FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT
[Editor’s Note: The writer was an executive assistant at the Office of the Governor of Negros Occidental prior to her migration to the United States in October 2001]
My name is Joy Cuadra-Bird. I was born in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental and a Filipino-American working as a night-shift nurse for 10 years in a rehabilitation and sub-acute center in New Jersey, USA. I am a COVID-19 survivor.
I cannot remember the exact date when corona virus hit our facility, but I remember Diane. Diane was one of our residents who was seen wheeling her wheelchair around the hallway one day and dead the following day. She was our first COVID-19 casualty. Her death stunned us all in the facility.
In the next days, the fifth floor was converted to COVID floor. There was no warning and we were not consulted. I heard that the Governors of New York and New Jersey made a midnight decision to have all rehabilitation centers and nursing homes open and receive COVID patients to decongest the foreseen crowding in hospitals.
What these officials did not know then was that these centers and homes where not equipped to handle this new virus structurally, because unlike hospitals, the buildings were not equipped with hepa filters that suckout viruses or pollutants in the air; and skills-wise, as we know nothing about this virus.
The time I knew that the enemy was right before us was when I reported to work one night and saw the sign on one of the elevator doors, “This elevator is for COVID patients and staff only”. That’s when fear hit me.
The following days, I gave direct care to several PUIs (people under investigation) in our facility, some of them I have swabbed for COVID-19. I was provided with PPEs and I was religious in my hand hygiene and infection protocols.
LOW -GRADE FEVER
On Monday, March 30, I started having low-grade fever, 99.7F. I called my PMD and requested for script for a COVID swab. He was good enough to email it to me. Early next morning after work, I went to the ER of a hospital in Morristown and asked to be swabbed.
I was not allowed to enter the ER and was made to sit out on a bench. I told the nurse that I have low-grade fever and have been exposed to PUIs (who were later confirmed COVID-19 positives). I was told that I don’t have enough COVID symptoms to warrant a swab. I must have at least two symptoms, like persistent high fever, or continuous headache or chest pain.
I knew there was shortage of test kits, and hospitals were rationed and tested only those that have severe symptoms. She gave me a piece of paper with a website address of a drive-through testing center. So I went home. I was thinking that if what I have does not merit a swab test, maybe I don’t have COVID. Maybe it’s spring allergy. I took Tylenol and went to bed and felt better after, then went back to work.
The following days, March 31-April 2, the low-grade fever kept creeping back, 99.1F- 99.9F, this time with body aches.
I kept downing it with Tylenol. On Friday, April 3, my temp went up to 101.1F and I was having chills. I called my sister who told me go to the nearest ER immediately. I drove to St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville.
SWAB TEST
I was received very warmly by four appropriately gowned-up nurses who took my vitals and symptoms. Then they gave me some forms and told me to wait in my car.
The parking lot was filled with cars with people waiting to be swabbed. About 45 minutes later, my cellphone rang and I was told to wear mask and walk towards the swab tent, also at the parking lot.
I followed instructions: wash my hands before entering the tent, do not touch my face, etc. My temp went down to 100.7F. I got my nasopharyngeal swab, was given a couple of Tylenol and was told to go home. As I drove home, I called my husband and asked him to make a makeshift bed in a corner where I can crash and isolate myself. It’s not much really when you live in a small apartment.
The rest of that Friday to Saturday was a blur. I was drifting in and out of feverish sleep. I crawled to the bathroom, not trusting my knees which felt so weak and wobbly. I was also feeling so lightheaded. I was not hungry at all, I cannot taste or smell and had difficulty swallowing.
`’POSITIVE’ RESULT & MEDICATION
Before noon of Saturday, April 4, a Dr. Pate of St. Clare’s called and told me I was positive! He also told me to quarantine myself for two weeks and take Tylenol for fever. I immediately called my primary MD, who knows me and my medical history.
He contacted Walmart Pharmacy and had me started on Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg two tabs twice daily for the first day, then one tab twice daily for five days.
I was also started on Azithromycin 250 mg two tabs on first day and one tab on Day 2 through Day 5, and Prednisone 20 mg one tab daily for five days and must be taken with food.
The Prednisone was added because my doctor knew I was once a heavy smoker and he was preempting the virus reaching my lungs and cause inflammation. Also, I was advised to continue taking Tylenol as needed and Vitamin D3 2000 units daily.
At home, my husband and I practiced all precautionary measures to prevent possible spread of infection. Gary cooked food for me and served it with gloved hands in paper plates and plastic utensils which were immediately thrown out after. My clothes were sealed in a plastic bag and placed outside the door to be washed whenever. I wiped everything I touched in the bathroom with disinfectants especially the door knob, the faucet and toil seat. Gary slept in separate room and ran errands for me. He was also given weeks off from work when his employer knew he was taking care of a sick wife.
On April 6, three days after the confirmed diagnosis, fever left me. I was able to stand and walk to the bathroom, wash myself, eat a little.
RECOVERY
The Office of Health of the town of Boonton called telling me my case was reported by St. Clare’s hospital to the State of New Jersey which in turn informed the Boonton Health office. I was told again to quarantine myself and call 911 if I have difficulty breathing.
I was lucky my symptoms did not progress in severity.
Ten days since the infection started and five days since I was diagnosed, my vitals became normal and my appetite came back. I took shower twice and I finished all my medications.
I survived. I am alive and will be forever grateful for the prayers of friends, my husband Gary, my sister Cynthia Ann Cuadra Fernan, my primary MD, Dr. Rafael Lucila with Dr. Lorelane Tindoc, and my parish priest, Fr. Daniel O’Mullane who was so brave to come to give me the anointing of the sick when I was still infectious.
Thank you, Jesus!*
