I tested positive for it on Monday 5th January 21, my wife and son soon after. My daughter had gone back to uni on the preceding Saturday and avoided it. I think we must have caught it from the local Asda and thought I'd just feel a bit shit for a few days. Anyway, on the next Friday, an ambulance was called for me after I collapsed and started fitting. A day or so later, I was walking into ICU and calling my wife telling her not to worry as I was sure it would only be for a matter of a few days. Some time in February I woke up on a renal ward in a completely different hospital. I remember none of what happened to me in the preceding few weeks apart from some seriously trippy dreams. I remember during one dream texting my wife to warn her that she shouldn't believe her eyes as I didn't think this was reality. I thought that was all part of the dream but she tells me she received it.
I'm not sure if being unaware of events was a blessing or not, but I have been told that I am extremely lucky to be alive today. My wife had the call a few times telling her to expect the worst. By all accounts everything was failing with oxygen levels falling into the 30s (is that possible?), infections, sepsis, cellulitis etc. as I rode the 'covid rollercoaster.'
Waking up on the renal ward, I was still slightly mad but could realise what had happened and immediately checked my fingers and toes to satisfy myself I still had them all (I did). I was a weak as a newborn and had to learn to walk and talk again. It took several more weeks before I would be discharged upon showing that I was able to climb a flight of stairs.
So here I am now in September and I'm still not fully recovered. I have come a long way but going underground is probably still a long way off. I walked the length of Trago Mills on the weekend and had to sit down. I am nowhere near as strong as I used to be and I tire very easily and can fall asleep suddenly at any time. Mentally, things are 'different' but it's hard to say in what way apart from it's best not to let me watch The Repair Shop without a box of tissues.
I'm a lot more careful than I was. I have had both jabs but appreciate that it may not protect me forever or that new variants may be able to circumvent it, thus I'll do my best to avoid it but at the same time I'm not going to miss out on life by being scared of leaving the house or meeting people.
First time I've 'put pen to paper' so to speak, about this and on reflection, the whole experience has had a major impact on me, some known and some still to be discovered. Important to look at the positives though. I finally quit nicotine after 40 years and I was touched to find out how many people really do care about me.
