1/I never tweet about personal issues—but this is way too important—I am COVID positive and asymptomatic and have been a caregiver for my husband @JagSinghMD who was critically ill with #COVID19. I've learned some things - please follow for more 1/25
2/ He is on day 25 of experiencing symptoms related to being COVID positive. I hope our experience with #coronavirus can be a resource for so many who are being impacted.
3/After experiencing #Covid_19 from the patient/caregiver end despite both of us being physicians at a major academic medical center, this has been a challenge like no other I have experienced.
4/It is NOT easy for someone sick to self- quarantine and hydrate and wait for things to pass. They require help and care and the ability to know when to get to a hospital as symptoms evolve both quickly and suddenly.
5/ Week 1 was fever, chills and extreme fatigue—we both self- quarantined and used social distancing in the house. Jag needed to be given food and fluids as he was too weak to help himself.
6/I watched over him—used gloves and mask to check vitals and used tylenol, along with home remedies from my mom, like warm water with ginger and turmeric.
7/ By week 2-fevers persisted –tylenol really did not work. There was a lot of hype about Ibuprufen but had to use it, because @jagsinghmd doesn't really respond to tylenol.
8/On day 8 he developed a dry cough-had lost 14-pounds—breathing was still fine—so I started an antibiotic (levoflox) and continued to watch closely.
9/Day 10—while his fever started to lessen, his cough was getting worse— but still no shortness of breath. I felt I needed to get blood work and take him to the hospital—plan was to drive him, but ended up calling 911.
10/The decision to take to the hospital was tough, but I knew it had to be done- it would give him access to whatever medical treatments were being done on trial-and I knew if his breathing got affected, we could be in for bad news. Had to be safe!
11/Day 10—I was blown away when I saw Jag’s XRAY and CT scan and the bilateral pneumonia he had developed—they consented him for intubation and watched him in the ICU. I slept with my phone next to me knowing that the call I would get would be telling me that they had intubated .
12/Jag was started on #HydroxychloroquineAndAzithromycin based on protocol @MGHMedicine . He consented the next day for the #remdesivir clinical trial. However, not sure what arm he was on as this a placebo-controlled trial.
13/When I took him to the hospital, I thought it would be for a couple of days---I followed Jag’s labs and saw his inflammatory markers continue to climb. I watched his vitals from afar and seeing a respiratory rate of 26 was difficult.
14/We would to face time each other and he would get short of breath just talking to me - often unable to stay on the phone.
15/He was in hospital for 9 days. Despite his inflammatory markers continuing to rise until day 16—he looked a little better. I stopped checking his markers as it did not seem to be helpful. It also made Jag anxious when I told him his lab results and did not help my spirits.
16/Through all this, I focused on mundane things around the house—could not do anything but cook, listen to music, do laundry and pray! Jag was a trooper but had days when he felt he was not getting better which increased his anxiety.
17/I was unable to talk to my extended family as they all looked to us as physicians for support in the family.
18/My children both came to Boston-I have only seen them through the window, but their amazing spirit and positive attitude gave us strength every day. They drop off and continue to drop off groceries at our door -step.
19/@JagSinghMD fever persisted until day 16—they came on in the evening. Both of us dreaded the evening and dreaded seeing what the thermometer showed—hoping the fevers would STOP.
20/Day 17 was the first time I knew he was going to be OK-looked better and blood markers were better. He was discharged on day 18. Has been home now for 9 days. Continues to cough, is tired & feels short of breath but is certainly on his way to recovery. Continues to need help.
21/We have no idea what the sequelae of these are—I have been retested, and remain COVID positive, but still show no symptoms.
—the most important take home lessons—1. Stay home, 2. socially distance and 3. please mask up at all times outside the home, as we are all vectors.
—the most important take home lessons—1. Stay home, 2. socially distance and 3. please mask up at all times outside the home, as we are all vectors.
22/Home quarantine for a symptomatic COVID positive patient requires supervision. If you are asymptomatic, the chances are that you have immunity. But being a caregiver is a full- time job and make sure you take all the distancing precautions as you may be the carrier.
23/Get HELP if you are symptomatic and COVID positive, and if you are not getting better after 5-7 days. If you have a cough which is worsening, that also needs immediate attention. The lung involvement is silent and deadly.
24/@JagSinghMD and I are so grateful for all the care we have received @MGHMedicine Huge shout out to the amazing staff in the ICU and @MGHCancerCenter. Our experience has been surreal despite being lucky enough to have access to the world’s best medical care!
25/We are all in this TOGETHER and will come out STRONGER together. Please feel free to reach out with questions for #coronavirus . This entire thread is our experience and not meant to be any form of medical advice. We are here as a source of support for anyone who needs help.
