More than 1,140 days of Long Covid, and counting

A lot of people say I don't look sick. I may look like a picture of wellness, but the truth is, I have been grappling with a chronic debilitating disease called Long Covid for more than 1,140 days — and counting.

- By BECKS M. GALVEZTAN

I vividly remember that day of the first of December 2021. I was filled with excitement, gladness, and gratitude. Gladness because after 21 days in hospital because of Sars Covid-19 infection, I was finally going home. Gratitude because of the gift of life after going critically ill and almost at the brink of death due to Sars Covid-19. Excitement because I was looking forward to going back to my usual happy life.

My happiness, though, was short-lived. The hope of recovery and being able to go back to my usual life was quashed by a relentless myriad of post-Covid symptoms. I was to find out I had multiple organ damage because of the Sars Covid-19 infection. I was to be one of at least 65 million people suffering from Long Covid globally.

I endured post-Covid symptoms month after month — shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, hair loss, successive outrageously loud and deep burping I felt like a croaking buffalo frog, breathlessness and elevated heart rate when bending over, heightened sensitivity to noise, light and the usual food and medicine I have been taking. Hardly have I recovered from one symptom, there came another. I was in a state of permanent crisis with suffering that seemed to be unending.