I Had COVID-19

 

COVID-19 hit us like a giant brick.

Its presence changed the world. It disrupted our lives. Many of us were hit hard. How can our everyday normal be so overturned by something we can’t even see!?

It’s my pleasure to introduce Alynda Long. She is an Energizer bunny…and a writer, blogger, editor, wife, homeschool mother, grandmother, graduate student, and, most importantly, Christ-follower. She endured a month-long battle against COVID-19, and she had never experienced a viral infection like this one. COVID-19 is a beast!

But Alynda ‘kept on going’ as well as she could and she maintained a productive faith in God who is greater than this virus and in full control. I was encouraged by her story of victory as she suffered through the invasion of COVID-19 in her body and her household. It’s God’s story of victory, really, through Alynda’s faith, and I want to share it with you.

Here is an interview with Alynda about her experience.

Hi Alynda. Thank you for agreeing to take this interview and to share your story on my blog. Can you give us a big picture summary of your fight against COVID-19?

Thanks so much for having me on your site, Stephen. I started feeling poorly in March, but didn’t think I’d possibly have COVID. At that point, I didn’t know a single person in my “real” life who’d had it. My symptoms worsened fairly quickly and I ended up in the ER with bronchitis and pneumonia. They gave me medications and I went home. I just didn’t get better though. My heart rate was too high and I couldn’t catch my breath, so back to the ER I went. I had CT Scans done, but they didn’t have COVID tests in our area at the time. The doctor said I was a presumed case of COVID and my family and I needed to isolate for fourteen days. My husband and one of our daughters developed mild symptoms (thankfully!), but my symptoms lingered for quite some time. Actually, I still have a few now, in August. I likened it to a hybrid of mono, the flu, pneumonia and bronchitis….all at the same time. Not something I’d like to repeat.

COVID-19 can be devastating but I also understand that those infected experience varying degrees of severity. In what ways did the virus attack your body and how severe or unbearable was this infection for you?

Apparently, I had a mild to moderate case. I never had to stay in the hospital or get placed on a ventilator. I’m incredibly thankful for the Lord’s protection on that front. I’d say the pain rivaled that of a ruptured appendix. I felt pretty horrible for several weeks. Body fatigue, horrible headaches (I still have those, by the way), brain fog (and a bit of this too), digestive issues, heartburn, heaviness on my chest (like a large dog sat on me), chills, fever, sore throat, a horrible cough, and some weird burning sensations on my back, face, and neck.

If you feel comfortable sharing, will you tell us more about any long-term issues you are still experiencing or have come to understand that will be a part of life?

I still have daily headaches that are different than my “regular” chronic migraines I’ve had for 40+ years. I also forget some words on occasion, but I try to extend grace and wait for them to come back. I still get winded much easier than before and my heart rate sporadically gets very high. I also have joint aches in my hands and feet that don’t want go away right now. I pray they will dissipate over time, but am learning how to live within the moment.

 

What surprised you the most about this virus and how it fought against your body?

Everything surprised me. The quick onset of the symptoms. The way it held on far longer than any other illness I’d experienced. I was under the impression it was like the flu. This was unlike any flu I’d ever had.

How did you keep your family safe? How did the presence of the virus affect them?

By the time I was diagnosed, my immediate family had already been around me long enough to get infected. The four of us isolated in our home for fourteen days. I actually stayed home for about a month because I didn’t want to infect anyone else. Friends brought us food and we ordered other items via grocery delivery or Amazon. My husband was the first to develop symptoms, but he only had some fatigue and a mild cough for about a week. Our middle daughter (our eldest does not live at home since she’s all grown) never showed any symptoms at all. Our youngest developed a fever, body aches, and a cough that lingered for a couple of weeks. She’s usually a ball of energy, but she laid on the couch watching Disney movies for days.

How did your battle against COVID-19 affect your family and your family life?

We prayed against it, but it brought a certain level of fear into our home. I could tell my husband and girls were concerned they would lose me. The news was so bleak on television. At that time, things were bad in Italy and New York City. My husband had just begun working from home and our girls’ schools had closed. We just huddled together and did what we could do…much like the majority of people in America at the time. I also watched far too much television if I am being completely truthful. LOL

You chronicled your daily experience on social media. Why did you choose to share about your experience in this way?

At first, I wasn’t going to tell anyone about it, but I felt a nudge to share. I thought I’d share once then be done with it, but I found people really wanted to know what it was like. I was often the only person others knew with the virus. At that point, even the experts knew very little about the symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. I knew I had a laundry list of things occurring and wanted to document it for myself and to possibly help others who might get infected too.

Did you give up or discontinue any regular activities or responsibilities while you were fighting this virus?

I wasn’t able to do any of my normal activities and I tend to be someone who goes more or less nonstop. I had to take incompletes in my three graduate classes and stopped writing for almost three months. I could hardly walk to the bathroom without needing a break so cooking, cleaning, and all of my other normal activities were more or less off limits.

Were there activities or ministries you purposed not to give up during this fight? If so, how did your commitment play out?

I would love to say that I maintained my writing and editing, but I didn’t. I chose to focus on my family and how to best show Christ’s love to those closest to me. I felt peace about pausing in the majority of my responsibilities. Sometimes it’s important to focus on our immediate needs. Kind of like allowing water to refill in our own wells, so we can pour into others at a later time.

In what ways did you see God work and participate in your fight against this infection?

I had a supernatural peace throughout much of the experience. My husband couldn’t be with me when I was in the emergency room. One evening, I was taken to a negative pressure chamber where I stayed for several hours. I could see fear in the eyes of the doctors and nurses. God allowed me to pray for those brave people facing their fears so they could care for others.

In what other ways did you see God use your experience for His purposes?

I hope through my faith in Him, I have shown others his goodness and peace through the process. It’s important to remember that God is still as good in the hard times as He is in the good ones. I’ve been able to engage with nonbelievers about my experience and how the Lord gave me comfort.

What Bible verses were especially helpful to you during this time?

2 Timothy 1:7, “For god gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

What words of encouragement would you share with a person who is infected with COVID-19? Feel free to cater to Christians and non-Christians separately if you wish.

For all: be kind to yourself and rest as much as possible. Use a pulse oximeter if you have access to one. It can alert you to respiratory issues and give you a level of peace if your levels are good.

For believers: It can be scary to have this virus, but you are in the hands of the great physician. Listen to worship music or your Bible on Audible or an app. Try following the advice in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

For those who haven’t discovered the Lord yet: You are important and loved beyond measure. If you’d like someone to talk to then please message me at alyndalong@gmail.com. I’d be honored to walk alongside you and/or pray for you if you’ll allow me the honor.

What are some lessons learned for you and your family from this experience?

It’s been a great lesson in learning to slow down a bit, see what’s truly important in life, and see how we can best serve the Lord in our daily lives.

What are some things you are thankful for as a result of having gone through this fight?

It has helped me develop an intense empathy for those affected by the virus and an opportunity to speak with love and grace to those who still believe it is a hoax.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your battle, lessons learned, and our compassionate, almighty God?

We serve a mighty and loving God. What a gift that is for us. I don’t want to squander any of it. I’m praying for safety and health for you and your readers, but even more, for each to know God’s love in a deeply personal way.

Alynda’s story is not the only one like this. I know 3 more people who have conquered COVID-19 while maintaining faith and relationship with God - 2 of them relatives. COVID-19 is real. But, as Alynda said, God is mighty and loving, and He is good even in the hard times. We can hold dearly to this truth as a gift to cherish and not squander.

Let’s follow Alynda’s lead. Let’s slow down and focus on what’s important. Let’s reflect the love of Christ. Look at others with empathy and pray for them. Share about the comfort and peace only God can give.

Let’s also remember to care for ourselves and our families. Even if we remain healthy, I hope the new normal has taught us to spend time with God. To read His Word, pray, and obey Him in pursuit of wisdom. To worship more organically. To think on godly things. To serve God as a daily habit.

Alynda invites you to dialogue with her about Jesus via her email above. You can also get to know her at faithbeyondfear.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

A note on COVID-19: this virus has and does take lives. Regardless of its origins, it is real and we cannot take its effects for granted. It was a humbling experience for Alynda to tell people she came in contact with that she was contagious. We are stepping out of the house more and more. When we do so, we are responsible for the well-being of those we meet. It’s not so much me versus the virus or the church versus the government. It’s us together versus the virus. We have a personal responsibility in this fight.

I'm also happy to dialogue with you about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. Feel free to email me at authordlv@att.net. Jesus is greater than any virus and He's conquered death so we can live.

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