The Numbers Don’t Tell All

blogging, family, Health, writing, , , , , , 38 Comments

“We only test the front line workers.”

This from Public Health. My daughter has been sick for days with cough. Via video chat, her family doctor says she likely has COVID-19. She prescribed inhalers and cough medicine. It didn’t really help. So she called the doctor again.

“I can’t see you in my office if it’s COVID,” the doc told her, so she called Public Health.

I understand saving resources for frontline workers, but Amanda is a single mom of an eight-year-old and needs help. If it is COVID, I can’t risk being exposed, and her sister has two kids, one of which has asthma. My son said he’d go, but his wife has a sister with MD who they help out regularly.

This is painful.

A nurse friend told her to go to ER. There they did an x-ray and sent her away, saying it’s possible she has the virus, but more likely just Bronchitis.

Her doctor called two days later to say she has infection in her lungs. She’s now on antibiotics. Too early yet to know if it’s working. The ER doc called again to check up on her. She tried to sound hopeful.

Amanda is tough. I have no doubt she will pull through. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions. This disease is terrifying.

How many others are there like her – sick, but untested?

Her nurse friend says many. They see it everyday.

The numbers we see on the news don’t tell the whole story. Stay home, and stay safe.

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Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

38 thoughts on “The Numbers Don’t Tell All”

  3. Oh V.J. this sounds terrifying. Your daughter and the unknown. With those symptoms, she certainly deserves a referral to get tested. At least then she’d know. It isn’t right. The number of cases broadcast on the news…obviously not accurate. It does make the whole thing scarier. So sorry – sending positive thoughts. Thanks for sharing and please let us know how she is.

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  5. VJ, I have sent a prayer up for your daughter. I can’t imagine your poor mother’s heart who wants nothing more than to run to her and make it all better.
    People are not getting tested here……..a friend’s sister was in the hospital 12 days but was never tested………another friend’s son very ill with upper respiratory issues……sent home, never tested. It doesn’t make any sense.

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  7. Oh V.J., I’m so sorry. I know this must be torturous for you. It’s so hard when our kids (no matter how old they are) are sick and we can’t do anything for them. I’m praying for a quick recovery for her. Sending love and hugs your way sweet friend.

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  8. So sorry! Scary time for sure. From what I have heard they can’t test as many as they want because they don’t have the manpower. The unknown is the scariest, and to be alone with her eight year old adds more stress. I think when people hear about the personal stories and not just numbers, they are more likely to stay home. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

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    1. Thanks Heather. My daughter’s friend runs a testing unit. They test by appointment only, referred by docs. They have closed early every day – no referrals coming their way. It’s an odd and frustrating time.

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    1. Thanks Liz. The antibiotics are not working, therefore it is a virus. Pneumonia is the latest diagnosis. She has numbers to call over the weekend if it doesn’t improve. Last night, she asked for prayers. Heart wrenching.

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  13. The numbers in the US are manufactured. Most people never get tested. The problem with that is we don’t know the true scope or the true mortality and survival rates. Other countries have more accurate numbers.

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      1. Oh sigh.

        Our doctor is willing to come to the car and look at the patient there. A week before lockdown, he checked my daughter for strep in the car. But maybe they don’t have enough PPE in all offices. Sigh

        Good luck to your family.

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