I've had a persistent cough, occasional tight chest since I flew back. I just want to know if I'm a carrier. I'm self-isolating but roommates are NOT taking this seriously.
Ofc 811 healthline is conjested and tests are backed up to the thousands.
Now my roommate has a fever.
Ofc 811 healthline is conjested and tests are backed up to the thousands.
Now my roommate has a fever.
Should have stayed my ass in Asia. This system is failing its people.
Sooo, pretty sure I'm a carrier. Chest feels like there's a brick in it. On the borderline of low grade fever and fortunately 97% blood oxygen from my oximeter (under 90 and you need to get in a hospital).
811 is still 🚧🚧🚧 woohoo
811 is still 🚧🚧🚧 woohoo
Everyday since exposure with sick ppl in flight/airport, I tracked my symptoms. Sharing them here in case it's helpful to others.
Started getting suspicious around day 6/7. Before that, I thought I caught my roommate's lingering cold and the symptoms were combined with jetlag.
Started getting suspicious around day 6/7. Before that, I thought I caught my roommate's lingering cold and the symptoms were combined with jetlag.
Sharing this for 2 reasons:
1. Process for your benefit. Seeing as my family is from Wuhan, I think I'm well prepared physically and mentally.
2. In the case that 💩 hits the fan & the health system can't get to me or my roommate, this will be a public record.
1. Process for your benefit. Seeing as my family is from Wuhan, I think I'm well prepared physically and mentally.
2. In the case that 💩 hits the fan & the health system can't get to me or my roommate, this will be a public record.
This is what happens when I follow their self-assessment, be told to call this number to speak to a medical staff.
I'd expect a long queue, which is at least is a promise of someone picking up/calling back. Nope, they straight up play a clip to tell me to call later and hang up.
I'd expect a long queue, which is at least is a promise of someone picking up/calling back. Nope, they straight up play a clip to tell me to call later and hang up.
Staff is overloaded, I get it. It seems like if we're not close to dying, they don't want us anywhere near.
What about everyone on my flight AC-18? No chance of initiating contact tracing. Let's not pretend all 250+ of them are self-isolating rn b/c an airport kiosk suggested it
What about everyone on my flight AC-18? No chance of initiating contact tracing. Let's not pretend all 250+ of them are self-isolating rn b/c an airport kiosk suggested it
Partly my own fault for choosing to fly back from Asia b/c I wanted to work with my client in-person and line up projects for Q2. Well, surprise, a teammate is also sick with covid19 symptoms after biz travel from Europe and SV.
You better believe Canada is underreporting cases.
You better believe Canada is underreporting cases.
I have anxieties about telling my grandparents, who will freak, worry incessantly and lose sleep. It's just what Chinese families do...
That's not helpful especially when they are far away and need to focus on caring for themselves. So I'll tell them I'm okay for now. 😢
That's not helpful especially when they are far away and need to focus on caring for themselves. So I'll tell them I'm okay for now. 😢
My body jolted awake earlier. Guess I can't sleep on my back. Chest felt constricting. WTF. Nothing like what I've ever felt before.
Chugged hot water and calmed down after 1.5hr.
On hold with 811. They've escalated my case and transferred me to a nurse. It's 2:30am. 🤞
Chugged hot water and calmed down after 1.5hr.
On hold with 811. They've escalated my case and transferred me to a nurse. It's 2:30am. 🤞
It was traumatic. My HR elevated for an hr while I waited on the line for 811. My immune system at war. I felt scared that if I fall back asleep, I'd never wake up again.
This is much more than "just the flu". Please don't underestimate it just because you are normally healthy.
This is much more than "just the flu". Please don't underestimate it just because you are normally healthy.
I got on the line with a nurse after an additional 45min wait. She was kind and very informative. I told her all my symptoms and stats readings. She tells me not to wait and go to ER. Called around, going to the ER in Richmond now. They told me I will also get tested there. Good.
I'm glad I came here in the wee hours of the morning where there's few patients because this hallway is eerie af
So according to the ER nurse (every nurse tells me s/t different?) I'm a borderline test case due to my travel history but it's up to the doctor to determine if I can get tested. I got this handout though.
..it's no wonder that community spread isn't reported in official numbers
..it's no wonder that community spread isn't reported in official numbers
Doc won't test me. Says there's not enough supply right now because their kits are ordered from the same supplier that services the US and that's where they are going atm. She wishes they can do what Korea does.
"But treat yourself as if you have the coronavirus", I'm told.
"But treat yourself as if you have the coronavirus", I'm told.
I asked another doc about the sudden chest pain, which is still painful when I breath right now. He ordered a CT scan, so at least I can find out if there's some damage.
Waiting for that right now.
Oh, this is the "you might have it but we won't be testing you!" hand-out.
Waiting for that right now.
Oh, this is the "you might have it but we won't be testing you!" hand-out.
Phone died earlier... so I waited the whole morning for my results. 🙄 The closer it got to noon, the more ICU patients rushed in :(. At this point my chest felt much better, Dr had more urgent cases to attend to, so I left.
And that concludes my sleepless adventures in ER.
And that concludes my sleepless adventures in ER.
A passed out for a whole 12hrs and now I feel HEALTHY! Temp @ 36°C Blood oxygen @ 96% resting 99% sitting. Lungs are sore, like a day after a long run.
Today is Day 10: around the point where patients recover or worsen. My immune response said a huge fuck you and fought it off!!
Today is Day 10: around the point where patients recover or worsen. My immune response said a huge fuck you and fought it off!!
Was it worth the trip even when I didn't get tested or my results? I think so. Last night I couldn't breathe lying down, needed to do s/t to avoid suffocating.
My mom always taught me that getting clarity of an imperfect reality is better than hanging on a thread of empty hope.
My mom always taught me that getting clarity of an imperfect reality is better than hanging on a thread of empty hope.
What did I learn:
1. They've given up treating community spread, unless you need an ICU. I was hoping I could get some oxygen.
2. Testing is now limited to medical staff, senior home folks, and hospitalised patients.
3. Drs don't agree but their hands are tied by the system.
1. They've given up treating community spread, unless you need an ICU. I was hoping I could get some oxygen.
2. Testing is now limited to medical staff, senior home folks, and hospitalised patients.
3. Drs don't agree but their hands are tied by the system.
In an country that prioritizes covid19 from the beginning. The following would have happened, and I would have been in isolation instead of home, awaiting test results:
My roommate came out.. she was shaking. Going through the same symptom I had last night. I sat with her.
We talked about social support, how it's hugely lacking to reach out b/c the "stay home" combined with "it's not a big deal for most" message is fundamentally isolating.
We talked about social support, how it's hugely lacking to reach out b/c the "stay home" combined with "it's not a big deal for most" message is fundamentally isolating.
For me, I'm very thankful for my network of friends and strangers who know better than to minimize. They showed up ans offered support. TY for checking in while I was waiting in ER, for sharing your symptoms & best practices.
If anyone is showing symptoms and feel alone. DM me.
If anyone is showing symptoms and feel alone. DM me.
A big reason why I was hoping to get tested this morning is that I know my body is strong enough to face covid19. I want the confirmation of having immunity.
...So that I can take care of my ppl. I can run errands and go to places where vulnerable ppl can't. Now I'll never know.
...So that I can take care of my ppl. I can run errands and go to places where vulnerable ppl can't. Now I'll never know.
Special thanks to @johnnytong for passing my situation along to Air Canada staff. Contact tracing is unfortunately bottlenecked by a positive test result - and this is why we need more stringent travel screening, testing early & often - but at least now they are aware.
