Day 5 now
I had 2 days of terrible headaches and coughing, and the kids had a high fever for a couple of days.
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How did it happen?
I started to feel an itch on my throat before our departure to Manila. I thought it was just the typical itch I get after a full day of talking. Also, I have a 9-day negative PCR test so I didn’t take it differently. (In Dubai, the validity of a negative test result is 14 days.)
But during the flight, it got worse. I developed a bad cough and my headache got really bad.
My body grew tired of the 9-hour flight. (Too tired I didn’t have the energy to argue with the authorities about our lost baggage.)
Upon reaching home, I did a self-test and it came out negative. Since it’s negative, I went to mingle with our welcoming families over dinner.
My condition just got worse. I decided to isolate myself in one room.
The following 24 hours gave me the most terrible headache I have ever felt. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t sleep at night — no fever — just intense headache with tears and painful coughing.
The next day, the kids got high fevers – 39 and 40C.
We observed for a half day and when we see they were not going down, we went to the emergency room of The Medical City in Pasig. They were given tests for dengue as apparently there’s an outbreak. Results were negative. We waited for 3 hours for their fever to subside then we were sent home.
We received our COVID test results that night. We’re all POSITIVE.
We were told to stay isolated until 14 days (as per the hospital’s email). They did not give additional medications.
Today I’m feeling much better, though my head is still cloudy because of the meds (and they make me sleep all day.)
Aya’s fever is still on and off until now, and the coughing continues for Aya. Buyboy has no fever anymore.
Raqz had a minor headache and a sore throat. Yun lang. (Maharlika talaga).
Our nanny developed headaches, fever, and sore throat too.
Nothing but a grateful heart
While in this situation, we’re reminded of many things that we’re grateful for.
We can’t be thankful enough for the love of our parents and my bro-in-law Ryan. They bought us everything we needed (and wanted), did errands for us, and assisted us to and from the hospital. They also prepared all of our meals every day from breakfast, lunch, and dinner and snacks too. (Just too bad we cannot eat with them). They also gave the kids some toys to kill their boredom. (They’re really bored!)
My mom makes us salabat too which largely gives us relief.
Also thankful for our tireless nanny who stays alert and is very helpful even if she’s also sick.
Thankful for our nurse cousins who were very helpful during the time we needed guidance on medications and how to navigate through this unfamiliar COVID situation.
Thankful for our friends around the world, for your thoughtfulness, and for the food deliveries. (Hindi kami papayat nito hehe)
And of course, I’m very thankful that Raqz fights her sickness. She’s one step ahead of everything. She never looked and acted sick at all. She’s on top of everything.
When we got the results, she told me, “Don’t worry God is with us.” Then we were reminded of God’s promise to not fear, for indeed God is with us… He will strengthen us and help us. (as written in Isaiah 41:10)
This isolation, albeit a challenging one, has been a moment of reflection and prayers. Staying positive amidst the positive, and relying on the comfort that’s only coming from the Lord our ultimate healer.
Take-away
Actually, Raqz asked me to take a PCR test before our flight, but I insisted that I was just stressed from work. Also, my gut feeling was telling me if I get positive, we cannot fly. We’ve been waiting for so long for this trip after 3 years and it would be a huge disappointment if it gets postponed.
On second thought, if I tested positive in Dubai, yes our flight will be called off, but it would be much easier to manage the situation in Dubai since we are very familiar with the processes and facilities.
But then God is very much in control. With our decision, he allowed us to experience the love and care coming from our family. By his grace, he use our family to help us get through the situation.
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Photo: That’s the view outside our room where we’re isolated. How fitting is the rainbow?
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