Surviving COVID: a long-term care worker on her recovery and return to work

“It was terrifying, truthfully,” she stated. “We went from having members of the family, musicians, church buildings coming in at some point, and then no one however employees the following.”

Long-term care houses in Canada have been hit notably onerous by COVID-19, and Nova Scotia was no exception. The overwhelming majority of individuals who died in the province due to the virus lived in Northwood long-term care in Halifax, and a vital variety of these who turned sick have been both residents or employees in long-term care houses.

Smith is a recreation therapist at Magnolia, and one of many first 100 individuals within the province to be identified with COVID-19. The Magnolia had an outbreak that started in late March and lasted until May 15. No one died.

Smith observed that she had a slight cough throughout a coaching session at work within the third week of March, and determined it might be finest to keep dwelling for a few days to keep away from spreading what she thought was a chilly virus.

She had some head strain with congestion and sinus points, a extreme sore throat and a low-grade fever. She additionally misplaced her sense of odor and style. 

She questioned if it was COVID, however a take a look at wasn’t simple to get on the time. Finally, it was confirmed. 

“I had a lot racing by my head. Did I take it into work with me? Did I get it at work? Have I uncovered any associates or members of the family?” she stated in a current interview.   

Smith nonetheless is not certain how she was uncovered, as there was no neighborhood unfold in Enfield on the time. She quarantined for roughly a month till she examined unfavorable, and even after that the recovery course of took time.

“It’s been fairly the yr,” she stated. She nonetheless has shortness of breath going up a flight of stairs and had to work again up to workouts she beforehand favored akin to operating or strolling.

Her odor and style are nonetheless affected, as citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit style disagreeable, and smooth drinks like Coke and Pepsi style metallic. 

“One factor that I cherished, completely cherished prior to having COVID was peanut butter, and to today the style has modified a lot that it leaves a horrible style in my mouth,” she stated.  

However, it was the psychological stress that was hardest. 

“I feel my largest concern was that I used to be going to be blamed for bringing the virus into the nursing dwelling,” she stated. “That was actually scary for me. That’s the very last thing I ever would have needed to do. I understand how susceptible our residents are, in order that alone was large for me.” 

An anxious return

Smith got here again to work in late April to a very completely different setting than she left. Everyone was in masks, and there was no extra group programming. Some co-workers have been lacking as a result of they have been isolating, which meant additional work for individuals who remained. 

Dealing with COVID for a month was onerous on Smith’s psychological well being, and she had some anxiousness about returning to the office. 

“That was actually onerous to modify to, particularly simply getting back from having the sickness and nonetheless recovering,” she stated.

As the anniversaries of after they first turned sick come and go, many survivors are relieved they’ve an essential new date to look ahead to: the day when they are going to be totally vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.

As a long-term care worker, Smith has obtained her first shot already. 

“Which was fairly emotional, and I’ve my second dose appointment this week, which, wanting again is across the similar time I may need been uncovered to COVID. So it has been a full yr,” she stated.

“I feel mentally it’s going to relieve a lot of the stress that comes with the virus, and it will simply put me in a higher psychological state that a yr in the past this was all starting and now we’re lastly seeing the silver lining.”

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