SURVIVING COVID-19 DESPITE THE ODDS

Over the past few years, Susan Huber has overcome and adapted to many health challenges, most recently COVID-19.

Susan, of Palm Bay, Florida, was diagnosed in 2015 with pulmonary hypertension (PH). She has a condition called left bundle branch block, which delays or blocks electric impulses that make the heart beat, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which is when the left ventricle doesn’t properly fill with blood.

In July 2020 Susan noticed that she was coughing more than usual after her husband, Dennis, was exposed to COVID-19 at work. Dennis had a mild case and felt better after three days. Susan’s cough worsened and she developed chills, body pain, fatigue and loss of smell.

After monitoring her oxygen levels, Susan noticed her levels decreased to 88 from her usual 94. Susan normally would have gone to the hospital if she had difficulty breathing, but she feared being alone and never leaving the hospital.

“I had never been so sick in my life. I had a 102-degree fever for 12 days. Twice, I thought I might be dying, and I didn’t know if I was going to survive.”

Susan decided to go urgent care when it became painful to breathe. The doctor prescribed steroids, antibiotics and a supplement to build antioxidants. After a televisit with her primary care doctor, another round of steroids relieved some respiratory symptoms. She didn’t feel entirely well until November, four months later. Although she has recovered from COVID-19, Susan hasn’t regained her full sense of smell and most food still tastes bland or bad. Certain things have an unpleasant, distorted smell. Soap, detergent, her body spray, olives, white wine and coffee all smell the same.

Recently, Susan participated in a study about her loss of smell. She received three boxes with different scents by mail. She had to peel the top off and sniff each one. The first box had a faint smell that reminded her of the unpleasant odor. She couldn’t smell anything in the other boxes. Afterward, she answered questions online about what she smelled.

Susan’s faith helps her manage her PH and heart conditions, and it helped her get through COVID-19. She chooses to maintain a joyful attitude even on the toughest of days.

“I survived COVID-19 even though the odds were stacked against me,” Susan says. “It was a struggle, but I came out of it stronger and more determined.”