There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
– John Holmes
We all have been touched by Covid in some way.
The figures, the statistics really have turned into names and faces of people we know.
People we have crossed paths with at some point in our lives.
People we work with.
People we live with.
People we love dearly.
Just recently, Covid came into my home with my husband and son-in-law testing positive.
Now, my husband and I have been isolating and keeping safe as much as possible. But, we are very much social beings, and, after careful consideration, made the decision to spend some time with our dearest friends – another couple whom we knew had been taking safety precautions as well.
Unfortunately, our friend contracted Covid, and shortly thereafter my husband fell sick.
As soon as he started experiencing symptoms, he acted quickly and immediately isolated himself even before testing positive.
He stayed in a separate room, and on the rare occasion where he would come out, he would do so wearing an N-95 mask, keeping his distance from me as well as our grown-up children, son-in-law, and grandchild who were staying with us for the holiday period.
Despite my husband doing his absolute best to safeguard us all, my son-in-law got infected, testing positive for Covid a few days after leaving our home.
When it was just myself and my husband at home, I continued taking precautions (I slept in a different room and kept wearing my mask) and did all I could to ensure my husband felt loved and was well taken care of.
On day one of my husband showing symptoms, I’d contacted our doctor, got a prescription for the medications needed, and increased his daily supplementation to strengthen his immune system.
But still…he got really sick.
And the sicker he got, the more I started to worry.
I’d experience moments of intense anxiety, wondering, “Is he going to survive this?”
I’d already lost a husband to a heart attack back in 2004, and it felt as if my ghosts from the past were resurfacing.
There were also moments where I was convinced that I, too, had Covid.
I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling as if I couldn’t breathe. My chest would feel tight. I would feel out of breath when walking up the stairs. And I would constantly yawn as if I wasn’t getting enough oxygen.
I kept checking my mind because working with my mind is of high priority to me. But even that could not prevent the anxiety that was giving me these psychosomatic symptoms.
Interestingly, my family members all experienced some symptoms of Covid at some point during this time. Symptoms that felt very, very real but (thankfully) did not mean that we had Covid; we all tested negative.
This 17-day family challenge has shown me just how deeply affected we get when our loved ones become infected with Covid.
We fear for their health, for their lives. But we also feel anxiety within ourselves, wondering if any symptom, be it a slight headache or pain in the tummy, could be the start of the virus in us.
And with all the Covid-related news coming in from the outside world, loved ones falling sick, and lives being lost to Covid every day, it can all be terribly overwhelming.
I want to let you know that I am here to offer my guidance, support, and love as a fellow human being. As someone who has watched a loved one battle with this virus. As someone who has lost loved ones to this virus.
I know first-hand just how overwhelming it can be, how gripping the fear and anxiety can be.
Whatever you are feeling, you are not alone.
It is my wish to create a community of support and care because I believe that we are stronger when we come together, sharing our stories and picking each other up now, especially now when it matters the most.
I truly have learned so much about this virus through caring for my beloved husband, who, along with my son-in-law, is doing so much better.
I have learned how to take care of loved ones sick with Covid, how to make them feel protected and cared for, and how to help them use the power of the mind to ease some of that anxiety, for them as well as for myself.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need to, even if you just need someone to say, “I’ve been here, it’s okay.”
I am only an email or WhatsApp message away.
From my heart to yours,
Ilze
