Scary but they got through OK: Halifax family shares experience with COVID-19 – TheChronicleHerald.ca

As Nova Scotians contemplated whether to stockpile groceries in preparation for COVID-19, a Halifax familys life was being turned upside-down by the disease.

Saba, who asked not to use her last name, says her family first started feeling unwell in early March. She and her friend, Dena, told the story on their shared Instagram account.

Because we both have degrees in psychology, we understood the magnitude of stigma around health, says Dena. We wanted to give back to the community by raising awareness and increasing peoples knowledge as to why they should stay home.

Saba says her father began showing flu-like symptoms two weeks after attending a conference in Halifax. Soon, her mom and brother would follow.

They had a fever, body aches and headaches, but I remained asymptomatic, Saba recalls.

Sabas family went to a walk-in clinic twice and were met with the same answer every time: its the flu.

At the time, there were no COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. The risk for Nova Scotians remained low, according to a news release by the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

A few days later, Sabas fathers condition deteriorated: he developed a bad cough and chest tightness.

Thats when they called 811, where the nurse advised that her father should see a doctor within 24 hours.

The next day, Sabas parents were tested for COVID-19.

Saba says the family was pretty sure the tests would be negative. Her parents had neither travelled outside Canada nor had been in contact with a case that they knew of.

The tests came back positive.

You know when your stomach sinks a little bit, that sinking feeling thats how I felt, says Dena.

Sabas family went into self-isolation as they waited for her and her brothers test results. Saba tested negative, but her brother wasnt as fortunate.

I was very much surprised because just the night before (my parents were tested), we were all sitting in the family room. I was sitting right next to them and we were watching a movie. So, it wasn't as if I was even really keeping my distance.

Testing negative came with its responsibilities. Saba recalls disinfecting door knobs and constantly washing her hands.

I was quarantining in my room and the rest of the family were around the house, she says. It was hard to manage, but it was definitely doable.

Saba became the link between her family and public health officials who called every day to check on the familys condition. She would ask her family questions, including what their temperature was, and record their answers to relay to public health.

Dena says standing by a friend in this situation can be as easy as buying them snacks, checking up on them by phone or even setting up virtual exercise sessions.

Although Sabas father wasnt afraid of dying, he says having COVID-19 was still a bad experience.

Nights were a disaster for me, he says. We had been in this house for eight, nine years, but I was wondering how I was able to sleep in that room. It was cold, it was scary I was wishing (for) the morning (to) come up.

He recalls gradually losing his sense of smell and taste, which prevented him from eating the things he loved.

I had so much pain I had no appetite and the inside of my stomach was feeling that I want to throw up.

Sabas father says being separated from his daughter was one of the most difficult things he had to do.

Oh my God, that was terrible because I love to, you know, hug her and kiss her and for a long time I wasnt able to do that.

About four days after Sabas father tested positive, he could hardly talk without breaking into a cough and his fever was relentless. Her mothers instinct was to tell their family doctor. After co-ordination with public health, an ambulance took Sabas father to the hospital.

That time (at the hospital), I wasnt understanding my surroundings very well. I wasnt able to focus That was the peak of my disease, he says.

Sabas father was diagnosed with pneumonia but didnt need a ventilator. He spent Persian New Year (Nowruz), which fell on March 20 and marks the first day of spring, at the hospital.

On a typical new year, Saba says she would be celebrating with family and friends and setting up a special table, called Haftseen, which is decorated with items representing spring and renewal.

It was the first year that there was none of that, she says. We couldnt think of anything. Our minds were just kind of like, Is he gonna be OK? Is everything going to pass?

Dena had prepared a Nowruz present for Saba before the pandemic. She left it at her front door to lift her spirits.

Sabas father was discharged from the hospital a few days later. The family has now recovered, and Saba tested negative again for the virus.

Sabas father says he didnt fully regain his strength till two weeks after his recovery.

Even after my recovery, still my lungs hurt and I didnt have enough oxygen to speak, he says. Now when I speak with my friends, my friends say your voice is now (loud like something coming out of a) stereo, he says.

The first thing Sabas family did after everyones recovery was deep clean the house. Her father is now finally able to enjoy his favorite dish, Ghormeh Sabzi, a Persian herb stew.

Saba says people who are going through COVID-19 shouldnt panic.

Know the symptoms, watch out for them and take action if you think something is not right.

Nebal Snan is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.

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Scary but they got through OK: Halifax family shares experience with COVID-19 - TheChronicleHerald.ca