– COVID-19 Survivors Share Their Experiences of Trial and Triumph
In March of 2020, Guyana was in the middle of a political crisis following the recently held and contested general elections. Citizens were on edge, filled with anxiety and uncertainty, and then, COVID-19 struck with the first confirmed case on March 11th. Everyone panicked; the country broke into complete pandemonium. The prices of essential household items rose significantly. Fear, worry, and confusion escalated as social restrictions were placed on Guyana and the World.
COVID-19 is categorised as an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be transmitted by breathing in the virus if exposed to someone who is infected, among other avenues. Having affected approximately 500 million people globally and claiming the lives of about 6 million, COVID-19 continues to be a significant part of our lives. Aside from the physical impact of death and the long-term effects of COVID-19 on a person’s body, this virus has also impacted many emotionally and psychologically.
Amongst those who were affected are Sisters Joycelyn Pickett – Braithwaite, Megan Grenville – Thompson, Noscila Layne, Nicola Young, Nina Washington – Thomas and Pastor Randolph Singh. Their experiences are recounted below.
Do Not Take Your Health for Granted
Three days after her birthday in 2021, sister Megan Grenville -Thompson started to cough. She decided to undergo a COVID-19 test and two days later the results came back positive, causing her to spend the following 14 days in quarantine. Though her symptoms were mild, the isolation was new territory to her, given her busy and affectionate lifestyle. She missed hugging others, particularly her husband. Communication with her family and others was strictly virtual, which was disheartening. For that reason, she advises others to follow all COVID-19 protocols and not take their health for granted. She is grateful to God for life. “When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all He has done for me, my soul cries out hallelujah, praise God for keeping me….”.
“My only hope was that my children did not contract the virus”
Sis Nicola Young did not have the privilege of quarantining at home like some. She was a front-line warrior in the COVID fight – a nurse who worked directly with COVID-19 patients. But even as she fought to save lives, she worried about taking the infection home to her family, especially her daughter, who has special needs.
As their primary caregiver, testing positive for COVID-19 gave her great anxiety. She experienced loss of appetite, taste and smell, headaches, and a lack of energy. “I did not have the strength to do many things, but I had to do it anyway because I did not have anyone to do it for me,” She also knew that she could not overwork her body, so she paced herself to complete her work. “I had to set three-hour alarms so that I could wake up to feed and change my daughter. The remaining time I used to rest,” she expressed. Additionally, she remembers taking lots of panadol for her headaches, but she could not be sure that her headaches were a result of COVID-19 or caused by the worry of infecting her children.
She remembered being consumed by thoughts of what would happen to her children should her symptoms worsen, and she needed to be hospitalised. To overcome such thoughts of despair, she found herself repeating the Scripture “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”(2nd Timothy 1:7), until the fear and anxiety left. At her low points, listening to gospel music helped her to relax. In awe, Sister Nicola reflected on the keeping hand of God that prevented her children from contracting the virus despite being in close contact with them.
I did not have the strength to do many things, but I had to do it anyway because I did not have anyone to do it for me
Sister Nicola Younge
Sister Young’s advice is to “take each day one step at a time. Do not be overwhelmed by everything going on. Stay hydrated, and be health-conscious because that should be our primary responsibility.” Most importantly, she encourages others not to suffer in silence but to speak out if they are struggling in an area and need someone to talk to.
“I was on the bed one step between life and death”
Pastor Randolph Singh’s experience was dire and his symptoms became serious fast. “My body started to vibrate, I had a fever, cough and I felt cold,” he recalled. Believing it was the flu, he immediately started to treat the symptoms but after three days, his condition worsened.
He contacted a doctor who encouraged him to visit the hospital where it was confirmed that he had contracted COVID-19. Although he had no underlying conditions, his symptoms intensified. He lost his taste, smell, and voice. He felt helpless, “I was on the bed one step between life and death,” he recalled.
His memory of the entire ordeal is patchy. He was in and out of consciousness most days. He even recalls hallucinations of deceased family members in front of him. A few times, he wondered if his end had come, and he felt prepared. His only concern was how his family would cope without him, a thought that saddened him. But most days Pastor Singh was convinced that his assignment on earth was not done and that The Lord would restore him. He held fast to God’s promises “with dear life” and saw God deliver him.
His daughter shared with him that they thought they would lose him. Surviving COVID-19 has taught him the unconditional love of family. He remembered his eldest daughter preparing daily concoctions and being by his side constantly. His encouragement is to not take life for granted because “our lives are not our own.” He shared that the experience has brought him closer to God, and he has vowed to remain steadfast with God. He urges others to do the same and even be ready for death.
To be continued in a subsequent publication…
