Photographs by Josh Estey | Writing by Heidy Rodriguez

LOS ANGELAS, CALIFORNIA: The morning of Thursday 3.19 I took the day off to have a small orthopedic procedure in my wrist. Because of the COVID news that broke out that week, it was cancelled. I proceeded to eat pancakes but they didn't taste like anything. I had to stop eating to lay down because I felt nauseous with tremendous body aches. I had loose bowels and a heaviness in my chest. I felt a fever but had no way of knowing as I didn't have a thermometer. I made a virtual appointment and the doctor didn't do much to ease my situation. He told me there weren't any tests available and I did not fit the criteria since I hadn't traveled.  I ended up going to the ER anyway and on the way I got my temperature at a roadside clinic - sure enough, it was a 101.5. The nausea continued. I took an quick swab test up my nose. Two days later on 3/21 I received the news that I was COVID positive. Up until this point my boyfriend was sleeping in a different room, we wore face masks and gloves. A few days later he showed symptoms: cold sweats, fever, itchy throat, chest pains. He did not get a test because we opted to stay quarentined for safety. 

My symptoms lasted more than two weeks. Fever subsided after one week and a half. What remained were pounding headaches and  irritability. Loss of smell and fatigue also persisted.  Healing for me was more like a curve rather than a steady line.  Its been a month now and I am now focusing on my mental health practicing gratitude and mindfulness. As I feel like now there is a stigma placed on me for having COVID. 

The biggest challenge was stress and anxiety after I started feeling better. Stress about going "back to normal" and keeping focused to do my daily tasks. 

Some days I felt numb and frustrated about when it was all going to end. I did not think I would die. 

The virus has a mind of its own. It is important to talk to your body and take back the power. Whatever your spiritual beliefs it is important to have hope and take everything one day at a time. 

This experience allowed me to fully grasp the power of love and community. From my partner to my family and friends who were there for me in many non-physical ways is invaluable. It is also important to note that fear is powerful and sometimes brings out the worst in us. We need compassion and empathy as a society.