and more prayers for you.

→ This might be tough to do but question anyone if you have any doubt. That can be a doctor or any official

→ As soon as you are good to move — try to help others and this is nothing but giving back to society

→ I haven’t halted my passion too. I have delivered 3 sessions from day 20 to 30.

→ There is … there will be no force that will ever stop you if you have good intentions.

→ It is you who can save you which means — Understand your body. I haven’t taken each and everything which was advised as my mind said no to it.

Eg: You cannot bathe in hot water when are in hot summer.

→ Covid is the kind of state where everyone has information but no 1 has complete information. You can expect a piece of new news daily.

→ A lot of people say that you should be strong mentally and that’s true but what makes you fear is data. You are a lone isolated person and for every interval, you have to monitor your temperature and oxygen levels. A visible high-low number changes your mind. Your numbers act like data signals to your mind which makes you happy/worried.

→ Never ever be your own doctor. Never take any medicine unless consulted by Doctor.

→ Isolation is the only time to re-invent your life… Do it with passion.

→ You need 1 personal doctor who can communicate at the earliest. Identify them. Then can save you irrespective of the place you are…

Finally, if I have to thank anyone… the 1st person will be my wife who ensured that I have all good food, and took care of my baby and house. The lady who used to respond as soon I call even in Ooohrs and my doctor… who gave enough confidence so that I can be treated well at home. + my mother & family + my friends and all my well-wishers

Thank you so much for reading

Madhu Vadlamani