My COVID-19 Journey

Where do I start? Some would say, "at the beginning." Since I am not exactly sure where that is, I will start here and weave my way through as best I can. Today is Day 8 - [Disclaimer: This protocol is what worked for me. Everyone is different]

- Day 1 - Last Tuesday (14 February) started as any other day, then, it started in the evening. It was a persistent low volume hacking cough. No fever. I didn't get much sleep as it continued throughout the night.

- Day 2 - Wednesday (15 February) morning, the volume had increased and the dry hack had turned to a wet cough, irritating my bronchial tubes. I thought that it might be the beginning of Bronchitis. I was able to teach the virtual Bible Study class by turning the microphone off between speaking. After Bible Study the cough had become violent and full of thick WHITE PHLEGM. I had developed a RUNNY NOSE and extremely SORE THROAT. My throat was burning and with each cough, it felt as if it was being scrubbed with sand paper or a scouring pad. I took the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test that was mailed to our home. It gave a positive result in less than five minutes. So, I moved into the guest bedroom to quarantine, practicing CDC Guidelines for social distancing, masks, and hand washing. Frequently during the day, I practiced deep breathing exercises [deep breathe in through nose, mouth closed - exhale slowly through mouth]. This is a daily routine. No fever register on the digital thermometer but I had Night Sweats.

- Day 3 - Thursday (16 February) - LD cooked grits, bacon and eggs for breakfast. The wet cough and sore throat were worse. I drank Chamomile tea mixed with lemon juice and local honey, took Robitussin-DM and Vitamin D3. I ate Chick-fil-A chicken soup and Nabisco saltine crackers. Called and left a message for my primary care provider. Was referred to one of several Urgent Care facilities in the area. Now, this really motivated to fight this Coronavirus with wholistic/natural meds. No fever. Night sweat.

- Day 4 - Friday (17 February) - LD cooked pancakes for breakfast since he would not be available for Saturday morning pancakes. Symptoms for the day: Wet cough - Headache - Upper abdominal pain (late pm) -Coughed until I vomited. Coughed so hard that I tore muscle on rib cage under left breast. It burned like fire. I screamed so loud that it frightened the fur babies. Notified friends and family of my medical status. The torn muscle made the sore throat seem less severe. WR advised me to get CoQ10, Zinc, and vitamins C & D. KLL and 2nd Heartbeat advised me to sit upright as much as possible. Ate Chick-fil-A chicken soup and crackers for lunch. Ate small portions of Mashed potatoes and steak for the evening meal. No fever. Night sweat. Purchased Qunol CoQ10, Nature's Bounty vitamin C + Zinc and Nature's Truth Zinc tablets from CVS. $54.40 - Purchased Halls honey lemon cough drops from Walgreens $8.67.

- Day 5 - Saturday (18 February) - Ate Cheerios/almond milk for breakfast. A steam shower helped open the congested sinuses. The tender spot at the site of the torn muscle would sting/burn each time I coughed. It was a big day for Mending Vessels Ministry's Annual -"GUARD YOUR HEART" Program. KLL facilitated to save my voice. Thank you Pooh for an informative and successful virtual event. Afterwards, I was welcomed to the "COVID Club" by BP and others. They shared their COVID symptoms and gave me tips for natural remedies. They recommended an Oximeter to monitor my oxygen level and pulse rate. KM suggested applying Castor Oil on the bottom my feet to draw out toxins. My personal research yielded the need for "BROMELAIN" from pineapple to prevent the COVID virus from binding to cells. CNP MR called. We reviewed the protocol for foods - over the counter (OTC) medications and AEROBIC exercises. Meals consisted of more chicken soup from Chick-fil-A and a Salmon dinner w/salad and Broccoli from the Olive Garden. - Created a quick reference Excel spreadsheet on foods and OTC Meds to fight COVID. I declared this as a physical war between my body and the Coronavirus. I am in a fight for my life. The latest symptom to join the attack was Dry, scratchy eyes.

- Day 6 - Sunday (19 February) - After letting the fur babies out into the back yard, I then back to bed. I was exhausted from Saturday. LD attended virtual worship. I drank pineapple juice and made a grilled cheese sandwich. It was not a good as my big sister's, but it was edible. Sipped Green lemon tea. The pain on the left side of my chest was very sharp. Took 600mg Ibuprofen at 0900 - Vitamin C +Zinc - Vitamin D -CoQ10 - super beet Gummie. My lip split, but my Temp was only 97. This was the hardest day to date: at 1005am, violent diarrhea - lower gas pains - sweating profusely - nausea - light headedness. It was a real struggle to get from the bathroom back to the bed. I was soaked with sweat from my ankles to the crown of my head. Not sure where the strong breeze/chill came from. Rolled onto my stomach, let out the loudest, longest burp that I have ever heard. I struggled to pull up the covers and then passed out. Later LD returned home from the drugstore and awakened me. I got a small burst of energy after going outside in the sunshine and breathing in fresh air. Cleaned off the dresser and worked making the Quarantine space more comfortable, most importantly having a chair to sit upright in for breathing exercises. More chicken Soup for dinner. The dry eyes were starting to concern me. Was this virus trying to claim my sight?

LD purchased from Walgreens a Pulse Oximeter - Walgreens wide bandage - Walgreens Cod Liver Oil (Vit D & Vit A) - Robitussin DM - Planter Cashews - $97.16 - 4.00 cash reward $93.16. Purchased from Kroger, cashews - bananas - and pineapple juice - $21.91. Ordered desperately needed Rib Wraps from Amazon. Initial test - Oximeter 96 oxygen/pulse 53 - at 11pm 97 oxy/67 pulse. At 1144pm took Sudafed to relieve sinus pressure. My nose was sensitive to my eyeglasses and I could feel pain above my top teeth. Long conversations with sister, daughter and granddaughter. Of the two main request that I have of God. One is to not die alone. I appreciate my sister staying on the phone with me when I fought the battle in the bathroom.

- Day 7- Monday (20 February) - President's Day. Was wet from night sweats - Drank pineapple juice first as instructed. Breakfast 0915 bacon/egg/hash browns/toast - Meds: Ibuprofen 600mg/ Vitamins C & D/Zinc - 1115 Oxy 95/pulse 58 - super beet gummy Robitussin DM - COD Liver Oil - lots of water - Spent most of the day reading for Bible Study class tomorrow and praying for this nation. Dry eyes. The cough comes back at night with a vengeance. Sleep is an issue too.

- Day 8 - Tuesday (21 February) - Up early with fur babies - Pineapple juice, breakfast: bacon, oatmeal, sausage, toast.

MLGW called -will refund overpayment. LD to Forum to pick up Griz scarfs. MC called, she had only one symptom, a cough. But post-COVID, she was exhausted for three weeks, even making the bed was a challenge that required breaks. The 1230pm Bible Study Class: Job 29-33. Rich discussion. JA and LD keeps it alive. The group dynamic for this class is perfect. I feel a lot better. More coughing than yesterday. Chicken soup w/cayenne pepper for a late lunch. - 6pm Cheeseburger and Cranberry & Tart Cherry juice - I can't go to sleep. Get well text from WR and SC - RC/ NP called. oxy 96/pulse 58

- Day 9 - Wednesday (22 February) 3:34am - I must go to bed. Staying up like this is not good. It is hard to sleep when you are constantly blowing your nose or coughing-up phlegm. The sun periodically peeked from under the clouds. I tried to take advantage of the natural vitamin D. After a perfect breakfast of grits, eggs, crispy bacon and toast, I drank my pineapple juice and got dressed. I still test positive for COVID-19. The fur babies needed to go for a ride and so did I. The wind was high so we didn't go far, nor did we get out of the vehicle except to get the mail. I ate a turkey and cheese sandwich for lunch. It is then that I usually take the CoQ10 pill since it is soooo big. Had good phone time with WR, both sisters, my First Heartbeat, and BG. Friends and family give great support. The 6pm Bible Study on Job 30-34 was rich. The group dynamic for this class is perfect. Dinner was one of my salad creations. It was good, but later gave me gas. I guess some foods just should not be combined. Did my fluid intake meet the goal? I only had two 16 oz bottles of water - 8 oz pineapple juice - 10 oz cranberry/tart cherry mix - 8 0z bottle of Gatorade and 20 oz tumbler of Chamomile tea with honey and lemon. The thick white phlegm comes up in both, chest and nasal excretions.