Really, seriously…..I thought it was just another dang sinus infection or a summer head cold. I get them all the time. It was late August. My mom had passed away two weeks earlier. I was back to work and started feeling the early sinusitis symptoms coming on. It developed into post nasal drip, a cough, sinus pressure, a slight sore throat and a headache. I felt weak and sluggish though, and mistakened it as a result of the daily rigors my retail job catching up with my 54 year-old-body. I had some light headedness and a little vertigo accompanying ringing in my ears. Again, thought it was all attributable to a sinus infection. I got dehydrated on the job one night during a truck unload and went home early. Slept a lot the next day and went back to work the following day still not feeling quite right. The thought then occurred to me I could have Covid-19. But no, how can that be? I wore a mask religiously, social distanced, washed my hands, and took all the recommended precautions to avoid getting it. Naw, I told myself. Can’t be! It’s just another sinus infection. Next day, Sunday August 30th I felt worse, and my heart rate was up too. I was worried about my blood pressure.( I am being treated for it and on meds.) So, then I decided to go to urgent care. Well, they told me I had at least 5 symptoms consistent with Covid-19. I had to stay in my car and a medical tech came out and took my temperature. I had a fever of 101 degrees. I didn’t feel like I had a fever, I mean after all it was late August and it was 96 degrees with high humidity, typical that time of year. Took the rapid test and they sent me home. Thirty minutes later I got the call. I had it. Congratulations Les! You just joined the Covid-19 club.
And so began my 10 day self-quarantine period. I told my wife and she went out to get tested immediately. Thankfully, she tested negative and never got it. I thank God for keeping her safe. The doctor put me on Dexamethasone for three days and I felt fine by day 4 of my self-quarantine. I was told by the doctor’s office and health department that the virus affects people differently. I had a slight loss of sense of smell, but didn’t lose my sense of taste. I pretty much stayed in the master bedroom the whole time. My wife brought me meals, leaving them outside the bedroom door, and whenever I did come out, it was brief and I wore a mask to protect her. Anytime I stepped out of the bedroom unannounced she’d appear asking what I was doing and making sure I had my mask on, then run me back into my room. I started calling her The Warden on Facebook. People laughed at that but she was not amused. I was though! We did FaceTime from separate bedrooms. That was weird. But we made it work and we would do scripture studies that way so we could stay consistent in that area. I had my dog with me the whole time. I’d mask up and take him outside to do his thing then return to the bedroom. I read a lot during those ten days.I read six mystery novels and read scriptures, daily devotions, and the news. I prayed a lot and spent time with my Heavenly Father. It was a time to meditate and reflect, and it was time to heal from losing my mom only two weeks earlier. I rested my body, my mind, my soul.
The self-quarantine ended and I retested. I was eager to go back to work. Fortunately, I was out on paid medical leave and couldn’t return until I tested negative. I still tested positive and had to sit out for another two weeks before the virus finally left me and I was able to test negative. My paid medical leave covered the entire time I was out which was almost a whole month. What a blessing! I am thankful God saw to it that I got that paid leave. My wife never contracted it and is still clear of it. She was amazing during my self-quarantine. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through it without her. She truly is a gift from God and I would absolutely do the same for her.
I’ve been back to work almost a month now. I feel fine. Still wearing a mask and taking the same precautions. I realize it could’ve been much worse with my high blood pressure and asthma issues. This episode gave me time to think about many things. I’m grateful for all the things God has done for me. I realize time on earth is fleeting. I’m grateful to be up and ready to serve Him everyday. Life is sweeter with Him than without Him.
Always On My Mind by Les Westbrook 