Long COVID survivor Nomsa: "When you go through this journey, you cannot do it alone"

Nomsa shares her story

I was really surprised when I tested positive as I was working from home and had been very careful. I immediately isolated myself in the house, expecting to feel better after two weeks, and was glad when my husband and two sons' tests came back negative. My symptoms quickly deteriorated and I felt absolutely awful, and when my blood pressure dropped I was admitted to hospital. Within a short period of time I was very, very ill. I spent three weeks in ICU [the intensive care unit], which was very scary. I was fully aware of what was going on and there were people dying all around me.

Dealing with complications

Every day seemed to be a challenge. My stats would improve and then I'd suddenly develop yet another complication: repeated infections, blood clots in my legs that had to be surgically removed, my heart started failing, and COVID pneumonia. At one stage they wanted to intubate me (to insert a breathing tube) because my oxygen levels were so low, but I begged them not to do so even though they insisted it was to save my life. I wanted to be able to talk and we compromised on using high-flow oxygen, which thankfully seemed to help. When I slowly started recovering, I was transferred to the ward for 10 days and was finally sent home on full-time oxygen at the end of August.

The new me

I couldn't believe what had happened to me. I'm a registered nurse working in the field as a hospital benefit specialist and I'd always been fit and healthy - the one who got things done. And there I was so weak and fatigued I could barely move, hating the idea of needing others' help as I'd always done things by myself. I was also frustrated and angry, with lots of questions: Why me? Where did I get this? And as the main breadwinner: What's going to happen with my job? How are we going to cope?

I battled to breathe as my lungs were badly compromised and depression set in too. But at the same time I realised how lucky I was to be alive; most of the patients in ICU with me didn't make it.

Dealing with long COVID

I went for a check-up in September as I wanted to go back to work. That was the first time 'long COVID' was mentioned. I was still far from well: I was very fatigued and battled to breathe, my heart rate was very fast, and my iron was down to dangerous levels. I was told to stay home.

By that stage, my emotional ups and downs were impacting every aspect of my life but counselling and prayer really helped, as did my family's care and support. As a wife and mother I realised I had no choice but to work hard to get better, which is exactly what I did.

Where I am today

Today, I feel more like the old Nomsa, except for the fatigue that comes and goes, and memory loss from time to time. I went back to work in January, and felt great relief when I had the vaccine because the last thing I want is to go through this again.

What I've learnt about this virus is that you have to stay positive, to continue to fight, and to trust your doctors. And - most of all - to ask for help, because when you go through this journey, you cannot do it alone.

I was blessed with Discovery's support

I am so grateful that I was part of the Discovery family during this difficult time. Everyone - from my managers, team leader and team mates to the COVID-19 Business Support team and Healthy Company coaches - made a positive contribution during this long ordeal. They gave me counselling when I was struggling and reassurance when I needed it. There's no doubt that their support played a major role in my recovery.

What is long COVID?

With illnesses such as the flu, once your symptoms begin becoming less you're usually through the worst of it and on the mend, explains counselling psychologist Dr Robyn Rosin. "In most COVID-19 cases, once the initial infection has passed and the 10 days of isolation are over, patients slowly start getting back to normal, but unfortunately many go on to develop long COVID", she says. According to specialist physician Dr Adri Kok, who practises at the Netcare Union and Netcare Clinton hospitals in Alberton, there are many patients who appear to recover from their initial COVID-19 infection but later present with various complaints. "Some patients experience ongoing fatigue and poor energy, while others experience anxiety and even depression. However, the most worrying after-effect of COVID-19 pneumonia is fibrosis (hardening or stiffness of the lung tissue), which may be irreversible and can cause long-term breathing problems. Although this very seldom happens, each case needs to be considered individually as there are so many unknowns: we have no idea about how long long COVID may last nor of its prevalence in South Africa".

The impact on mental health

"Long COVID has been described by many as 'an emotional roller-coaster ride'", says Dr Rosin, "or 'an endless journey in the dark'. While Long COVID affects everyone differently, common mental health issues include fear, anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, memory and concentration difficulties, anger and frustration as well as the inability to do things you were able to do prior to contracting the virus".

How to help yourself

• Remember, this is not your fault so be kind to yourself
• Exercise regularly (even though this may be difficult)
• Eat healthy food
• Spend time with your support system
• Never doubt your physical symptoms - they are very real
• Address memory problems by making notes, for example, plan your day
• Monitor your mood and always seek professional help if you need it