I have been quite careful about COVID-19. I strictly quarantined for over a year, teaching my college classes from home, via Zoom. I was so pleased to be able to travel and visit my financial planning clients in June, as the number of COVID-19 cases waned. And I was so looking forward to being back in the classroom in late August.
Then the Delta variant happened.
I was not too worried. I had been fully vaccinated back in March. In late July I did an antibody test, which showed I had a level of antibodies that placed me in the top 40% or so of all those who had received vaccinations.
(Day: -4) Tuesday, August 17th, was my first day back on campus. I attended an outdoor student social event (masked only part of the time). And I had lunch with a faculty colleague (masked only while driving to/from the restaurant; not masked when sitting across from each other).
(Day: -3) Wednesday, August 18th: I found that my colleague had tested positive for COVID. Later I learned that some students at the outdoor social tested positive for COVID.
(Day: -2) Thursday, August 19th: Faculty Department meeting, in which we all wore masks and sat more than 6 feet away from each other. Halfway through the meeting I starting having mild symptoms, and left the meeting. I immediately went to the health clinic and got the quick test. It came back negative!
(Day: -1): Friday, August 20th: I finished my three days of 2-hour-a-day instruction to freshmen students who arrived on campus a week early to acclimate. In these classroom settings I wore my KN95 mask. Students wore masks, but several did not have them over their noses (despite my reminders).
After instruction ended, about noon, I began to have more severe symptoms. Went home, and went to bed.
(Day: 0). Saturday, August 21st I awoke with a vast array of symptoms. Coughing. Sore throat. Terrible headache, as if I had a sinus infection (but I only had a slight nasal congestion). Chills. Shortness of breath. And very weak.
Went to our physician's offices, who also provide a walk-in clinic and testing seven days a week, for a COVID test. No surprise, it came back positive. More bad news - my blood pressure was extremely high. My oxygen level was dangerously low. And the chest X-ray they immediately took indicated shadows in my lungs (I have never smoked or had any lung damage). I had also just started medication for a temporary condition, which medication was suppressive of my immune system. The physician assistant called my personal doctor, who ordered me to the ER to get evaluated for monoclonal antibody therapy.
There are two hospitals in Bowling Green, KY. I chose the one that did not have reports of an overburdened ER over the prior week, due to COVID. My physician's office called the ER in advance, and gave me a copy of the chest X-rays and exam notes. My devoted wife immediately took me to the chosen hospital.
It was busy. I registered in a half-hour. But there was a delay in getting back to the examination areas. I finally was escorted back - past rooms full of COVID-19 patients, some intubated. In one room an entire family was present, and crying - I assumed their loved one had just passed away.
I was led to another waiting area, not an exam room. A physician's assistant (PA) appeared, and took new vitals. Same very high blood pressure, and low oxygen levels. The PA reviewed everything conveyed to her about my medical history, and asked me more questions. She left, then returned 20 minutes later.
Yes, I should have monoclonal antibody infusions, she said. Under normal circumstances, I would even be admitted, given the number of symptoms I possessed. But, the flood of persons in the ER (and in other rooms at the hospital) - due to unvaccinated persons arriving with COVID-19 - was such that there was no open room to provide the injection, nor was there the availability of a nurse for 2 hours to undertake the procedure. While a clinic in town offered the treatment, they were not open on weekends. The PA said she would try to get me treated, as soon as possible, but to return home and quarantine.
My own quarantine would last for 10 days, and this day was pronounced "Day 0."
My wife, Cathy, who had driven me from location to location that day (with the windows down, and both of us wearing our masks), took me home. She moved her gear into the guest room for an extended stay. I am confined to my bedroom, which fortunately has an adjacent work area for my computer work, when able to do same. Pursuant to the PA's instructions, I was to have no contact with others. Food was placed in a tray outside the door, to be quickly retrieved by me.
I took more Tylenol and went to bed.
I was a little disappointed. Although I was glad to be home in my own bed, as a practical matter treatment to me was being rationed, due to resource constraints. All those people who had not been vaccinated were tying up the ER and hospital resources.
At the same time, I was very appreciative of all of the health care providers I saw. Some looked exhausted. Yet all were patient and professional, and were doing their best.
(Day 1 - Sunday, Aug. 22nd). Awoke feeling quite lousy, and very weak. Had gotten up twice in the night, to again take medication to relieve body aches and headaches.
Then, got a call from the PA at the hospital. They could get me in that morning for the monoclonal antibody infusions. Great!
Did the infusions, and went back home. Two unfortunate side effects of the infusion ... slight nausea, and significant diarrhea. As if my life wasn't already fairly miserable.
Severe chills had me shaking for an entire hour that afternoon. No t.v., no reading. Just lying down and sleeping, as much as I can. Had the interesting delusion of talking to my wife and dog, as if they were laying upon the bed next to me, before I realized that they were not there. (Was a good conversation, however!)
No appetite, and no desire to eat dinner. Tried to keep up with fruit juices, in order to stay hydrated. Another long night - mostly sleeping, between fits of coughing and heading to the bathroom.
(Day 2 - Monday, August 23rd.) Awoke very weak. Drank some water. Took a shower. Took Tylenol again.
By mid-morning many of the symptoms were diminishing. Headache was less severe. Chills were gone. The monoclonal antibody treatment, which typically takes 24-48 hours to kick in, seemed to be helping - significantly.
Worrisome, however, was my coughing up of small amounts of blood mixed in with clear mucus. Informed my physician, who told me this condition was common, not to worry, but to monitor it and keep him informed. The sounds (rattling) from my windpipe I could hear, when I laid down quietly, were also common in this circumstance.
Today was to be my first day of classes this Fall semester. Another professor is covering two of my classes. The two more advanced classes were canceled for today, and I hope to do Zoom sessions when the classes next meet on Wednesday.
Just writing this has worn me out. Time for another nap. (As one colleague emailed me today ... hydrate, nap, repeat.)
PLEASE:
If you have not already done so, get vaccinated. Your vaccination is a gift of love to your family, friends, and community.
If you are vaccine hesitant, please read my prior post, from a month ago, exploring the need to engage in critical thinking before making any decisions.
Even if you are vaccinated, wear a mask, without exception, when out and about. I did not, just once or twice, the very first day I was "out and about." I regret my decision to "take the risk" in not wearing a mask at all times.
As I have learned, the Delta variant is not to be taken lightly. Even fully vaccinated, and even with great care from the health care providers I have seen, the last three days of my life have been a blur - with levels of discomfort I've not encountered often in my life.
Yet, I know it could have been much worse. If I had not been vaccinated previously, who knows if I would have even survived. I could have easily been that departed soul whose family members grieved in an ER treatment room.
I have some days ahead for recovery. Still dealing with symptoms. And merely typing this - my first time on a computer in 72 hours - has left me drained.
Take care, everyone. - Da Bear
