I have COVID -19. Isn’t that something.
What was in the abstract is now an up-close and personal experience.
There is some kind of irony at work here. I wrote a course, COVID Crusher, some weeks ago. It was to encourage folks who are feeling the emotional and mental strain of COVID. Obviously, it isn’t going away anytime soon. The day the United States had it’s biggest single increase in new cases, I was one who contributed to that statistic. Now, besides the mental and emotional stress, I get to play with the physical side of things.
Oh, joys. I have COVID.
Here’s the story.
Monday, November 10, I noticed I had a really runny nose and a bad throat tickle. I got home from work and found that I had a low-grade fever.
I’d been that route before. Sinus infection. I recognized the symptoms
Tuesday I didn’t have any fever, but my nose and throat were giving me fits. So I went to our friendly Baptist clinic and got myself checked out. Diagnosis – sinus infection. Got a nice decongestant, some antibiotics, a cough suppressant, and a Decadron shot, which typically fixes me right up.
Wednesday. I sure didn’t feel any better. I thought if I blew my nose one more time my head would implode.
We were supposed to go on a little vacation Thursday through Sunday with Amy and Stone (daughter and son-in-law) and the two wonderful grandkids, Katherine and Levi. We were headed to Gatlinburg. Mountains. Fall colors. Dollywood. Cade’s Cove. We were pumped.
I dunno what spurred me on, but I thought – “I think I’ll get a COVID test.”
I did. That swab? I thought the nurse had hit my brain stem with that thing. My eyes watered for the rest of the day.
I went on home. Word was, “Check your patient portal. Your results will show up there. If you test positive, we’ll call you.”
Fine.
I checked my patient portal. It said I’d tested positive. About the time that sunk in, I got the confirming phone call.
I have COVID.
Things got rearranged in a hurry in my mind. First was a weird mix of sorrow and gratitude. I wouldn’t get to go to Gatlinburg, but at least I wouldn’t be spreading death and corruption around.
Then, word was that I could look forward to 14 days in quarantine. I thought 10 days was traditional, but the doc that called me said, nope, we are learning we need to be really cautious.
This meant that Teresa would quarantine right along with me.
So it’s Day 3 in exile. I have no fever. No breathing problems, at least not yet. I feel perfectly wretched, though. I can’t find anything on me that doesn’t hurt. And this nose thing is driving me nuts. I wish I had stock in Kimberly-Clark.
Once my Daddy was asked, “Are you sick?” His was a typical Bill Martin response: “I sure hope I’m sick. I’d hate to feel like this and be well.”
I get that. I have COVID.
I got to thinking, too, about the numbers. The odds are really good that most folks wont get it. And the odds are even better that if you get it, you’ll survive. Most people recover at home.
Still, I knew five people that died in the span of a week.
I’ve also been thinking about the mask thing. I’m gonna drive down a stake right here.
Wear a mask.
I don’t know where I got COVID. It didn’t just spontaneously happen. I got it from another human.
Did said human know they had it? Did they flippantly go about their daily business like nothing was going on? Did they think the pandemic was all overblown, or some kind of government manipulation to strike fear in our collective hearts for some nefarious purpose? In their minds, is it all political?
Maybe to some degree. Regardless, I have COVID. I got it from someone. I don’t blame them if they were doing the best they could.
But just because something seems right to an individual doesn’t mean it’s right in reality.
History isn’t going to look kindly at how we managed this pandemic.
I have plenty of theories, but if you’re mind’s already made up, I’m not going to frustrate both of us by airing it all out.
So what does this all mean? Since I have COVID, what is God teaching me?
Here’s ten thoughts.
- Could God have kept me from getting sick? I mean after all, I’ve been wearing a mask, washing my hands until bone shows, social distancing, all that. Did He mess up with me? Uh, no. Duh.
- He could have kept me healthy. Actually, with just a word, He could absolutely end this pandemic. Boom. Ka-POW!
- Which raises a question: Why doesn’t He?
- Answer to #3? I don’t know. He does.
- Does He want us to live in fear, cowering behind closed doors, sequestering ourselves in our sterile homes?
- Answer to #5. No, He doesn’t want us to live in fear. “Fear not.” That’s kind of a mandate.
- Comment on #6: There is a huge difference in being afraid and being prudent and wise. And considerate. Don’t forget considerate. I’m not going to consciously expose myself to a radiation leak from a nuclear reactor, for instance. (Yeah, that ‘s a tortured analogy.) Is that living in fear? Nope. That’s just smart.
- God wants us to live our lives to the fullest. We are promised divine protection. But what does that look like?
- Regarding #8: He protects us. But He doesn’t want us to be idiots just to make some kind of point.
- Just be wise. Don’t let your default position be something like, “I am losing my freedoms. The Deep State is out to get me. It’s all a conspiracy by the Illuminati.” You get my point.
Once more, just to belabor the obvious:
I have COVID-19. But God’s got me.
I’d really like to get to hear what you have to say regarding this blog post. Comments are welcome!
(And by the way. That lovely self portrait you see is me out at our little RV, enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. See how happy I am?)
Blessings to you my friend. Your points are all well taken!
Thank you.
Read every word. Thought every thought, but only as one who thus far is healthy from THAT. Asking questions like “Since I am still well, what does God want me to do?” I’m sure I’m to do it carefully, but I’m to do it. I am a steward of this life.
I’m so sorry to hear this news especially since yall have missed the big trip. I hope you have a quick recovery and you’re back on your feet soon. I’ll pray for you and Resa.
Tony, I appreciate your post and believe every word of it. As you know I was hospitalized with covid and double pneumonia. There are so many variations of this virus. My only advice is to keep an eye on your oxygen stats.. If at any point you have low oxygen stats, you need to go to ER. Our good Lord is going to get us through this and I give him all the credit. Wishing you a quick recovery. Take are of yourself and your lovely bride.
Thanks. I appreciate it!
Praying that you recover quickly and your family continues to be happy and healthy! Nice blog! I liked it.
Glad you liked it. Thanks!
You and one other fellow minister are in quarantine at home with C-19. Another close minister brother is on a ventilator with it in Meridian. Two other minister brothers and a deacon brother have died from it. THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER. I chose to cancel a trip to see my youngest and his family this weekend because I was in close proximity to one of these guys arlier this week though we both wore masks. Two of my grands and their mom are asthmatics.
Be well. Thank you.
Hope y’all are still doing okay without too terrible of symptoms. So glad you were smart and got tested before you went on your little trip. Johnny had similar symptoms to yours and treated similarly and was not tested and was sick for 3 weeks. Like you, the shot and meds did not seem to help. I too got something within a few days but only sick for 1 week. Now we don’t know if we’ve had it or not. Love y’all.
I hope you feel better soon! From what I’ve heard from co-workers, family and friends….seems that the severity and symptoms can be different for everyone. Of the people I know they might have had 1 or 2 symptoms similar, but I am surprised by how much they vary. I’ve only known one so far that has died from complications of Covid, he was a fairly healthy 78 year old, he had a heart attack 10 years ago, but other than that, still very active…he was in the hospital over 2 months. Is care different in some areas of the country? Was it just “his time”, just like my Dad died of a massive heart attack at 53, yet others survive the same type of heart attack (some years older). I think as you’ve stated, we shouldn’t live in fear, we should be diligent about the things we can do, and than just like when our boys were in Iraq…we need to let go and let God…we have to trust. I hope your symptoms don’t get worse, and you very easily could have got the virus from someone that didn’t even know they had it, and may have also been being diligent, just maybe touched that cart one more time when they were pushing it out of the way, or the keypad on a checkout or ATM didn’t get wipe good enough. Take care of you and get well soon!
(Great blog)!
I appreciate it. Thank you!
Praying for you, Tony! So thankful y’all didn’t go to Tennessee!
I sure missed our trip, but there will be other opportunities. Thanks!
Praying for you, brother!
And I’m grateful!
As always, we want to be a part of the solution not part of the problem. Making sacrifices, under quarantine, when other family members are having a time of their life, just remember it might not be that great for them if they came down with Covid, likely from you. You made a selfish yet prudent decision to protect others for the greater good. The Smokey Mountain’s will still be there, there will be other excursions. Ok, so the grandchildren go first, then you go next time, they will be so happy to show you the way, and show off their skills they learned from the trip you couldn’t make, and be your Guide. I believe God has set this time aside for you to rest and learn. My sister went a week with high fever. Then suddenly she couldn’t breathe. Learn the breathing exercises if you don’t already know them. I pray you have a speedy recovery.. Trust in your faith..I think you definitely need some Sticky Toffee from Table 100.!
I am doing the things. Thank you!
Hey Tony,
1. We are so sorry you are sick
2. I completely agree with each point.
3. We believe Covid is a real thing. Debbie’s younger brother died of Covid in August.
4. Yes, he had diabetes but he would be alive today if not for Covid.
5. Covid is a real thing.
6. We will be mindful and prayerful for you.
Keep us updated as possible!
Thank you, sir.
Great blog, Tony. Sadly I just learned that a friend’s brother-in-law passed away a couple of days ago from Covid. He spent quite a time in the hospital. My brother-in-law had it a month ago and, other than a couple of days in the hospital, is recovering at home. It wasn’t great, but he got past the worst of it. You wrote so much that I’ve been thinking. Eventually we all will be exposed to it in one way or another. I wear a mask because I don’t want to be the cause for someone else, and it protects me as much as it can. And I wash my hands. But God already knows how this is playing out. I choose to trust him, even in my lack of understanding. Being a Marine Mom was a big lesson in doing that, but it’s one I still have to be reminded of every day. We will keep you and Teresa in our prayers, you for healing and her for protection. Thank you for these blogs!! June
I appreciate that. Thank you!
At the beginning of this year, the Lord had me pray against fear and anger… wow! Praying for your recovery and protection for Teresa!
Thanks so much!
Tony, you are such a good communicator. I hope you feel better very soon, and that Teresa stays well. So happy your symptoms aren’t worse than they are. Hang in there.
Thanks! We’re being careful.
Prayers for a quick recovery and nothing worse than you have had so far. Don’t know if you have ever made friends with the sinus wash, but now could be a good time to introduce yourself, and the Mrs. too. It’s another tool in the box for everyone really. Give your brain pan a good rinse to get rid of whatever you may have breathed in. 🙂 Helps to rinse out the other stuff too. Keep the faith.
Thank you, and I’m good friends with the sinus wash!
First off, hope you are feeling well soon and have no lasting effects from Covid. As having worked in the medical field for years in the past I can understand how something like this can spread rapidly. But more so, having a daughter that works in the hospital taking care of the critical Covid patients, it frightens me of what this can do. I am not saying I am hunkered down and not living my life, I am. But I take all precautions and do not go out unnecessarily. It is a scary thing. Yes, most people do recover and have low or no symptoms, but that does not make it any less deadly to those that are high risk (like me). They are starting to find out the long term effects of this disease and it is not good for some people.
I am not making a cocoon around myself but I am definitely not tanking any unnecessary risk either.
Take care of yourself.
And take care of you, too.
Oh man! I am sorry to hear that. Me and Mel are wrapping up our time with it. Came off quarantine yesterday. Mild symptoms to a great degree. Minor aches and pains along with tremendous fatigue and loss of smell, which is now back. We’ll be remembering y’all. God bless!
It’s a day to day thing, for sure. Be well, and thank you.
You’ve got COVID, Tony. I’m sorry for that. But, I’m praying that the One Who I know has you will see you through it, pain and all, and teach you new things about himself in the process. Wherever you end up in the other side of this virus, you’re still in good hands. I’m trusting him with you. Hang in there and don’t be too grumpy for Teresa’s sake.
I’m a model patient. I’m doing the things. Thank you.
Tony, Thank you for this post! I agree with everything you stated. I am very sorry you have COVID! I’ve known a few people who had it and they all experienced some of the same symptoms, while they all had other different symptoms, too.I hope you will continue to have a mild case and begin to improve soon! I will certainly keep you in my prayers!