I took all the precautions to avoid contracting the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19), so even after I developed symptoms and was hospitalized for one night, I still hoped I did not have it.
My sister, Saudi made a few tries at the Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York (NY) via telephone to obtain the results for my COVID-19 test.
She finally got through almost two weeks after my discharge and was told that I tested positive.
In the meantime I was already in isolation from the rest of the family, just to be on the safe side.
I realized that even though I had taken the precautions, like wearing a face mask if I had the cause to go out, washing and sanitizing hands often, practicing social distancing and staying at home when the Governor of NY, Andrew Cuomo ordered a lockdown, I still did not escape the virus.
I started experiencing symptoms like body aches and chills and loss of appetite about four days before I ended up in the emergency room.
I kept taking painkillers, dressed with layers of clothing and rested at lot, hoping that I would be fine. The painkillers offered little relief.
In spite of that, I still managed to get out of bed to perform my early morning prayers and went back to sleep.
A few hours later when it was time to leave the bed again, I could not find the energy to do so. I felt weak but I forced myself up. Preparing and eating even a simple breakfast seemed like a difficult task.
On April 1, I slept way past the normal time I would get up from my second sleep, after prayers.
Saudi naturally became concerned and decided to check on me. I recalled mumbling, “I’m coming just now.” But I never did!
About an hour later, my husband, Dr. Syed Ghazi, who is in Guyana, became worried because I was not answering his calls and messages. The same day was our anniversary.
On a video call with Saudi around midday, she told him I had a fever. I was also disoriented due to hypoxia, which is low oxygen in the blood. I was totally blank.
“The ground moved from under my feet,” he told me later.
The ambulance arrived quickly and I was not even aware when the paramedic team administered treatment and took me away.
When I eventually regained consciousness I was shocked that I ended up at the hospital.
Some patients were screaming and groaning in pain.
At times it was chaotic, as doctors and nurses rushed to a patient’s bed to treat them.
Devastated
My family members obviously could not be with me at the hospital and were devastated, especially those in Guyana.
They were all engaged in prayers for my full recovery and I do believe in the power of prayers.
My husband, desperate for word on my condition, frantically contacted his “doctor friends” in New York and my personal care provider (PCP) to help.
He said that for hours they tried in vain to reach the doctor or nurse taking care of me. It was hectic in the ER.
He shared this later on our WhatsApp family group: “Every time they (his colleagues) called the nursing station they would say she was still under evaluation and there is no change in her condition. I was thousands of miles away, a physician who had been involved in many relief activities in my life, was helpless, with no way to travel and reach there… Hearing horrible stories of COVID-19 victims, I prayed she would not be a part of that global statistic.”
Eventually, at 2:30 am, my PCP called him to say “she got hold of the doctor and was told that her blood shows normal white count and slightly increased lymphocytes.” I still had not regained consciousness at that point.
The next morning Saudi got a call from the hospital that I was discharged. When she informed him and other family members they were overjoyed.
She was told that I regained consciousness and my oxygen level and temperature was back to normal.
I got my energy back within a few days, thanks to all the prayers from family and friends. The nutritious food that Saudi prepared as well as from two of my other sisters, Shams and Sazie, my brother, Aslim and sister-in-law, Shamina, certainly helped also.
The following week I restarted my exercise programme that I follow on YouTube, ensuring I remain fit and healthy and had good blood circulation.
Health workers
I commend the health workers for their bravery in saving lives, my life, and I pray for their safety.
Though many lives have been lost, they never gave up trying with patients even in critical conditions.
At the ER, health workers and janitorial staff were dressed in protective gear from head to toe. But how safe are they?
I also observed the patience and dedication of the health workers in doing their jobs, knowing the risk involved and that they could be in the patients’ position.
In fact, a lot of the health workers have contracted the virus. Some have succumbed but others have recovered and gone back to join in the battle to save lives.
New Yorkers and other places come together daily at 7 pm to show their gratitude and encouragement for all the frontline workers.
They open their windows or step out on balconies, screaming, clapping and banging pots and pans for two minutes.
Many Guyanese are also among thousands of New Yorkers who are dying alone at the hospitals. Sadly, they cannot even attend the burials. Nurses would sometimes contact the relatives of patients in critical conditions so they can see them for the last and maybe say a prayer.
My husband said too: “This whole ordeal made me realize what goes on with the patients’ close relatives when they are in the hospital during this pandemic. They don’t know if their loved ones are going to come out alive or they will receive a call that they couldn’t make it. It is excruciating pain and suffering. I, at least don’t want to go through it in my life again.”
My eldest sister, Nisa told me that when she heard about my condition, she was helpless.
“I felt like I was sinking into a black hole with nothing to grab onto,” she said. “There were lots of tears and prayers. I was also worried about how our parents would never be able to cope if you didn’t survive.”
Meanwhile, Zameer Sattaur, Imam of Masjid Al Abidin at Richmond Hill, Queens said in a video on their Facebook page, that they have established a Janaza (Islamic funeral prayer) programme.
The masjid is taking full commitment for burial freeing Muslim families of the responsibilities.
The masjid also supports families undergoing financial crisis, covering the full or partial expenses for the burials.
Contacted, he told Stabroek News that they receive bodies daily and that one day they had nine burials. They have so far buried over 40 bodies.
