Thread by @Foxxita

This is what so many seem to not understand. The potential long term effects of covid19.

From Amy June’s fb post:

“I’ve decided it’s finally time to tell my story. On March 25th I tested positive for COVID-19. At that time, there was under 600

facebook.com/1352581837/pos…

confirmed cases in the state (now over 50,000). I was told to self isolate at home if I was able (thankfully I was).
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My symptoms started with a very simple dry cough (literally didn’t think anything of it) but then it progressed to chest congestion and finally

the killer of shortness of breath. By Day 3 of having symptoms, I knew something wasn’t right. The chest congestion felt very similar to a common “chest cold” with one MAJOR difference...my boogers were clear. I know it’s total TMI, but if you’re sick or have a sinus infection

most of the time your boogers are green or yellow. Mine were clear & have been this whole time. The chest congestion and dry cough lasted about a week. Once those symptoms were gone they were replaced with chest pain, upper back pain (like the worst ever), loss of taste and smell

and of course, the ever lingering shortness of breath. After having my symptoms for 2 weeks with no real improvement I established care with a Primary Care Physician who prescribed an inhaler. Fun fact, it doesn’t help. By week 3, I have muscle aches SO bad in my legs that

that I could barely walk. It felt like I just finished climbing Mt. Everest or walking on a stair stepper for 6 hours. They. Were. Sore. I did SO much research with the very little information I could find and called my Primary Care. I was sent to the emergency room & got

CT scans done of my chest, abdomen, and legs, an EKG was performed and labs were drawn.
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The ER doctor said he was checking me for blood clots, kidney failure and heart failure. Let me just repeat that One. More. Time. I am 27 years old & they were checking me for blood clots,

kidney failure and heart failure due to COVID-19. It was the scariest two hours. Telling my parents I was driving to the ER but no visitors were allowed. Calling Zac & telling him where I was but that he couldn’t come. This is COVID, not what you see on the news.

Most of my tests came back great except my CT of my chest which essentially showed scarring of my lungs. My new reality is that I am 27 years old, with scarring of my lungs & continued shortness of breath.
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I was a runner, mountain biker, avid rock climber, personal trainer,

back country hiker and always full of adventure. My reality now is that walking over 2 miles kills me. Biking is impossible. I tried doing 10 squats the other day and my heart rate went to 147. I tried to get on our bouldering wall & I am so weak it lasted about 10 mins.

My active life is light years behind me. My lungs are hurt & no one has answers. I have had incredible care from my team of doctors & specialist but the reality of it is, no one can give me any answers. Will I ever go back to normal? We don’t know. Will I ever not have shortness

We don’t know. Will I need an inhaler forever? We don’t know. The unknowns are inevitable but fill me with fear.
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During my time with COVID I’ve learned a lot about the people surrounding me & people in my community. I’ve seen first hand the power of panic. Gluing yourself to

analyzing every cough or sneeze you have, finding out someone you know has it. Sheer panic followed by uneducated comments. Over and over again.
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Here’s the thing, I agree that America was not ready for this. I agree that it’s awful kids don’t get to enjoy their school year

& teachers are adapting to e-learning. I agree that being an essential work is terrifying and exhausting. I agree that losing your job over this is one of the most terrible things to happen to a family. I agree that not being able to show affection to ones you love is difficult.

I agree cancelling your travel plans is frustrating. We had rock climbing trips, Kentucky Derby tickets and Nashville weekends all planned and now canceled. I agree that closing small business’s means that some may never open again. Zac and I have KineticZ Training Gym.

That’s Zac’s only income. Our small business has been closed since March 20th but it may be closed for up to 12 weeks. Guess what? We don’t care. We know our reality could be harsh but Zac said he’d rather close his business for 6 months than to have another 27 year old have the

same reality as me. Let me remind you, my lungs are scarred. I wish every business owner could think like that.
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I understand there is a 98% survival rate. I understand most cases aren’t hospitalized. I understand that the “low death toll” is leading people to believe this is

all being played up & they want to re-open the state. But what no one else seems to understand because it is NEVER talked about is that although we are “recovering” from COVID we are left with side effects that could change our lives forever. I’m not asking, I am begging you to

stay at home. I’m begging you to stop making uneducated Facebook posts about how this is just a “stupid virus.” It’s not. That stupid virus changed my life for good. I am begging you to keep your distance from others. I am BEGGING you to wear a mask. This whole “my body, my

choice” doesn’t apply here. It has nothing to do with your body. It has to do with the wellness of others. If I see you without a mask on, I just assume that you’ve decided you’re okay with potentially killing someone. Scarring their lungs. Sending them into heart failure or

kidney failure. Giving them the same reality as me. A LOT of people don’t show symptoms. Zac has been with me the whole time. 44 days. He has NO SYMPTOMS and I am so thankful for that but guess what? He’s most definitely an asymptomatic carrier. What that means is even though he

looks great and feels great, he could be shedding the virus. & he’s not the only one. This isn’t just a stupid virus. It goes SO much deeper than that & I am begging you to understand that. It’s a silent killer. You can’t see it, some people don’t even feel it, but it’s real.

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My experience with COVID-19 has been very different than what has been repeatedly portrayed to the general public, whether from the News or Social Media posts. The only way to learn from this is from one another & I am more than happy to answer any questions people have, but

read my shirt and please BE KIND. Sharing my story isn’t easy, at all, but I hope it encourages more people to do the same. If anyone knows me, you know I won’t stop fighting until my lungs are back to 100%. COVID won’t define me. COVID won’t stop me. 👊🏼

Also, please share this post!

Tagging Ellen DeGeneres of course because #bekind