Background
My sister’s roora (lobola ceremony) was scheduled, precautionary measures were put in place: hand washing and sanitation stations, masks for attending guests. In addition, the number of guests had been minimized according to legislation. However, a few days post the event, we found 7 members falling sick with the Corona virus: both my parents, my sister, my sister in law, my brother in law, my niece and myself. All of a sudden we were part of those statistics we saw daily on the news. We neither know when nor how we got it, but at that point we knew we had a bumpy and uncertain ride ahead. I write this blog post to share my experience as well as to inform people of what I didn’t know about COVID-19 that I learnt that could also save a life.
Post Diagnosis
Immediately after diagnosis, we were advised on purchasing some medicine to boost our immune systems and also a device called a pulse oximeter ( a small, clip-like device that attaches to a finger to read oxygen bodily concentration). We then went home, seperated people who were positive from those who were negative. My brother was fortunately negative and did the running around getting more medicines, fruits and food supplies.
The experience
On the 2nd of January upon diagnosis, we went home with medicines that had been written on the prescription. Since 3 people of the diagnosed had underlying conditions, this was a fragile and dicey situation needing special attention. Although my sister had been tested negative before depature (false negative), upon arrival at South Africa she fell sick and was tested again to be found positive of covid-19.
Daily Routine
My daily routine was waking up early in the morning, checking on everyone’s vitals i.e. blood pressure, blood glucose, pulse and oxygen saturation. After taking note of that on a piece of paper, I would ensure everyone took their daily dose of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc and a traditional concoction drink with ginger, lemon, zumbani and a few other herbs. Initially the concoction tasted bad, but when you’re sick, all you want is to return to good health and wont mind how bad the meds taste.
Later in the day I would Nebulize everyone with a home nebulizing kit my pharmacist sister had bought for us just in case. We used silver ion which is intended to inhibit the virus from spreading. After a few hours we would then do the traditional steaming a.k.a “kunatira” where you’d have a bucket of hot water which would have droplets of eucaliptus oil / vics vapour rub or tsunami oil and close your head in with a blanket and inhale. The purpose was to clear mucus in the airways and be able to reach the lungs.
Hospitals Full
Around the 8th things got hectic, my dad got a bit more severe with his oxygen levels dipping down to the 70s. My mother and I frantically drove out at 2am with my dad, trying to find a hospital that could accommodate him but we went through all the designated COVID-19 centers in Harare (St Annes, Parirenyatwa, Health Point) which all turned us down on account of being full to capacity. Health Point doctors managed to check my dad’s vitals and told us it was okay for him to go home as he was somewhat stable.
The following day things did not improve and the situation was deteriorating. We then learnt of a machine called an oxygen concentrator which aided with concentrating the 20% O2 in air to almost 90% O2 to help with breathing. We desperately bought it for a hefty $1200 USD since were in dire need. It did sustain my dad for a bit and he showed gratitude that it was helping him with breathing. He stabilized a bit.
Night of havoc
On the night of the 10th, I was having difficulties sleeping worried about my dad and I would go check on him in the middle of the night if he was okay. That night I had checked him around 1AM int he morning, I woke up again at 3AM and since I was also sick and tired, I convinced myself to check on him in the morning, but my 6th sense told me to just get out of bed. So I did, and alas, 3:05 before I got to him electricity (ZESA) went out, I tried to power up the backup solar batteries and to my surprise, they were empty. I then ran to the generator and it wouldn’t light up the whole house, so I resorted to connecting the concentrator directly to the generator, upon success I then realized the fuel was low. It would sound like a movie but I was there in the middle of all this chaos while my dad was struggling to breathe. Fortunately my brother managed to go buy fuel aroung 3:30 and we managed to get the conentrator working again. I felt like this was an attack from the devil and God is the one who waked me up just before the electricity went to help my father.
The following day I woke up tired, but little did I know that thats when I needed to be strongest. The concentrator was working but my dad’s spO2 was dropping, and uncle who is a medical doctor then recommended that my dad used oxygen tanks. We had to buy the tanks and there were long queues owing to high oxygen demands. We were fortunate that we managed to get tanks which would sustain him but getting replacements was not easy – at some point him oxygen tank was about to run out and there were no available replacements- but again, the Lord was merciful and we managed to secure one.
Home Ward
Since we could not find hospitals, we were refered to Rapha Clinic which had doctors assisting and visiting patients at home. Though pricey, this is what we had to resort to. At that point we had to turn one of the bedrooms into a ward. Hanging a drip on a cloth hanger. (img) We had most things from drips to cannulas to medication that is in a hospital and the nurse would come and administer injections. I also had to learn and at some point found myself replacing a cannula – with the aid of my nurse cousin – when it had broken off. May the Lord bless these selfless individuals who risked their lived visiting positive patient to positive patient without rest.
Spirituality
In all of this, I knew this was not only a physical war we were fighting. I went in to our prayer room daily and talked to God, asking for his mercy, asking him to fight for us. I communicated with my aunt who helped and strengthened me in prayer. I would like to believe that as a Christian, that is when I honestly started to experience what faith is and I let go of my knowledge and understanding and put my trust in God as the situation was beyond me. I also prayed for God’s strength to help me take care of my parents and family till they were recovered everyday.
Hospitalization
Things took a different turn on the 10th when his spO2 levels dropped down to as low as 48%. For reference you can look at this chart as to what that entails. I had to learn about pulse oxymetry to understand the figures and raise an alarm when need be. The visiting doctors were also kind an available on Whatsapp.
In God’s time – after 10days of searching, we heard there was a hospital with a vacant bed about 40Km out. Without hesitation, we contacted an ambulance (which was charging exorbitantly – taking advantage of desperation). Upon arrival at the hospital, he was received by a doctor who took care of him for 3 nights and by the grace of God, he survived and managed to come back home as he recovered. It took him a further 2 weeks of daily physiotherapy to assist him improve his breathing until he was fully recovered.
During that period, the company I was interning for gave me a leave for the duration of the quarantine period till we were recovered and offered all sorts of support, including financial if need be. I found this to be a great gesture of love which defines the type of company they are. I really appreciated this.
Closing thoughts
In all honesty, I do believe that this was a miracle and God fought for us and the doctors complimented those efforts. I really am grateful for us all being able to recover, considering the number of deaths happening all around.
I do pray for all those battling for their lives in the hospitals and those who are mourning their loved ones they have lost. May they find comfort in the Lord in these difficult times. I would like to thank everyone who stood strong with me and my family in these rough days, from family and friends who dropped off fruits and medications at the gate, lent us money to fit some of the bills and who were strong with us in prayer during that period. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.
Images? Dates right!
