My COVID-19 recovery story as part of the 20% “middle of the road” cases

We know the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic or mild symptoms with 100% recovery in two weeks. We also know that a small percentage of cases are severe enough to require hospitalization. My journey with COVID-19 was neither mild nor severe as I’m a part of the “middle” ~20% of cases categorized as mild but with eight weeks and counting recovery.

My COVID-19 story starts the week of 2/23 with a work trip to Europe to host events in Amsterdam, London, and Dublin. While in Europe, the first reports of Italy’s outbreak hit the press. While there were no cases in the countries I visit, that was the week it started getting real so I was really happy to get home on 2/29.

I now know I was contagious when I arrived home because I exposed my good friend visiting from LA who was later confirmed positive. The day after I arrived home, I felt lousy with chills and mild fever of 99. I checked in with my doctor but there was no chance of getting a test because I hadn’t traveled in a risk zone and I didn’t have a cough or shortness of breath so per my doctor’s advice, I worked from home until symptoms were gone.

For the next week (3/4–3/11), I was asymptomatic albeit dragging a bit which I presumed was jet-lag and getting a bug. I practiced strict social distancing and avid hand-washing but returned to work and society. Meanwhile, the rest of my family developed symptoms the week I was asymptomatic. My husband had a low-grade fever, cough, and fatigue. My son had three days of fatigue. My daughter had fatigue, cough, and later shortness of breath. The only symptom we all shared was a prolonged loss of taste and smell.

On 3/13, we learned an extended family member with whom we had visited had developed a high fever, qualified for a test, and was confirmed positive. At that point, we knew we were responsible for that transfer but ironically, the only reason I qualified for a test was that I had a “confirmed exposure”. On 3/16, my test results came back confirmed positive and the family was presumed positive but there weren’t enough test kits to test them so they don’t count in the numbers.

The day before I got tested and two weeks from start of symptoms, I developed a cough, shortness of breath, and at times exhausting fatigue. I was never at risk of hospitalization but by 3/27, my doctor presumed pneumonia and prescribed me a round of antibiotics. After finishing the antibiotics without much symptom relief, I got a chest x-ray which was clear which was great news. The doctor reminded me recovery from pneumonia is a long road, requiring lots of rest and not exerting yourself. She suggested I take life at a “beach cruiser rather than a Peloton pace”.

For those that know me, I struggle with a prescription of rest. I get my energy and manage my stress by doing boot camp, running, biking, and surfing. For the first two weeks (3/12–3/25), I didn’t leave the house, slept ten hours a day, rested, and worked when I was up for it. For the next two weeks (3/26–4/9), I introduced walks in the neighborhood but any attempts to exert myself including three or more video/phone calls in a day left me needing my now prescribed inhaler and naps in the afternoon.

On Friday 4/10, I finally felt “normal” with no wheezing, less coughing, and more energy. Gratefully, it continued for the next week. I continued my daily walks and added some Peloton rides and live boot camps albeit at half speed. I was grateful to be able to work a full day. By Saturday 4/18, I had eight good days and was ready to declare victory. For me, victory meant a paddle out to surf which was my normal weekend routine pre-COVID. I know now it was a terrible idea because cold water and exertion are the worst things you can do for pneumonia recovery but at the time, I thought I was better. And so I broke the law and went surfing. While I had a couple of good moments including a visit from a seal in the lineup and riding one wave into shore, overall I was weak, exhausted, and wheezing by the time I got out of the water.

Whether it was the weekend surf session or a full work week, this week (4/19–4/25) has been right back to coughing, an inhaler to get through the day, and needing naps in the afternoon from fatigue. I’ve read more about pneumonia recovery including this article and I never knew recovery is months and not weeks. 50% of adults with pneumonia still struggle with fatigue and cough after three months. Feeling better can be dangerous because while I might have the energy, exertion will strain the lungs and set me back.

So my finish line just got pushed out… by a lot. Rather than thinking I was 100% recovered seven weeks from the start of symptoms, I’ve now reset expectations that I need to moderate my exercise and work schedule for another eight weeks. I’m deeply grateful to have recovered enough to walk, exercise, and work at moderate levels. That said, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t having a hard time. In addition to grieving the loss of normalcy in this time of isolation with so many others, I’m sad and frustrated to temporarily lose my source of energy, positivity, sanity, and stress management. I long desperately to go for a run, push myself on the Peloton and paddle out in the cold northern California surf. Of course, I know my time will come but it’s not now.

For now, I’m grateful for my family’s full recovery and my path to recovery. I’m working on not beating myself up for my “mistakes” where I pushed myself too much and set myself back because I didn’t know at the time that being “normal” was too much. I’m trying to let go of solving the mystery of why I was among the 20% of COVID patients who develop complications such as pneumonia since I’m not in a risk age, no pre-existing conditions, and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. I am focused on hope and gratitude, celebrating the wins and blessings along the way.

For weeks, my plan was to share my story with a glorious proclamation that I’m recovered and back to 100%. However, with weeks to go for a full recovery, I wanted to share my journey as part of the 20% “middle of the road” cases that are mild but complications like pneumonia making recovery months not weeks. To the many others out there “stuck in the middle”, navigating recovery at a beach cruiser pace rather than charging forward on a Peloton ride, we WILL get to our destination of full recovery. It’s just going to take a bit more time.

Thank you for taking the time to read as sharing the story brings me hope and gratitude.