One of my worst pregnancy fears happened. The middle of a pandemic, second wave beginning and what happens? I tested positive for COVID. I was taking extra precautions all the time- wearing a mask at family and friend’s gatherings, social distancing, wiping down light switches and door handles. But, working in a nursing home, I guess, it was only a matter of time.

First, the symptoms didn’t present themselves. The weather started cooling down, so I attributed my dry throat to it. My achy body, I thought, was because I was growing a human inside. But, once I couldn’t sleep from my sinuses burning, I went to work that Monday morning and asked for a rapid test. I waited 15 minutes for my results and when I heard the word, “positive,” I thought it was a joke. Then I started crying- scared of the unknown.

I called my husband to alert his work and to get a test ASAP, then my parents on my way home to quarantine. The first 3 days were the worst. My nose wouldn’t stop running, my body had zero energy and by head was aching. By day 3 I lost my sense of taste. Sleep was nonexistent, it was hard to breathe and there was a heaviness felt in my chest. I called my doctor and they recommended vitamin C. Being pregnant there isn’t much I could take or do- just rest, relax and take care of my mental health as much as my physical.

For the next 10 days I tried to make sure we were nourishing our bodies with smoothies, grilled chicken, salads and plenty of water and juices for fluids. Staying home was hard and we masked up to take our dog for a walk. The in laws dropped off a dinner on our porch one night and waiving to them through a window was very surreal.

Halloween was different for everyone this year so turning our porch light off and not inviting trick or treaters wasn’t too hard as most of the neighborhood did the same.

My work guidelines allowed me to return back on the 11th day from my positive test as long as I had no signs and symptoms and no fever. I was so happy to return and be social again. The 12th day we spent cleaning and disinfecting our entire house. We washed all the linens, bleached and cleaned out the fridge, wiped the walls and baseboards and all the high touch areas. Our house felt brand new again. I even wiped down my car.

Our facility is administering weekly testing so 17 days after my original test date I was set to get swiped again. Fifteen minutes later I came back negative! I am so proud I not only made it through COVID-19, but built up antibodies all while growing a tiny superhuman inside of me. Once he is born I would love to test to see if the antibodies were passed along to him.

I know we are all figuring this virus out together and new developments come up every day, but I would like to remain optimistic. Although not everyone has the same experience or outcome as I, it was a learning experience and I am glad to come out on top. Opinions are a dime a dozen for not only the virus, but the vaccine too. This is just my opinion; I’m not a doctor so please see yours if you have questions or are experiencing signs or symptoms.

Thanks for following along my journey. Mask up, wash your hands and be safe out there.

XoXo Britt

Three hundred and sixty five days ago i would have never thought I would be working in healthcare let alone during a historical pandemic arguably the craziest of our time. When this all stared I remember going to and from hospitals seeing the “If you have traveled to China,” signs slowly pop up and then masks at the door, then the restrictions of anyone under 12 or flu like symptoms.

One morning meeting we got word the first positive case in a local hospital. We had to pull admission records, order Double PPE and begin to take it more seriously. Hospitals began restricting visitors all together and my role was changed, and soon my title.

Essential personnel. Getting free coffee and special grocery shopping hours are great if you have time to get there. The hours got longer and the rules changed rapidly. Of course, no one wants the virus and working in a Nursing home fighting all the stigmas this quickly became a new one. The safety of our loved ones at home and work is a 24/7 job; just because we clock out doesn’t mean we stop fighting the disease.

As I write this we remain non-positive. Which was a weird word concept for me to grasp. Positive comes with such a different connotation for me but when COVID takes over the frontal lobe you don’t look forward to seeing that word often. Everyday there are scares. From symptoms, to pending tests and accepting admissions from our partners in the community as ordered by the governor of the state of Arizona. But we do our best, that is all we can. But it is not just our responsibility.

Why am i scared to open up? Because we don’t know anything about COVID other than it’s name. Because someone who was tested negative in a Billion Dollar Famously Named Hospital while interacting with him today I had to wear full PPE. Because the grocery stores can’t keep food on our shelves how are the restaurants supposed to supply their needs and what about the hospitals and nursing homes that are ordered to care for your loved ones. Because you not wearing a mask and choosing to live a normal life is selfish in a time where we all need to work together. Because its is not just healthcare and first-responders who are risking their lives.

I feel like this is dividing us more than politics or religion. Protesters are marching the capitals and pages are being started to report those breaking the stay at home orders. But today we open up restaurants and beauty salons and clothing stores. Some with “rules” in place, but we don’t know what the future looks like. Tests are becoming more available but we need the antibody test not the swabs. Our spikes are flattening out, but we haven’t had a steady two week decrease. So please, stay home.

Stay Safe.

XoXo

Britt