Thread by @heyfarrukh

The past 12 days of painful COVID battle (a thread)...
#UAE #Dubai #Sharjah #Covid19 #DHA #MOHAP #SEHA
@DHA_Dubai @SEHAHealth @mohapuae @khaleejtimes @gulf_news

Since we hadnt visited family in 2 years & the elders were alone back, we decided to spend this Eid together in Dubai

4 guests arrived in the last week of Ramadan - My mom (79), her elder sister (84), her younger brother (64), and his son (31). It was a big, happy family, all ready to party. I had taken 2 weeks off from work right after eid to spend quality time with family.

Since we had 3 elderlies, we did not risk going out (all we needed was us!).

Come Eid day, my 31 yr old cousin had slight fever and runny nose. He took a couple of panadols and we guessed it was just a normal flu.

2nd day of Eid, my wife had fever, my son (14) and my mom had very high fever and everyone else in the house had started having fever.

Went to the doc on first working day after eid..mom and son had to be given IV to lower the high fever.

The doctor looked at us and said those damned words, "All of you have COVID!".

We didn't believe it, but got the PCR test done for my wife and son. If they come positive, then everyone would be positive. Sadly, they were!

By next day, everyone was getting pretty bad. Total of 9 people positive in the house (including my 3 kids, youngest at 5.5 yrs).

That day onward, it has been downhill. Next day, we got the meds and trackers from Bait Mutawahed Center in Sharjah. Amazing and extremely well organized center with doctor consultation, blood tests, xrays and pharmacy in one location...(not a single penny was charged).

By next day, uncle was having breathing difficulty. We called the ambulance thrice in 24 hours, and they decided to take him to the hospital since the O2 was getting low.

Next day, mom and cousin were called again for check ups, and they decided to admit both of them. All along, we were trying to manage everyone at home. Me and wife were taking shifts checking everyone, giving medicines, cold spunges etc despite ourselves being positive.

Day after 3 of 4 guests were in hospital, my aunt of 84 years started heavy vomiting. We called the ambulance and they decided to take her in as well.

In 4 days after being tested positive, all 4 guests were admitted in hospital, and the 5 of us were still battling with our symptoms (2 younger kids were relatively ok).

My aunt faired better than most, with no complications, but the conditions kept on worsening, particularly for my mom and uncle on a daily basis.

10 days later from testing positive, me, wife and kids have tested negative. The 4 guests that came for Eid are all in the hospital.

Cousin is on Oxygen, but improving. Aunt is on Oxygen and IV fluids, but improving. They're both expected to be discharged in the next 3-4 days.

Mom is in ICU with 90% support Oxygen via Bipap (a full face positive pressure mask). She has elevated blood pressure and has some heart related enzymes issues. Doctors hope she will stabilize and improve in coming days.

Uncle is on 70% Ventilator. Situation hasn't changed in the past 3 days and doctors are concerned, hoping it does't go south from here. He has had it worse, although the youngest in the elders.

In the past 12 days, our lives turned from a party house to one battling for life!
While it is painful, and I feel guilty for arranging the meetup here, I am relieved that it happened here rather than back home cause things could have been much worse.

The amount of support, care and medical attention given to us is incredible, with the govt not differentiating between residents and visitors. Not a single dirham was charged for any service or medicines, and the teatment is going on and getting more and more complicated.

Extremely priviledged to be living in a country that takes great care of it's residents and visitors.

Please keep my family in your prayers. We still have a long long way to go before everyone comes home healthy and is fully recovered from this dreadful virus.

Stay safe!

#UAE #Dubai #Sharjah #Covid19 #DHA #MOHAP #SEHA
@DHA_Dubai @SEHAHealth @mohapuae @khaleejtimes @gulf_news

Last Thursday (3rd June) we lost the youngest of the 3 siblings, my Mamu (uncle), after being 11 days on the ventilator. The way he went is unfathomable, even though he was vaccinated.

Today we lost my mother. She had the worst psychological effect of covid. She was conscious for 10 days on Bipap Oxygen mask. I remember her continuously looking at the monitors when her oxygen, pulse and BP was unstable.

I hope she is at peace now, and with her brother.

It was heartbreaking to see her today.

She and her elder sister were next to each other in the ICU. Both on vent, unaware of how close they were to each other.

Today I prayed for one departed and other fighting for her life, side by side, separated forever!

Today marks 1 month since we got on this ride to hell.

Last month this time we were feverish but enjoying Eid dinner & having laughs not realising that it would be the last time we spend together.

15 minutes ago, the doctors prepared us that my aunt may not survive the night.

Another week, just like clockwork, Dr. Aquila Islam, the eldest sibling, a force to reckon with, joined them, soaring above them and protecting them under her wings as she had done all her life.

It baffles me to see their connection in this life and the after.

They were always together. They wouldn't have been able to take the pain of losing either of them so they decided to go together.

We're left here to pick up the pieces of our shattered lives and celebrate the memories.

They touched so many lives, specially my mother Fahmida Moin and Khala Aquila Islam as being educationists all their lives.

It is heart warming to see tributes from around the world.

May they all bask in their glory in the afterlife.

Till we meet again, Khuda Hafiz!