I am a Covid survivor! Although I am rejoicing, my recovery is bittersweet. Many have lost their battle with the virus, including some I knew personally, maybe I have survivors guilt? I try not to let it get it me, I look at it as though it just wasn’t my time to leave this earth.
It has been 2 1/2 weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. I was discharged on continuous 2 liters of oxygen, this is common with Covid patients leaving the hospital. My instructions were to check my oxygen level often using a pulse oximeter, luckily I have a friend who’s a nurse so she made sure I had one at home.
Here’s what checking your oxygen level using a pulse ox looks like, I have been off the oxygen for over a week, initially when I walked around the house without the oxygen my levels would drop closer to 92% or below, but once I sat down and took a few deep breaths, my level would go back up to 95-96%.
Maintaining your oxygen level is very important in your covid recovery, make sure you purchase a pulse oximeter to have at home. You can purchase them from your local drug store, or from Target www.target.com , Walmart www.walmart.com or Amazon www.amazon.com.
I wouldn’t say I have rushed my recovery process, but I do know since I worked in Inpatient Rehabilitation for many years that “if you don’t use it, you lose it!”. I listened to my body and if it felt strong enough to get up a move around, that’s what I did. My bedroom is upstairs, so I would walk up and down the stairs a couple of times a day just to get my endurance up and get my legs stronger (legs were very weak from laying in the hospital bed for 6 days). My husband put a chair in the bathroom, so if I got tired after taking a shower, I would sit down as needed. Making small adjustments to the things you would normally do independently, helps to make the recovery process easier.
I was initially diagnosed with covid on December 16, 2020, I was admitted to the hospital on Christmas eve and discharged on December 30th. My balance and endurance have improved, the only issue I have currently is a cough, which from what I have been told is common. Overall, I feel pretty good!
My job now is to educate people on how to deal with covid, I know it affects people differently, but I share my story and what worked for me. Hopefully it can help someone else.
I am looking forward to 2021 and all the great things it will bring, especially now that I will be here to see it!
Peace and Love,
Kim
#Covid19 #survivor
Adventures of A Silver Fox! 