The beeping of alarms filled the air—red lights flashing and blue lights swirling. I sprang from the makeshift bed I had created in the corner of a small chair to rush to my son’s side. Glancing at the monitors displaying his vitals, I hurried to his bedside. There, I could see and feel the shallow rise and fall of his chest. I knew that this would soon bring a flurry of nurses into the room. They were monitored by cameras 24/7, but it would still take a few minutes for them to don their personal protective equipment (PPE). This was COVID-19.
My son is a typically healthy and active 16-year-old with no underlying health issues. His only previous hospital visit had been for a broken arm after an accident while snowboarding on a challenging trail. Statistically, his situation should never have occurred. For months, reports reassured parents that healthy children were largely safe from severe impacts of COVID-19. Many argued against virtual schooling, confident their kids would not suffer dire consequences from the virus.
Let me take a step back to explain how he ended up in the ICU of one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. When news of COVID-19 first broke, everyone responded differently. Our family took it seriously, doing everything we could to avoid infection. We stopped shopping in stores and ordered our groceries online, quarantining them in a separate fridge for three days. Everyone worked from home, and we let our mail sit untouched for three days.
When mask mandates were introduced, we cautiously returned to local grocery stores, equipped with multilayer masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Socializing with friends and family shifted to Zoom and FaceTime. As life continued to unfold, we eventually had to return to work and school, increasing our chances of exposure to the virus.
While we never pinpointed the exact moment COVID-19 entered our home, we recalled an encounter with an anti-masker who was coughing in a store, or perhaps it was a colleague at work who, unbeknownst to us, was asymptomatic but had a family member diagnosed with the virus. It began when my daughter came home one day feeling unwell, quickly escalating to severe symptoms: muscle aches, a burning sensation in her nose, headaches, stomach upset, cough, fever, and the loss of taste and smell. Recognizing these symptoms, we promptly got her tested, and she soon received a positive result.
During her isolation in her bedroom and bathroom, I began to feel ill the following day, experiencing similar symptoms. The body aches were overwhelming, followed by a high fever and difficulty breathing. I pulled out our pulse oximeter and monitored our oxygen levels, grateful that both my daughter and I were maintaining around 90.
My husband moved to the basement, while our youngest daughter woke up the next day with a slight headache but gradually felt better. We felt we had managed to contain the virus, each of us isolated in our rooms, keeping in touch via text and the House Party app. That weekend, I watched my husband and son rake leaves from our yard from my bedroom window, wishing I could join them. Our two daughters played outside in the leaves. I eagerly anticipated the day I could finish my isolation and hug my family again. Little did we know this was just the beginning of our COVID journey.
The next day, my husband and son reported body aches. I hoped it was just from the yard work. As the days passed, they developed a cough and experienced symptoms similar to those I had. Once my quarantine ended, I was able to interact with my family. However, my son remained isolated in his room, while my husband stayed in the basement. As my middle daughter and I kept them company, they initially seemed to have mild cases, but that quickly changed.
My son’s fever climbed to a staggering 105.7. I immediately contacted the doctor to confirm the hospital’s COVID protocols and rushed him to the ER. Chest X-rays revealed he had bilateral pneumonia. He received IV fluids and medication to reduce his fever. After spending a day in the ER, we returned home with steroids and an inhaler, with instructions to return if his oxygen levels dropped.
That evening, his temperature began to rise again, and breathing became increasingly difficult, despite the inhaler. The next day was challenging for both my son and husband, who was also developing a high fever and struggling to breathe. Following the doctor’s advice, we managed their symptoms with Tylenol while closely monitoring their oxygen levels, which hovered around 89.
It was surreal seeing my husband, who hadn’t visited the hospital in over two decades, struggling. This is a man with no underlying health issues, an avid runner, and someone who backpacks through rugged terrains with our son every year.
As the day progressed, my son’s condition worsened. His fever soared, and his breathing became labored. His pulse oximeter readings dipped into the low 80s, prompting me to rush him back to the hospital. He was so weak that getting him down the stairs was a challenge. I instructed my middle daughter to monitor her father closely during our absence.
Upon our arrival, my son was drenched in sweat and gasping for air. His pulse oximeter registered a dangerous 74. They immediately placed him on an oxygen mask and increased the flow. More X-rays were taken, and he received additional medication to manage his frightening temperature of 106.
While waiting for the results of his tests, my phone rang. It was my daughter, informing me that my husband’s condition was deteriorating and he was being brought to the hospital. I sat beside my son, anxiously watching him struggle for breath, while I awaited my husband’s arrival.
Although it felt like hours, my husband was wheeled into the room across from my son shortly after. He was connected to oxygen, underwent chest X-rays, had blood drawn, and was started on treatment. I was permitted in the ER due to my son’s age and my previous COVID-19 infection; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been allowed to stay. The staff was incredibly supportive, updating me on my husband’s condition.
The doctor informed me that my son’s situation was grave, and he needed to be transferred to a top children’s hospital, far too serious to be sent to the nearest one. While awaiting the transport ambulance, I learned that my husband would be admitted. They allowed us to wave goodbye as he was taken to the COVID unit. Soon after, the ambulance arrived to transport my son, and I was able to accompany him due to his age and condition.
The ride was a blur, holding my son’s hand as the EMT swapped out his oxygen tank. We finally arrived at the hospital.
This brings me back to where I started. With the help of dedicated medical professionals, my son began to improve. He was eventually moved from ICU to acute care. Gradually, he transitioned from an oxygen mask to a nasal tube, and finally, he was off oxygen altogether. He endured rashes from the medications and disliked the twice-daily shots, but he showed incredible strength.
While my son was at the children’s hospital, my husband was isolated in the COVID unit at a local hospital 100 miles away. Thankfully, we could communicate through texts and FaceTime, although some days, my husband lacked the energy to talk for more than a few minutes. Just two days after my son was discharged, my husband returned home.
Our battle with COVID-19 was long and challenging, but it ultimately strengthened our already close-knit family. Time has passed, yet we continue to feel the lingering effects of the virus. My husband and son still experience reduced lung capacity and fatigue during physical activity. My daughter and I struggle with lingering loss of smell, taste, and significant hair loss. Many reports overlook these long-lasting symptoms, but they are very real.
COVID-19 can impact even the healthiest individuals, bringing them to their knees. In our family of six, two were hospitalized, two had severe cases, one had mild symptoms, and one was asymptomatic. This stark reality underscores that no one can predict how this powerful virus will affect the body.
Although the debate around masks has become politically charged, it’s crucial to remember their importance.
Some may wonder if masks truly provide protection, considering I contracted the virus while wearing one. Research indicates that for optimal protection, both individuals must wear masks properly. If only one person is masked, the risk of exposure remains medium. However, if both wear masks correctly, the risk drops significantly. Coupled with six feet of social distancing, the risk decreases even further.
Please wear your mask to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and innocent strangers. It only takes one careless individual to create a devastating impact.
For more insights on home insemination and related topics, check out this blog post. If you’re considering artificial insemination, Cryobaby offers reliable resources. Additionally, this excellent resource provides valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
- COVID-19 in teenagers
- ICU experiences with COVID-19
- Long-term effects of COVID-19
- Importance of masks during the pandemic
- Family experiences with COVID-19
Summary:
The narrative details a family’s harrowing experience with COVID-19, focusing on their healthy 16-year-old son’s hospitalization in the ICU after contracting the virus. Despite their precautions, the entire family faced varying degrees of illness, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the virus. The account serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of COVID-19, even in healthy individuals, and advocates for continued mask-wearing and safety measures.
Leave a Reply