Joanna

USA
Written By Administrator
 

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - March 28,2020: Just two and a half weeks ago, I was a healthy 36 year old entrepreneur, divorcee, and mother of a beautiful 10 year old daughter.

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the first covid case had just been announced in our state. I was at work in my private salon studio as usual, but taking extra precautions to protect myself and my clients.

I had no pre-existing health conditions. But then it happened. A tickle in my throat, and a mild cough. I had no idea what I was in for.

It wasn’t until my mind was going crazy with strange thoughts, and I was so weak that I could hardly lift my head, that I decided to go to the ER. I could hardly even stand. When I reached the worst part of it I thought I was going to die. I kept saying, “God please don’t let me die."

I asked God to watch over my daughter and to help my family and friends get through this. That night, a nurse I hadn’t seen before, came in, and she said “I don’t know if you believe in God but you have to pray.” The next day, it was as if the light was switched on, and I started feeling better. Saturday morning, exactly 7 days after being admitted, I sat up on the side of my bed without the oxygen, and as I was doing so, my nurse walked in. Then, she helped me to get up and walk. In that moment, my doctor walked in and was completely shocked! She actually did a dance and said, “Bye! You can go home!! You are my FIRST COVID DISCHARGE! I will remember you FOREVER!”

Joanna is a mother and hairdresser in Baton Rouge.

 

3 MONTH CHECK-IN - July 9, 2020: Months later Joanna is still struggling with COVID’s impact on her body. Below are some of her post-COVID posts on Instagram.

I was gonna record a video, which I always do when I have something to say, but tonight, I'm in so much pain that I can't. *This is for all the complainers who feel like they don't need a mask because there are more Covid Survivors than the number of those who didn't survive. And anyone else complaining about a mask.* Just because there are more survivors doesn't mean that we are fully recovered and back to normal. I have been to more dr's visits post-Covid than I have in the past 10 YEARS! So while you're quick to throw out #'s as if that makes things better, it doesn't! 1.If your loved one died, the number wouldn't matter! Each one of those people matter-who cares how many?!! 2. this great number of survivors is FULL of people who are dealing with after effects-some that are life changing, long term, extremely painful, scary and some that affect you mentally! Since Covid, I now wear Prism Glasses (.5 strength)-I don't even need them for clarity, but at random times, my left eye decides to get off track just slightly, causing me to be unable to see. Since Covid, I've also struggled with severe lower back and hip pain. Never had these issues before. Today, I now know that I have a degenerative disc (L5) in my lower back, and bursitis in my hip. ALL since Covid. I can't begin to explain how painful it is...or how mentally tough it is to not be able to do what I love without a lot of pain-even though I work fewer hours. I can't explain what it's like to go from 20/13vision (able to read the bottom line on an eye chart), to slamming on breaks because I suddenly cant see. I can't explain it how I feel it! So I don't wanna hear JACK about no mask! I don't wanna hear nothing about your rights! Because you don't have a right to put anyone else's life in danger just because you wanna be careless. I'VE HAD ENOUGH & I'm tired of people minimizing it just because there are so many survivors! Beating Covid isn't the end of the journey, and it's flat out disrespectful to put others at risk. And the way I see it, if you walk around without a mask because you don't care, you might as well put your knee on my neck! I hate this virus. Signed, ~A Coronavirus 'Survivor'

"STILL HERE SUNDAY".... It's been almost 90 days since the onset of my covid journey. -Everyone applauds me for how strong I am and for pushing & beating Covid, but this journey took just as much of a toll on my family as it did me. They watched me fight this battle for days & weeks, & they were fighting with me. From my mom @dwill1124 and aunt Jackie @howbless17 caring for Paige for me, to the meals before the hospital & afterwards...y'all thickened a sister up real quick! Lol Thanks Auntie Jackie for taking me to the hospital-I'll never forget the image of watching your car drive away as they checked me in under the tent alone. To my sister Alicia @ms_arenee thanks for being strong, while needing strength yourself-keeping everyone updated, checking on me everyday & throughout the day, while trying not to break...I appreciate you lil sis! If I didn't know before, I definitely saw your love & your heart for me during this time! To my big brother Duke @dukewilliamsii thanks for pushing me to go to the hospital, & even stopping by there first to make sure they would properly assess me...thank you! If you & @melanie_joyce_ hadn't been persistent in telling me to go, I wouldn't have, & I almost waited too late.. thanks for praying for me big bro. Thanks to my nieces @_sash.ay_ @malia_raain for my paintings To @aaronleewms I know how busy you & @tenesha.wms are...and with the huge projects you have, I have never talked to you so much on the phone-it felt really good. Thanks for taking the time to see about me, & providing a National platform for me to share my story to encourage others. To my dad @jimmywilliams700 Thanks for calling out all the prayer warriors! You did it at the very moment I was giving up. And that was vital and I appreciate you so much dad! To my daughter, Paige, the intercessor like her mommy and grandma-God has blessed me tremendously when he gave me you! People asked how you were doing, but you showed amazing strength, faith, and hope in God. Thanks for my art & standing in the gap for your mom and seeing it through until I came home! My little warrior princess! -We don't choose family, but I'm glad God gave me y'all! I love y'all so much!!!

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