127. MY COVID-19 EXPERIENCE

                                            MY COVID-19 EXPERIENCE
                                                        Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
                                                                                3 January 2021

I wrote an article in mid-February last year and posted in social media so people would know how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV. I scribbled two other articles honoring two great Filipinos who succumbed to the virus; my cardiologist Dr. Roberto V. Anastacio and my former boss, Senator Heherson T. Alvarez. I never thought of writing another essay on the Corona Virus since I normally pen history-related articles to increase the consciousness of my readers and the netizens on Philippine history, culture and the arts. This time, my article touched not only the pandemic but my experience as a COVID-19 survivor.

I am now included in the world statistics on COVID positive individuals under the country’s code name CV3967. I had my tests on December 4 after I felt I had fever and muscle pains. I went straight to the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of my hometown Cabatuan from my office at the Provincial Capitol of Isabela in the City of Ilagan. My rapid and antigen turned out positive and I was asked to distance myself from the booth. I called my wife who was at the munisipyo and asked her to come over including my two kids. I underwent the irritating RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) or swabbing procedure which I first experienced last October after a colleague in the Capitol turned positive of the same virus. My daughter was also positive in all three tests while my wife and son were negative in both the rapid and antigen but later turned positive after their swab. My daughter and I proceeded to our mini farm in the nearby barangay and the following day, we were quarantined at the Echague District Hospital (EDH). My wife and two kids were asymptomatic. I also gave a list of all persons I had close acquaintance recently for the MHO and DILG contact tracers not to have a hard time searching. Over a dozen officemates and friends were tested positive. I never exerted effort in researching how I got the Corona Virus believing it would be unfair to pinpoint.

For over a week I had high fever. My taste buds and sense of smell were not functioning and a couple of days before the 13th, I started having difficulty in breathing. The chief of hospital decided that I should be transferred at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City for a more complicated medical attention. In coordinated efforts with our Provincial Administrator and my bosses, the PDRRMO D.A.R.T. Rescue 831 ambulance brought me to CVMC.

I was teary eyed when I left my daughter at EDH who stayed there for another week. I was so sad thinking she might not see me alive again and be orphaned at a young age. The only thing which consoled me was her statement when I was asking for forgiveness for transmitting the virus to her and the family. She said, “Daddy, okay lang yan. Lahat ng tao magkaka-COVID, nauna lang tayo”. I was amazed to hear these words from a 14-year old and these phrases kept murmuring in my thoughts for the next two weeks of my stay in the hospital.

I was groggy when I reached CVMC; however, I can still remember some of the procedures done to me. Medical practitioners who were in full personal protective equipment (PPE) extracted blood from me a number of times. I had ECG (Electrocardiogram) and x-ray and my temperature was regularly monitored.

I still had trouble breathing when I reached this big hospital which prompted the medical team to provide a ventilator (or Continous Positive Airway Pressure [CPAP]) to mechanically assist me to inhale air. I used the apparatus for about ten days until I can breathe on my own. I believe I was able to consume over a dozen big medical oxygen tanks.

I had intravenous (IV) medications for the next ten days. The nurses administered directly into the venous circulation via a syringe or IV catheter (tube) the anti viral and antibiotics prescribed by the medical specialists. At one instance, I screamed in pain from past midnight until dawn when the medicine entered me through IV. I was later informed that the fluid might be thick or viscous. The IV cannula which was on my right hand was transferred trice; another on the left and twice on my right hand due to the swollen veins.

An inflatable cuff of the digital sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor or gauge) was attached to my right arm and inflates from time to time plus a pulse oximeter was placed on my right forefinger. These two devices were attached on a cardiac monitor above my bed. My sugar, through a glucose meter, was checked twice a day and this pained my finger tips severely.

I slept most of the time on my hospital cot for over a week. I normally gazed at the window pane staring at the endless rain until I doze off. Whenever I awoke, I browsed the net particularly Facebook (FB) and answered messages in my inbox in short notes. Endless words of comfort flooded my cellphone and numerous pals, relatives and virtual friends offered prayers for me, my wife Jasmin and my two kids Jason Alexander and Jasmine Alexandra. The gloomy skies and continuous rains seemed to compliment my sorry state during most of my stay in this medical facility located in southern Cagayan province. I was all alone. No relative or bantay can assist me whenever there was a necessity to visit the restroom and other needs. No one to share my pain and growing anxiety. I need to wait for the regular rounds of medical frontliners to see another soul. Aside from the loneliness, I am very bothered on the plight of my family. I was assured by my wife; however, that they were okay and still asymptomatic. My daughter was brought home from EDH on the 19th which lessened my worries. Despite my failing health, I never forgot to monitor my staff and other friends who I believed was infected by me and who were on quarantine. Thanks God they were in good state with minor symptoms like the loss of smell and taste.

I noticed that my health was improving when I can already feel the needles and when my stomach crumbles telling me to eat more aside from the daily food and merienda rations. Fortunately, the brother-in-law of my staff who is a resident of Caggay, Tuguegarao City provided me with all the food I requested and craved including my noche buena for the tragic year 2020. My health improved gradually and I regained my strength after losing around 15 pounds. I was regularly monitored by the doctors on duty every morning who relied on the previous daily tests and other procedures including two swab tests. Before Christmas Eve, the nurse on duty removed my swero including the ventilator. I can now move freely but with extreme carefulness and precaution. I moved but walked slowly since I can feel that I still lacked energy and was afraid to stumble or fall.

On the fateful day of the 26th, I was discharged with the condition that I quarantine myself at home for another seven days. I also decided to lock myself down for another week, making it 14 days, to make sure I could rest more and fully recover. I was also asked to report back to CVMC on January 12 for a check-up.

The Bombo Radyo Cauayan anchors texted twice, on different dates, if they could have an interview regarding my COVID-19 experience so the people would know and learn how it feels and the risk of having the virus. Twice, I turned them down and informed them that I am still sick and it would be awkward to talk about the disease if I have not fully recovered yet, besides I am still on my hospital bed.

Today, after my 7th day home quarantine, Bombo Radyo texted me if there is a possibility of an interview live on their Sunday segment “Good Morning Philippines” and this time I granted the request. Bombo Maia Jacob featured me for over 45 minutes. Concluding the interview, I was tasked to give some advices to the public. I encouraged everyone to strictly follow the protocols like the wearing of face masks and shield, social distancing, washing of hands, avoiding crowds and other ways to protect oneself from the dreaded virus. Second, I pleaded to the netizens and the listeners of the radio station to be responsible. If one feels any COVID symptoms, make sure to isolate immediately and not roam around. It is the utmost responsibility of an individual to report to the nearby health office for guidance. Third and lastly, I requested the public to practice and exert “extra effort”. It is not the sole obligation and responsibility of the government to oblige the public to follow rigorously the Task Force laid protocols. Every ordinary Filipino must exert effort to inform their immediate family members, at the least, to be cautious and follow the basic rules in going out in public. In this manner, the spread of the virus can be contained and eventually stopped.

I thank the Lord for giving me my third life, the second was when I underwent angiogram and found out I had cardiomyopathy three years ago. The endless prayers and comfort I received through FB and text, gave me additional strength to overcome another challenge in my 46 years of existence. Aside from medical care extended by our modern day heroes, to be able to survive this contagious COVID-19, one needs the support of family and friends, the strong will to live and the blessing of the Almighty.