August 19, 2021 (Thursday)
Late Wednesday evening to early dawn of Thursday when I first felt some symptoms similar to common cold or flu. I experienced sore throat and some body pain early in the morning, I felt better though after drinking some warm lemon juice with honey. I also gargled with water and salt. I decided to skip work. I don't want to risk giving anything to anyone just in case. I reported at work that I was sick and was told to stay home and rest.
My husband bought a COVID home test kit (antigen test) when he came home from work, he helped me took it and the result was NEGATIVE. To be sure though, hubby sleeps on the other room for the meantime.
By evening, I started to have some low grade fever. I was more worried for the baby than myself.
I haven't been this sick since I came here in the U.S.A, close to three years ago. Even when my husband got sick last January 2020 and I took care of him, I barely got sick. Being pregnant, even when I tried my best to be extra careful, my immune system was compromised. I also think there's a good chance I overtired myself from work during the first week of class opening.
August 20, 2021 (Friday)
I called the OB-GYNE clinic and talked to my doctor's nurse. I reported to her my symptoms and I was given instructions to call the Delivery and Labor Department at the hospital if my fever comes back on the weekend.
August 21, 2021 (Saturday)
I was feeling better, I was even able to do our laundry. I washed the bedsheets too, cleaned the house and sprayed Lysol to kill any lingering virus. I opened the doors so fresh air will come in. I feel so much better after.
August 22, 2021 (Sunday)
I started feeling sick again and my fever is back, higher than the first time. I called the hospital as I was told but the line was busy. Good thing our health insurance has a 24/7 Nurse Hotline where I was able to talk to a registered nurse, report my symptoms and got more instructions on how to safely lower my fever. Hubby is worried too. He took care of me. We are hoping my fever will go down and we can meet my doctor on Monday.
August 23, 2021 (Monday)
My fever went down and I am feeling better again. I have cough and runny nose, and headache most probably related to my sinus.
We had our anatomy ultrasound for the baby, everything is good and we found out we are a having a BABY GIRL! Yey! Lavender Nursery Room!
Hubby waited for me outside after the ultrasound, because of COVID the clinic's rules changed again and I can only meet with the doctor.
I told my doctor all my symptoms and everything we did, I was given instructions on what medicines are safe to take if I still have fever (and other symptoms) on the following days. I was also told to take another test but this time the COVID PCR Test. I made an appointment and the earliest I got was on August 27 11:50 am (Friday).
August 24-26, 2021 (Tuesday to Thursday)
My fever didn't return. I still have cough and runny nose but overall I'm getting better.
August 27, 2021 (Friday)
I drove and went to get my COVID PCR Test. Still feeling better, thank God fever didn't return anymore. Result will be out in 1-2 days.
August 28, 2021 (Saturday)
Still taking things easy. Rest and drinking more fluids. Eating healthy stuff. No fever.
August 29, 2021 (Sunday)
Got the result. POSITIVE. Hubby reported at work too. He will also take a PCR Test on Tuesday. He will work from home for the time being. I also reported my result at work.
August 30, 2021 (Monday)
Talked to my doctor's nurse, reported my result. My OB-GYNE is out and she will report to her my result tomorrow. I inquired about what to do on how can I get a return-to-work for later on. Do I need to take another PCR Test or an antigen test will do? Do I need to wait until I'm negative again? It's been more than 3 days that I don't have a fever. It's been more than 10 days since the first day I experienced the symptoms and I immediately isolate myself. I will follow whatever is necessary for my sake and everyone.
September 1, 2021 (Tuesday)
Finally, I was able to talk to my doctor's nurse. She told me that my doctor will probably ask me to wait another 10 days from August 27. I told her again the fact that I'd been isolated since August 19 when my first symptom appeared. I called the Florida Department of Health, they have a record of my positive result and at first I was told the same thing to wait another 10 days from August 27.
September 2, 2021 (Wednesday)
I work from home today. The school secretary per the school director's instructions told me to call again the Florida Department of Health to tell them again that I'd been in isolation/quarantine at home since August 19. The new representative I talked to investigated my case and decided that indeed I am finished with the 10 days quarantine needed. She sent me the COVID 19 clearance letter on my email saying that I can go back to work the next day. Yey!
September 3, 2021 (Thursday)
I return to work. Everyone welcomed me back. I maintain my 6 feet distance with everybody just to be sure just in case I cough (I still cough a little bit). I wore my face mask if I will be in close contact with someone. I decided to be extra cautious for me, my baby, and everyone else. I'm glad to be back. A workmate said me and the baby have now a natural immunity for around 7 months. I checked and this is what I've found and read from the website of the National Institutes of Health, the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research: Lasting immunity found after recovery from COVID-19.
*Update 9/4/2021: Hubby tested NEGATIVE on his PCR test. 😊
