With the number of COVID-19 cases still on a high, we may feel that we have taken a step backwards in our journey of recovery as a nation. Naomi Kok, a COVID-19 survivor from Singapore Polytechnic, shares her recovery story, showing us that things will get better.
What seemed like a normal day...
I went to school with a small headache on a Saturday morning in May. I didn’t think much about it because I slept late the previous night, so I thought it was one of those headaches you’d wake up with when you are tired. I took a panadol and it faded out.
After that, my friend and I went to Lau Pa Sat to eat satay and chicken wings together and the next day I woke up with a sore throat. Similarly, I didn’t think much about it because I thought it was because the food was heaty so I bought lozenges to self-mediate. However, the sore throat persisted and the headache came back as well.
On Monday, my health seemed to have gotten worse as I was coughing and had some symptoms of flu. Maybe I overlooked these symptoms but I thought that it was just the normal flu because of my lack of sleep and unhealthy diet. The thought of COVID didn’t cross my mind until all the symptoms lasted for four days.
I went to see the doctor that day (19 May) to get two swabs, went back home for lunch and soon, received a phone call from the doctor. He told me that my Antigen Rapid Test (ART) came back positive and somebody from the Ministry of Health (MOH) would come to take me to the quarantine centre.
Though the news was shocking to me, it wasn’t that surprising. I expected it because I knew the normal flu wouldn’t last so long, hence I was quite prepared to hear the bad news.
Moving to the Quarantine Centre
Within one and a half hours, the medical team—all suited up with personal protective equipment—came to my house to bring me to the quarantine centre at Village Hotel Changi. I had to wait for my actual results from the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test there.
The doctor said I would know the results within one day. Unfortunately, for me, it was a long, agonising two-day wait. I was frustrated because I wanted to know the results as soon as I could so that I can be treated quickly if necessary.
Those 2 nights were rough for me because there was no doctor who could attend to me. I suffered the worst headache I had ever experienced where the pain travelled around my head.
I remember calling the doctor in the middle of the night to ask for pills for my massive headache. The headache was so severe that I had a mental breakdown. I felt so helpless because there was no doctor or nurse, and no family as well who could be by me.
However, I called my mum and she tried to comfort me, saying “it’s okay, it’s okay”. I cried throughout the night and tried to sleep through the pain. The next morning, the medication came.
The final test report came out on Friday and I was confirmed to be COVID positive. I was sent to the hospital and stayed there for two nights. Thankfully, I was getting better! The virus did not affect my lungs or any other parts of the body so I was considered stable. I did not require special attention from them and was transferred to D’Resort to complete my quarantine.
An Unexpected Roomie
When I reached my room at D’Resort, I was shocked to see someone else already in it. It was a lady probably in her late 40s. I turned to the person who brought me to the room and said, “Erm, there’s someone in my room.”
The person replied matter-of-factly, “Oh, you’re sharing a room with a person.”
I was speechless. I wasn’t informed of this earlier and was definitely not prepared to share a room with a stranger! I felt living quarters, especially during this period where I was sick, are private to me. I understand that they probably had limited space for quarantine but I found it hard to live with someone I didn’t know.
I walked into the room, my mind was blank. I sunk into my bed and didn’t move for a long time, trying to process what was happening. My mum video-called me but I didn’t dare to talk loudly because the Aunty, my roommate, was there as well.
Suddenly, I found myself crying. My mum empathised with me and advised me to call the operator to ask for another room to stay in. I didn’t call immediately because I had to use the phone provided by the hotel and the Aunty was around that area, so it would be embarrassing and rude to let her hear my request. Hence, I decided to call the next morning before she was awake.
That night, I went to sleep early but miraculously, around 11:30 pm, the hotel operator called my mobile phone, asked if I had requested a personal room and whether I wanted to move out tonight or the next morning.
It was like my prayers were answered because I didn’t call them to make the request. It was not my mum either so, I don’t think anybody called! I was so relieved that I could have my personal space back.
Stepping into the new room, I felt like it was the best moment in my life. The first room made me feel very heavy like someone is constantly watching me even though I know the Aunty was minding her own business. The new room felt freeing as I finally got my own room.
Road to Recovery
From then on, I was on the road to recovery. I received support from my family, friends and even my school’s lecturers and directors who cheered me on. They sent me snacks, fruits and books to keep me entertained. One of my lecturers even bought clothes for me.
Some of my friends were also quarantined at the early stage because they came in contact with me. We called each other to chat and play games so that we won’t feel so bored being stuck in a room. Our lecturers joined us too!
As I was quarantined for about one to two weeks, I was initially stressed about my studies. I felt fatigued most of the time. I am thankful for my lecturers who encouraged me to focus on recovering instead of studies. They gave me the assurance that the deadline for assignments can be extended if needed. I felt more at ease on hearing that.
My mum was the best supporter in my entire journey. She talked to me about many things to keep my mind off the sickness so that I won’t feel so down. I was recovering well and the thought of having a full recovery also kept me going.
Finally, I was discharged on 6 June and I went back home to continue to rest.
Looking back at all that had happened, I am grateful to have recovered. Until now, I still don’t know how I got the virus. Previously, getting the virus was something that I didn’t think would happen to me, but now I know to be careful and protect myself and the people around me. Even though it wasn’t a serious illness for me, time and resources were still wasted. Thus, we should do all we can to prevent the virus from spreading. Stay safe everyone!
