The first weeks of 2022 were hard for a lot of us moms. But like the warriors we are, we braved it and kept going for the sake of our family. We can definitely relate to this mom's experience when her whole family had Covid.
What can you read in this article?
- The whole family had Covid - how they were able to survive it
- Her learnings during the 14 days of isolation
We spent the first two weeks of 2022 in isolation. The virus struck our home too, and thankfully we were all with only mild symptoms. Easier to say the word "mild" now that we've all recovered. In reality, the physical and emotional weight it has brought us is actually a bigger part of the story.
I welcomed the new year not feeling so well, and tested positive for COVID 2 days after. I was the only one who took the RT-PCR because Franco and the two babies had no symptoms.
But we knew we had to be ready in case I turn out positive. If that happens, as per the doctor's advice too, my husband and our two boys will be assumed positive for we are all just staying in a condo unit.
And we sensed it right. The moment I saw the test results, I knew we had to be bigger than what's yet to come.
The four of us had coughs, colds, and fever. I was continuously tandem breastfeeding the babies who latched longer because they weren't feeling so well too. We had an extra clingy 8-month old teething baby and a toddler experiencing his "not-so-terrible" two moments.
If that wasn't enough, we couldn't find the medicines we needed in almost all the drugstores we contacted, while hearing news from other families that they're all down in bed for they came in contact with another Covid-positive person. It was a rollercoaster new year story. We were restless, tired, and worried, but through it all, we were faithful!
It all seemed easy at first
Noong una, ako lang talaga ang may cough, runny nose and fever. We said, "Oh this is going to be easy. Basta i-contain lang natin ang virus, tapusin natin ang isolation, naka-mask naman ako all the time, may faceshield pa when breastfeeding, the 2 boys will be okay."
But the next day, Francis began vomiting and showed signs of diarrhea. He was traumatized with every vomit episode and the comfort he wanted were the hugs and the latching that come with breastfeeding. But the doctor advised no food and drinks 1 hour after each episode to prevent him from further retching.
Of all the things that COVID brought us, this was the most heartbreaking. He was crying, he was looking at me, asking if he could breastfeed, but we had to ask him to wait (for an hour). We were together but I couldn't give him what he wanted. It crushed me. It was torture.
COVID in all four of us
The morning after, Franco showed signs of diarrhea. Our little boys started having fever, so we knew that the virus had really reached our entire home. Totoo na, all four of us have it already, our symptoms were all but consistent. I was slowly recovering, but still weak. A few minutes of latching would drain me. But it was high time for breastfeeding. I have the virus and my milk has all the antibodies. The benefits outweigh the inconvenience. So we went on with our tandem feeding.
Preparing for the worst
We consulted with the boys' pediatrician and reported our status. We were given a list of red flags - things which we don't like to happen, but in any case that they do, the boys have to be brought to the hospital for confinement.
Of the entire list, I was most scared of the fever that doesn't come off after 3 days because then, it would be a candidate for dengue. Sobrang naiiyak ako noon 'pag naiisip ko. If that happens, I won't be able to go with Francis because I am COVID-positive.
Hindi ko kaya. Paano si Kuya sa hospital, hahanapin niya ako but wala ako. Masakit yung sa dextrose. Sasabihin niya brave siya but iiyak yun. And the paranoia just kept growing. Before we can even comprehend all that was happening, Franco also had the fever. Shortly, we got news from both sides of the family - they're showing symptoms too.
God's design
The following days were all about round the clock feeding, monitoring, and making sure my boys are getting the medicines on schedule.
Although we had the virus, ironically we were so thankful that I had it first before Franco and the babies. They had it just when I was recovering. Naalagaan ko sila nang maayos. If it was timed differently, things would've been more difficult.
If the babies had it before me, we would have to isolate one from the other, and with our tandem feeding setup, it would've been so hard. If my husband had it first and the boys and I got it later, my body wouldn't be able to take it we all had symptoms together, plus the longer latching time. God's timing was just perfect.
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Days 2 to 4 from the time we got the test results were the wildest ones for us. This was the timeline of the height of all their symptoms, the out-of-stock meds, and our families getting the virus, happening altogether. But cliche as it sounds, we were reassured that things all get better. It'll all get better, even before the "graduation" happens.
Tips on surviving Covid as a family
Sharing below a few points- some learnings and reaffirmations, during our 14 days of isolation:
1. Breastmilk is liquid gold. We are a hundred more times thankful that Francis and Frankl are still breastfeeding. As they feed, they get a lot of antibodies that help fight off the virus. In two days, masigla na ulit sila and matakaw with solids. It could've been different without the gold.
2. Be responsible. Wear a mask, wash your hands regularly, disinfect, and postpone outside activities that are not essential. Assume like everyone outside has the virus. Assume as well that you might be carrying it. Be extra cautious when you're around babies, children, pregnant women, and seniors. Isolate at the very first sign and take the test.
3. When in isolation, take away all unnecessary stress. It's okay if the house is a stockpile of laundry, scattered toys, even dirty dishes. It's okay if you can't prepare food. Soon you will find the physical strength to tidy things up and cook. But if today you feel that you can't, it is okay. Also, trying to track how and where you got the virus does not help.
4. Keep the faith and be grateful. Through restlessness and worries, always pray and be thankful for the gift of life, love, and family. Say thank you to the people who were there to help, including those who texted "Kamusta na kayo?" Thank your husband or your partner for taking care of you while you're sick. This positivity makes things a lot lighter!
5. Bond with family. Maximize this time of isolation by reconnecting with family members in the household. Because there's no work and you need to rest, nobody comes looking for you in Zoom or in Viber. Disconnect. Play with the babies. Watch a movie. Order your favorite family snack.
6. Mom self-care. Mommies should always take care of themselves. Although restless, we should find ways to keep our bodies strong, and our minds at peace. Our obligation to keep the family healthy includes keeping ourselves healthy. Think beautiful and stay beautiful!
COVID has given our family a big block of experience. We weren't prepared for it, we didn't want it. But if there's one thing the virus has given us that we are most thankful for, it is the optimism, the faith, and the reassurance that even through the trenches, God is faithful. The gift of family is our daily reminder that no problem is too big, and no virus is too strong to a household that believes that they can beat anything.