How I conquered Covid-19

FEATURE

How I conquered Covid-19

One morning, EMILY CHEPKAKA started coughing. Then the doctor broke the news: she had Covid-19.

I never thought I would contract the coronavirus. After all, no one needed to tell me to wear a mask – I was the first person to start wearing one at my workstation. The moment I stepped into the office, I would sanitize the work area and religiously take every precaution to keep myself safe. My colleagues would laugh at me, saying, “Gosh, Emily! You are too careful for life!” I was undeterred. The virus did not stand a chance.

One day, one of my colleagues developed a cough. It didn’t bother me much, but the following day, I too, developed a similar, rather irritating cough. When the cough persisted for two days, I saw a doctor who gave me some drugs. Four days later, I started smelling a rat and requested the staff doctor for a Covid-19 test. By then, I was feeling weak and my appetite was bad. Two days later, the results were out: I was positive. I had imagined that I would take whatever result popped out of the labarotory in good spirit, but the reality of the diagnosis hit me like a ton of bricks. I was confused and shocked. I told her, “Okay, fine,” but I was not okay! I went back to my workstation, changed out of my uniform, told my colleague that I had been given sick leave and walked out of the hospital in a daze.

I wasn’t myself. I was completely lost in thought, turning over various morbid scenarios in my head. “It is over,” I whispered to myself. “My family, my children – gone.” Such was my confusion and shock that I was almost knocked down by a matatu while crossing the road to my house after alighting at the bus stop.

The moment I stepped into the house, I received a call from our CEO inquiring whether I was okay and whether I had arrived home safely. It was a moving and touching gesture. That, however, didn’t stop me from breaking into tears when I set my eyes on my daughter.

She was at home when I got into the house and tears just started streaming down my face. On seeing that, she tried to hug me but I stopped her, telling her that she needed to stay away from me because I was sick with Covid-19. “Mum, don’t tell me that,” she cried. “If you are going to die, I will die with you.”

As you can imagine, we were both crying our hearts out by then! Despite that, I vehemently told her to stay away from me. “I am going to isolate in that room. You will be bringing whatever I need to the door, but you must not enter the room,” I said.

It was all downhill from that moment. I had no appetite and within two days, I had lost six kilos. I was very weak. I shared what I was going through with a friend from church, and she really encouraged me. My pastor called and prayed for me, as did my colleagues and our CEO, who assured me not to hesitate to call if I felt that I needed hospitalization. My elder brother, who is retired, was in tears. Poor man! The whole thing was so depressing that I had reached a point where I even considered writing my will. I was in a dark place, gripped by fear of the unknown. I recall giving my daughter the phone number of our head of HR and told her to call him in case of anything.

My friends and colleagues were very supportive. They gave me a lot of encouragement. I learnt that it doesn’t help to keep an ailment of this nature to yourself - share it with people. Be positive and active. Try to exercise. Don’t just stay in bed feeling sorry for yourself. Get up, do something.

After 14 days, I went for a check-up and the doctor said that I was doing well. Seven days later, the hospital called and said I could resume duty. Understandably, I faced a bit of stigma because people feared being close to me. But all is well now. All through, my daughter was a shining light. Her love and care gave me hope and strength and uplifted my spirit, as did the regular calls I received from the CEO.

Gertrude’s is a fine place to work. The management is very caring. The way they looked after me and other staff irrespective of rank made me feel really cared for. I am very thankful. Contracting Covid-19 is not the end of the world. If you get it, don’t be afraid. Don’t hide. Be bold.

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