A year and a half of masking, sanitizing, vaccines, and masking even more, yet our household couldn’t fully dodge it. My husband tested positive last week, and so…Covid hits home.
I almost think there was an inevitability in his getting it. We live in Florida and he’s a chef at a senior living facility. While there is a mandatory vaccine requirement for all employees, there was not one for the residents and while there is a vaccine requirement for all their visitors there is not one for those that they go to visit with.
He’s also a 3-time cancer survivor and has high blood pressure to boot. Plus, he’s Chris and if there was a rare chance of him getting it, then it increases his chances. When he had cancer the first time he was told there was a 15% chance of it coming back if he didn’t have radiation.
We decided to take a chance on 15% and unfortunately, a year later, cancer returned. So out of 100 people that might have had his type of cancer, he was one of 15 that would get it to return. But he was also part of the 3% who would get it to return in the spot that he did. Which means he was .45% of 15 people.
Covid started with a runny nose and cough. Because there were several residents who already tested positive, he decided to get the test which came back positive. That started his isolation and I again became a work-from-home employee. While I have not yet tested positive for breakthrough Covid, I need to be quarantined from work while he has it. Every few days, I test but am still negative.
I’m sure those who say vaccines are pointless will point out his illness and say…I told you so. But, although he has Covid, let me tell you, what he’s going through so far is so much easier than the horror stories we’re hearing (from nurses) about what happens with non-vaccinated people. Vaccines work!
First, he didn’t need to be hospitalized while racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills. And he says that he’s had colds that were worse, they just didn’t last as long. He has a headache and body aches that won’t quit. And if he moves too much, it does become hard to breathe. But when he’s sitting or resting, it’s not hard to breathe.
So mostly, he sits and rests and I take care of him.
So sorry, Jennifer! My husband also got a breakthrough case over the summer, which consisted of aches and chills for a couple days and then cold-like symptoms and a mild cough that lingered for a couple weeks. The unvaccinated neighbor who gave it to him ended up in the hospital twice with pneumonia and low blood oxygen levels. I never had any symptoms, though I quarantined with my husband. Oh, and it must be hard for your husband, a chef, to not be able to smell. I hope he’s kept that sense! Take care!
Luckily, he didn’t lose his sense of smell. He is having a taste issue, but it’s not gone, so hopefully, it’s more related to the head cold-type symptoms. As of last night, I’ve still tested negative. Never did so much mask-wearing and it’s all in my own home.
I hope he recovers quickly and that you stay healthy!
Oh Jennifer I’m sorry to hear this, but glad that it seems to be a fairly mild case in the grand scheme of things. I hope he recovers quickly and with no lingering after effects and that you stay covid free. It makes even more grateful for where we are atm – but time will tell how long they can keep Australia locked away from the rest of the world – I think we’re just delaying the inevitable.
I’m so sorry to hear this! I hope he makes a fast recovery! So glad he is vaccinated!!!
I’m so glad he is, too. I don’t even want to wonder what it would be like if he didn’t!
Hoping he feels better soon! Vaccines DO work!
Thanks, Jen. So glad he has the vaccine because it’s making a big difference in how sick he is compared to how sick he could have gotten!
Tell Chris I hope he gets better soon. Also, the vaccine definitely is the best way to deal with COVID I’ve seen some X-rays of the people who have and have not had the vaccine and the lungs always look 90% better in those who have not had it. Love you both and do your best to get and stay well!
As of last night’s test, I’m still negative. He mostly stays in the bedroom and if I have to go in there, we’re both masked up. So glad he got the vaccine because I don’t even want to imagine what it would be like without it.
Jennifer – I hope your husband recovers quickly. My husband, daughter and I all had COVID way back in April 2020. All very different symptoms. My daughter was asymptomic and when tested, tested negative – but had antibodies after the fact. Go figure…
Wow, all three of you at once? I hope you were able to get through it quickly.
So sorry to hear this news. Prayers for a speedy husband recovery. I just got my 3rd booster shot today. Vaccines do work!
Thanks, Cindi. We’re working on two weeks right now, although he’s better than the first week, he’s still got symptoms.
God bless you both. ?
Thank you!
So sorry to hear. Yes, I’ve also been worried (now in Florida, too), but then realized that with the vaccine, I’ll feel bad if I get it (really bad) but will be much less likely to be really sick (hospitalization). I still wear a mask in stores, but have been together with vaccinated friends. It’s so easy to pass it around that I’m kinda expecting we’ll get it eventually, even being careful.
It’s too easy to catch it in Florida considering the number of irresponsible people who live here.
I’m so sorry to hear he got COVID. I wish the government in Florida had taken it more seriously. It’s inexcusable how many there did not get vaccinated or take precautions because of politics. Hoping he gets well, soon and you don’t get it.
Yes, I consider the people and government of Florida who deny there is a problem, refuse mask mandates, wearing masks, and refuse the vaccine as murderers. Plain and simple. Too many have died in Florida that did not have to and that includes too many children. We have courageous school boards that are putting mask mandates in place and they are losing funding…meanwhile, teachers are still dying and students are also getting sick and in some cases dying.
I hope Chris continues to recover and avoids serious covid issues. And hopefully you will not be infected.
Thank you, Meryl. Happy to say that as of this week, he is back at work. Still gets out of breath and has to use an inhaler but is feeling som much better.
Oh Jennifer, I’m so sorry. I hope Chris feels better. How lucky he is to have such a wonderful, loving caregiver by his side.