Post covid vaccination, I had some adverse effects of immunization. Following this, I did Covid PCR which did not show anything. But since April 16 my oxygen levels went down and I had fever, my O2 level reached 83 since I am a diabetic with Hyperthyroidism, my brother, Dr.Rajendra Dhar (Cardiology, Heart Specialists) MBBS, MD (MEDICINE) based in Jaipur, monitored me virtually. He felt something was wrong in PCR and arranged to lift me to Jaipur. In 4 hours, I was in Jaipur and by that time I had developed symptoms such as fever, sore throat, dry cough, breathlessness, and headache. Brother admitted me in the hospital, got all the tests like (RT-PCR including X rays and scans clinical signs, blood investigations done on me which revealed I was a Covid positive case.
I was admitted to ICU due to severe ARDS. I was put on a mechanical ventilator, monitored with pulse oximetry, and encouraged to lie prone. In 2017, I had dengue which had given me multiple organ failure and this time COVID led to respiratory failure. What I hate most is the chronic pain due to the blood taking out for diagnostics, then administering analgesic medication through intravenous route has also been problematic besides passing urine in catheter. On an average, as a routine I sleep just 4 hours, but in the ICU, I did not have proper night sleep, the intensity of pain, bright lighting, noise from ventilators and monitors.
Every time I see medical fraternity doctors, nurses, Paramedics providing care, I bow before each one of them, their commitment, work ethics, and zeal humbles me to speechlessness. Brother dealt with COVID cases outside as well as inside home. In ICU, I realised that they hardly had any time to eat, they willingly were putting long-hours to save as many as they can and putting themselves at risk of infection to care for people in need, the health workers have been battling with the virus. I owe the rest of my life to the field of public health. I salute all health workers who have seen them working in extremely challenging conditions dealing with elderly patients, patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and other age-related issues.
This is high time we need political will of higher kind to reengineer, reimagine and reform healthcare.
The storyteller is Dr Manorama Bakshi, a Public health professional. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-manorama-bakshi-/