‘Sickest I’ve ever been in my adult life’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – I have COVID-19.

It’s as simple as that. But it is still complicated.

And it is difficult to write.

I am not unique or special. I join more than 4 million people across the country. PERSONS. No numbers. Persons. I feel for all of them. And their families. It is not a pleasant process. For some, it is worse than others. More than 151,000 Americans have died. I cannot imagine its final moments; the pain their families endured not being by their side.

The past few days have been difficult. For the past decade, nothing has stopped me. I have had illnesses. I have had injuries I have suffered loss. I got up again and kept moving. This was different. Out of nowhere, for lack of better words, I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks. During quarantine, I have been healthy. I ate well, exercised often, kept my circle small. I had just taken time off, walking several miles a day.

Then this.

It’s the sickest thing I’ve ever been in my adult life. Fever, body aches, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, cough. Then stomach problems and sleepless nights. I will spare you my complaints. Is my case mild? Probably? But this virus is not one size fits all. And your health can quickly deteriorate. There is no established timeline with when you will experience certain symptoms and when you will improve.

The coronavirus has tried to dominate my body. When I think I’m getting better, I go back. I get up and move. They hit me with a tight chest and cough. I have trouble breathing. One night, it was especially bad. I asked him if he should go to the hospital. I called my parents, my brother and my friend who is an emergency nurse. I did not go I do not want to go to bed or use the time of a doctor or a nurse when there are people who certainly need it more than me. That would not be fair. But the idea crossed my mind.

It is real. People can say that the numbers are still small and that the virus is not that bad. That is your right to feel this way. It is very different when it catches you or someone you love.

While the virus hasn’t been fun, symptoms aren’t the worst part of the equation. The scariest thing? Concerned that I unknowingly exposed someone else. Which could help this nasty virus spread and take advantage of others. That it could have innocently caused an outbreak among my family, friends, or colleagues.

I spent time with my parents shortly before I got sick. That was my biggest fear. To this day, I pester them endlessly to make sure they don’t have any symptoms. The anxiety has been intense. I couldn’t imagine having them sick and possibly being the cause.

They have been amazing, supporting me as they can. They have left the food and Facetimed made me check. They have given me words of support. Thank the Lord, they have been healthy.

A handful of my friends has also been wonderful. Some really stand out as angels. I cannot thank enough those who felt that texting me to “get well soon” was not enough. To those who left food and aid packages. Those who called me and, if I didn’t answer, they called me again. Some sat outside my window and waved. We used the phone to communicate while looking at each other through the security of the glass. That meant the world. And it was medicine. The soup, the vitamins, the cards: it is priceless. It has taught me a lot about the quality of friends, not quantity. And it has motivated me to be a better friend in the future. It is easy to send ‘thoughts and prayers’. Actions speak louder than words. From now on, I will be intentional and invest in others who are going through difficult times. I know others are not so fortunate to have the support I had. I want to find them and lift them up.

When I discovered I was exposed, I immediately cut myself off from EVERYONE! He was leaving the office for a task. I immediately called my photographer, who, by all accounts, has the closest contact with me. I told him about the situation and asked him to stay in his vehicle until I discovered the situation. So I called my human resources manager. I told him everything. I listed everyone I saw and everyone I was in contact with for the past few days. The number was small. Fortunately, we have been preparing for this for months. I wore a mask when I moved around the station. I anchor in a separate desk and in a different room from the others. In the field, I use a long boom microphone and do interviews outside. I stay at least 6 feet away from others. I would like to think that this helped. My photographer isolated and then tested negative. So did my co-host, who was cleaned to reassure her. I am so relieved to report that I am not aware that someone has infected me. Security protocols work. We cannot become lax.

He knew when and how he was exposed. I am grateful to have discovered it, as it helped me to know my risk of developing the virus. It also helped me isolate and make the proper notifications. To this day, I have not received a single call from anyone in the government informing me that I have been exposed or asking who I potentially exposed. Containing this error has become our responsibility.

I should point out that it was initially negative. I did a quick air test for a story, with no reason to believe he had been infected. Two days later, after experiencing significant symptoms, test positive. You didn’t need a test to know you had COVID-19. My body knew it.

Vic coronavirus chronology

Everyone’s body reacts differently to the virus. This is how mine reacted.

Life goes on. Birthdays Anniversaries Milestones. We are all fatigued by the pandemic. Some of us are insensitive to numbers. It’s easy to go back to old habits. Turn off the news and stay away from social media, and the virus suddenly loses its priority. That does not mean that we are losing control. Don’t punish those who live in fear. You don’t know his situation.

I am fighting against this disease with all my might. I’m getting over it. And statistically, it should be fine. I hope to put it in my past very soon. But I can’t help but think of those who don’t have a good chance. Who will not catch their breath? Who is afraid And dying. Without cure Solo.

Loneliness is also deadly.

I also think of medical workers and first responders who are dealing with the tragedy and putting their lives at risk. My own family members work in ICUs at some of the largest access points in the world. They have had so many patients die in them. This hurts them more than they will admit.

As I sat on the bed, day after day, trembling, I saw the world without me. It is humiliating. It is also frustrating. I saw people I know who act irresponsibly. I saw fight. I saw anger and hatred. It is not my place to tell people what to do or how to think. But I saw it. And I still see it.

This is not the blame game. It shouldn’t be political. I remain in self-isolation. Lockdown affects your mental health. It is lonely and sometimes maddening. But it is correct. Technology makes it easier.

I write this a week in battle. I pray that the worst is over. This is my story. And I felt it was time to tell it. As a journalist reporting on the pandemic and other major human problems, it would not be fair for me to keep this a secret. This is not a publicity stunt. The rumors have been spinning. I live a fairly public life and essentially disappeared in a matter of a few hours. I notified those who needed to know so they could protect themselves and then concentrated on beating this disease.

We all like privacy, but this is bigger than that. My story is not unique. But it is not the standard either. Coronavirus affects everyone differently.

I went from having one of the busiest hours of all I know to sitting at home. Hour after hour. Day after day. I hope to emerge from this stronger, kinder, more compassionate, more punished, more patient. I pray that it becomes more manageable. I think having a positive mindset is an important factor.

Today I feel better than from day 1. It has been a slow process, but I feel like I am recovering well. Most of the symptoms have disappeared and I am planning a safe return to society. I want to be productive again. Active. I want to see people, albeit from a safe distance. I want to be at the service of our community.

I want life to return to normal as much as you do. I also know that some things can never be the same.

Most of you will continue to move. Other things will arise. We are bombarded 24/7. Your life will continue. I am grateful that you have read this far.

But maybe some will help make a difference. I’ve been careful I could have done more. You can too. You know what to do. Do it for your loved ones. Do it for the greater good. Take this seriously. Or, at least, respect those who do. Consult your loved ones. Go beyond for others.

We’re in this together.

God bless.

* I want to use my experience to help. I want to be a resource. If there is anything I can do, please contact me via email or Facebook.