Three Lessons Learned During My COVID-19 Nightmare

It was clear from the onset; this virus was trying to kill me.

I likely ran into the Delta variant, which quickly crashed my immune system and attacked my lungs.?I felt at times like I was fighting COVID, strep throat, and pneumonia all at the same time.?I lost 16 pounds in 9 days and experienced some of the scariest and darkest moments of my life.?This was a real life or death struggle.?

Recovery is still a process. Each day is a little better as my lungs continue to regain their strength.?As I sit here post COVID, I’m left with a few lessons I learned during my journey, and I want to share them in hopes they will help you.?

This is the time to get your immune system in shape. ?If you contract COVID, you are going to war.?Whatever excuse you have been using to avoid getting into tip-top physical condition, I hope this scares you enough to take renewed action and steps toward improving your health.?Regardless of if you are vaccinated or not – keep reading!?

Just a little background on my personal health.?I haven’t been to the doctor or a hospital (except for the birth of my two kids) in roughly twenty years.?The last time I needed medical attention, I crashed my Harley and ended up with a compound fracture of my tibia that required a twelve-inch rod and six screws that run the length of my tibia from my femur to my ankle.?I sold the Harley shortly thereafter…?

When I do get sick, it’s rare and typically lasts a day or two.?I’m generally happy, healthy, and am able to fix wounds and sickness with organic foods and homeopathic remedies.?

I survived this nasty strain of COVID-19 with massive dosages of Dr. Schultze (https://www.herbdoc.com/ ) flu tinctures, vitamins, and eventually some prescribed steroids to help my lungs, but it was a brutal experience I hope you avoid.??

Here are three things I learned during my time with COVID that surprised me:

1. The virus was out to kill me.

It was crystal clear to me that I had never faced any medical condition this intense.?As someone who is constantly monitoring his food, sleep, energy, and working diligently on work-life balance, I was caught off guard by how intense this fight was.

The symptoms first hit as nausea. Eventually my skin broke out in hives that boiled, broke the surface, and turned into scabs over most of my back, shoulders, and chest.?

The virus then found its way to my lungs and throat where it tried to drown me in fluid.?I was running a high fever and my blood oxygen level was crashing down into the mid-80s, which I learned was a near-death level.?Luckily, a phone consult with an integrated physician quickly got me a prescription for my lungs that went to work while I spent a few days breathing through an oxygen tank.?

In hindsight, I probably would not have made it if I was not in good physical shape to begin with.?Because I was not expecting the intensity of the virus, I incorrectly assumed my body would handle the viral attack with much less damage.

So, do not be overly confident. Take this virus very seriously and make sure you have a physician on call that you can consult with if things take a turn for the worse.?

2. Vaccinations don’t prevent you from getting COVID-19

Regrettably, I met my friend for dinner just prior to showing symptoms.?As soon as I became ill, I texted him to let him know and he confirmed he had contracted it as well.?He then went on to tell me he got the Pfizer vaccine in May.?Here’s an article for more data: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/delta-variant-pfizer-covid-vaccine-39percent-effective-in-israel-prevents-severe-illness.html

What I now understand is that vaccines make it harder to contract COVID and lessen the severity of the symptoms. That was true for my friend; he had a tough week but did not experience symptoms nearly as intense as I did.?

However, vaccines alone do not prevent from contracting COVID and suffering from the symptoms. Whether or not you are vaccinated, it is important to focus on immune system and health now.?This is not something you can delegate or trust a vaccination to solve for you.?There will be more COVID variants, and while vaccinations will help they are not the end all be all to protect yourself.?Each of us needs to take responsibility for our health and ensure we are ready to fight a war with COVID if that day comes.?

3. There are things I can do better going forward.

Life may be shorter than I imagined just ten days ago.?I don’t know if my day to meet my maker will be in eight months or eighty years, but I intend to be better prepared for both.

I am using this experience as to determine what I can do better going forward. I am going ?to determine where the chinks in my armor are and work on bolstering my defenses.?

It’s also a time to narrow my focus on what is most important to my legacy, my personal enjoyment of life, and building memories with my family.?We truly have no time to waste.?

“Say no to 1,000 things!” – Steve Jobs

Steve had this one right. We have to say NO to the things that are not a hell YES!?I first read this quote in his biography a decade ago - it’s time I learn how to implement the wisdom into my personal and business life so I make sure there is time to say YES to what’s most important.

In closing, I hope my COVID nightmare provided you some insight into how serious this issue is and helps motivate you to take action on your health.?Stop putting off what you know you should be doing to take care of yourself and your family.?This is truly life and death - use this as leverage to take the steps you need to take to change and live a happier, healthier life.??