COVID TIMELINE

 So here's a slight recap on how we think we may have ended up with Covid and how quickly it can spread.

February 14, 2021- We received an email from Makenna's school that someone in her class had Covid so since they were all exposed she would need to be quarantined til February 26th.  Ironically, this was just as the snow/ice storm hit Texas.  

During the week of 2/14 through 2/18 we spent a lot of time together as a family since our electricity/water was out due to all of the snow.  I wish I would have been able to document that entire experience because it definitely made us all appreciate the little things.  Heat being the main thing.  Hahaha.  Makenna coughed a little that week but we assumed it was probably just due to allergies and possibly a cold considering the conditions.  We also could not take her to get tested because everything was closed due to the winter storm.  Matt spent most of the days shoveling snow, grabbing firewood, or anything he could do outdoors.  So when he started coughing Wednesday evening of that week I assumed he was getting sick from the conditions as well.  Either way, I started making him sleep in a separate bed because I teased him that he may have Covid.  Really, it was just because I didn't want to catch whatever he had.  By the weekend he still was coughing alot and decided he wanted to go get tested just to be on the safe side.  

February 20, 2021 - Matt tests positive for Covid but does not get his results until after we ( My mom and I) are oun our way to San Antonio to drop my dog off for a procedure.  We get the news that day and feel terrible because we were around my Aunt & cousin while in SA and possibly exposed them. 

February 21,2021 - My mom, myself & the kids all go to get tested for Covid.  

February 25, 2021 - We finally get the results and it turns out my mom is positive but the three of us are negative.  Since I am now having fever, chills, etc they suggest that we retest because it may be too soon.

February 26, 2021 - The results are in and Lee Ann and I both have Covid (Makenna is still negative).  My aunt and cousin are now feeling bad but still go to a party that evening.  They ended up testing positive afterwards and so did everyone at the party.  Hard lesson to learn about how important staying quarantined is with any possible exposure.  

February 28th - I'm taking to the ER because my oxygen levels keep dropping in the 80's and I'm having a hard time getting them to come back up.  They evaluate me and do a chest xray.  Everything looks good so they send me home with a steroid  and  say to keep doing everything I've been doing because I'm not as bad as most Covid patients.  I went home hopeful they were right but still concerned with my oxygen levels.  

March 1st  - Still not doing well and now coughing up lots of bloody mucus.  I call ARC clinic to schedule and appt.  Soonest they can see me is the next day.  Starting to get concerned because everyone has told me that there is a small window that hospitals have where they can start  you on the drug Remdesivir to help beat Covid so I'm wondering if I should head back to the hospital.  I'm exhausted at this point from lack, constantly having a fever, and watching my oxygen levels continue to fluctuate.  I was told not to lay on my back ever so I had spend the last few days constantly sitting up in order to prevent pneumonia.   

March 2nd- After a telemedicine visit with my doctor at ARC she recommends I had back to the ER.  When I do they decide to do another chest xray which comes back normal again.  This time, they add a CT scan which I am grateful for because that is how they found the beginning signs of Pneumonia.  Had they not found that I probably would have been sent home again and honestly may or may not be here today.  The doctor immediately came in to go over what they had found and to let me know I would be admitted to the hospital.  He wanted to treat it aggressively but did not ease my nerves when he explained that nothing was guaranteed and the severity of the situation.  In seconds I had to decide if I wanted to begin the treatment of Remdesivir, agree to receive plasma from previous Covid survivors, and agree or disagree with use of a ventilator if needed.  As I tried not to panic I check off all of the boxes and said to do whatever was necessary to keep me alive.  

I will also share my experience while hospitalized in a separate post but wanted to atleast share the time line of how quickly this all happened and how fast Covid spread throughout our family and those who were exposed to it.  

I was in the hospital from March 2nd til March 8th.  That may not seem long for some but it was the longest week of my life.  Thankfully I am now home and on supplemental oxygen.  Working each day on getting better.  I'm also continuing to pray for all those still dealing with Covid as it seems to cause issues even after you heal.