The Pandemic

Let’s just start off by saying this. Trying to lead any kind of life that resembles some form of pattern or habit has being a bit of a shit-show. Oh, yeah…I swear. You better get used to that. Anyway…the idea was to regularly post about whatever I have kept myself busy with over the last couple of days. Well, the pandemic has once again strown a rusty, unusable spanner into the works. Just as I got myself into a somewhat habitual pattern, Covid organised me a trip all the way to the North,  Johannesburg…

My parents came to visit me in Cape Town over the holidays. We were exceptionally careful, making sure we were masked, hand-sanitised, and distanced. So much my downstairs neighbour was convinced we are isolating. But on their way back home, or in the immediate days after they arrived home, they contracted Covid. And it almost went very bad, very quickly.

Initially, they were fine with rather mild symptoms, in fact, they were convinced that the worst was over… And then almost overnight things changed very quickly. Unfortunately, my sister has a list of co-morbidities, and even though she lives the closest to them it would have been a dangerous gamble for her to go and help out. Within 24 hrs, an oxygen machine and a home pulse oximeter (the thingy that measures blood oxygen saturation) was delivered and installed by my brother-in-law and I was on a flight to Johannesburg.

My mom’s condition stabilised, but she was so fatigued she could hardly move. My dad’s oxygen saturation was regularly dipping below 85, not low enough to admit him to hospital. For a couple of days, his saturation would hover around 88/89 with the oxygen machine at its maximum capacity. And then both of them started getting better. My dad’s stats improved over 48hrs and another 3 days later we reduced his oxygen over two days. They both started eating again, even asking for some seconds, and started fighting me over whether they are allowed coffee and chocolate.

During my stay, I also tracked my own stats carefully. Checking my temperature, blood oxygen saturation, and keeping track of any possible symptoms. I was lucky, and I didn’t show any symptoms but kept isolating.  However, I felt that my mental health was just as important as my physical health. My parents have a wonderful garden, and I made sure to spend as much time in it as I possibly could. They also have the most adorable boerbull  (I am extremely biased here…but just look at her!). So very early every morning, I masked up and took her for a quick walk. Just around the block, making sure I stay far away from any other walkers/joggers (I saw one, at the end of the block once).

But these small measures; the support of my sister and her family, her doctor, my parents’ pharmacist, friends who dropped fabulous food, daily phone calls from friends and colleagues, my parents’ sisters…this is what made it all much more bearable.

I only had to care for two adults. I honestly do not know how healthcare workers have been doing it for almost a year now. Hats off to every person out there, and thank you. I don’t think anyone can truly understand the sacrifice until you have had a small glimpse into what the pandemic really is.

So, I’m back home. Still isolating for another couple of days to make sure I’m good.

Charlotte