Sunshine, smiles and Us on a Sunday Morning
"Mamma... 3 years of this now. We should just get used to it and deal with it😊"
- Ira Pramadh, 2nd February 2022
March 2021 and April 2021 was our first tryst with covid. Prashant and I caught it in March and Ira in April. Covid has impacted our lives in many ways and there are things that we are still dealing with one day at a time. Someday, that may also make it to a blog of mine.
For now, let me jump 9 months ahead and talk about catching covid again in the 3rd wave.
We have been super cautious about meeting people, going out. We have not attended any gathering barring one that Ira and Prashant attended when there was calm before the 3rd wave storm hit. I cannot even remember the number of meetups I have said no to. Like I have mentioned earlier, friends have been very kind and understanding. The rest of the world can wait :) We did a few holidays in the jungles and places with very little human contact.
This time the scenario: we both are double vaccinated and we both continue to double mask when we go out. I even wasn't sure about going to college to sign my attendance. I was just so scared. Yeah, am working on that fear, still and slowly.
Ma, Baba and Joy were covid positive around the 11th of Jan. Ma began showing symptoms first with just a headache, then in 2 days Joy had a cough and Baba had itchy throat. They slowly got other symptoms. Thankfully, they tested immediately and began medication. It was a rough ride for them. One of Baba's blood markers were high and we had to go to the hospital for a chest scan. While he went in the covid ambulance, I took a cab and went to do the paper work. I was double masked, maintained 10 to 12 feet distance from Baba at all times. Yes, I was in a hospital environment and there was only so much I could control.
On 17th evening, I had an itchy throat and woke up on the 18th with terrible throat ache and a no voice situation. Cancelled my classes and immediately met an ENT on video consult. He gave me some meds, asked me to watch out for symptoms and test. That morning I did the RAT at home and it was negative. The doctor said that sometimes if we test too early and the viral load is low, test comes negative. So, isolate, mask and monitor. The next 24 hours, I felt like I was hit by a truck. Had severe body ache and headache too, no fever and mild cough. I was already isolated in a room, monitoring temperature and SPO2. Ira suddenly developed fever and it went up to 101.7. Prashant isolated her in another room and monitored her vitals.
From sending food to my parents who were still recovering, here we were suddenly battling with what seemed like covid and no, it is not like 'just the flu'. We all got tested(RTPCR) on 19th and were positive. Prashant developed a mild sore throat and was feverish. We consulted the doctor in the same hospital where we had shown the previous year and also consulted Ira's paediatrician. Her fever abated in about 36 hours. She did mention about her throat and head hurting. So, the gargling and steaming began too. We isolated for about 7 to 9 days. We recovered without any further adventures, thankfully. The exhaustion is there at times, but from past experience, we know it takes time. We are seasoned covid-ians ( can I coin that term?)
What kept us sane and helped us through this phase:
1. We knew from the last time what we had to do. So, the mental preparation was better and swift.
2. Isolating as a family is actually easier than just one member isolating. Seems like a silver lining perception but honestly, we can cook together, manage home chores and entertain each other.
3. Friends sent us care packages that included food, books and some gifts too :)
4. Ira learnt another aspect of being independent. Prashant taught her to take and monitor her own temperature and keep note of it. She also continued with her classes.
5. Prashant and Ira began working on a project to build a truck from little lego pieces. And finished it in about 10 days!
6. We also did some knitting with yarn, some craft, made a necklace with wool for a pretty pendant, lots of reading and some family movie time too.
Care comes in all forms
Some lessons learnt and some controversial thoughts:
1. The variant is very contagious. You may double mask, take all precautions and still catch it.
But still continue to follow all covid norms and mask post that. This also doesn't mean you have immunity and may not catch it again.
2. The rapid test may not depict accurate results if you test too early or when the viral load is low. Best to follow up with RTPCR. Thankfully, in Bangalore there are many labs where they have home test services. Eternally grateful for many such facilities.
3. Many people said this is just like the flu. But what we often forget is that with this virus, no two bodies react the same. So, best to get tested, consult a doctor and do what they suggest. We have not earned that medical degree.
Joy had to manage everything with regard to their medical care and it was the promptness that helped us get Baba on a specific medication to help the blood markers come in range. Ma also has been dealing with some post covid effect and we are monitoring as per the doctors suggestions.
4. It has been annoying to see people with symptoms not test, not isolate, self medicate and put other people at risk. Everyone am sure had their reasons but a part of me couldn't help feeling even angry at such times. I am sure I also sound very judgemental, but basic sense is not that common! (I contemplated if I should write this, but if I didn't, it would be dishonest of me).
5. The medical fraternity has had it extremely tough last few years. Nothing we do can express our gratitude enough. So, we need to trust our doctors, reach out to them and follow what they say.
6. I am back in my cocoon. I went to college for a couple of hours to sign. I did step out with P and Ira for breakfast and we went to a place that would not be crowded, roof top and all that jazz. But yeah, am going to continue to decline invitations for a while.
One of those evenings, when we decided to step out all masked to buy a few things, Ira gave her little gyaan just the way a little human being can.
"Mamma... 3 years of this now. We should just get used to it and deal with it😊". She is waiting to get back to offline school soon.
Guess, like Ira says, we need to get used to it and am sure we slowly are. But till then, continue to care and also reach out. The moment we finished our isolation, we began sending care packages to friends who were unwell and also to friends to share our love and gratitude.
Covid is a harsh reminder of how helpless it makes you feel when you can't be with someone to help them. So, pay forward the kindness that you receive. Let the love and gratitude, go 'viral', multifold.
Life skills, Craft and some entertainment
#CovidSeasonTwoAtPramadhs #Pramadhs #Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #LittleHumanBeings #Us #Pramadhs #Gratitude #Love #Kindness #ReachOut
