How do I start this? I guess, just come right out and say it. "I got Covid, and I am sure I was the one to bring it home to infect Ray." Oh how I hate to write those words. Ray and I had been so careful, so diligent and conscientious in following all of the advice given to keep Covid out of our home. We are current on our vaccinations, and we usually wear masks when in stores, etc. Ah, that is the downfall, we became lax and complacent and the Covid virus nabbed me and then attacked Ray.
It all began on a Thursday. We had planned to go to Jazz in the Garden to enjoy time with friends while listening to some good music and being outside. Thursday afternoon I began sneezing and feeling a bit achy. Darn, I better not go to the concert even though I had already prepared some snacks to take.
I went to bed early knowing that a good night's sleep usually chases away colds for me. Instead, the symptoms became worse. If you have had Covid, you know what I mean, and if you haven't, well, you have heard all about it; feverish, achy, coughing and sneezing. I decided to test for Covid on Friday morning. Of course, this was a new type of test and I had to read the directions carefully. They all require sticking that swab up your nose which resulted in more sneezing. Now, the wait. Fifteen minutes and I would be able to know that I had just a summer cold. I had just started the timer when I noticed another line forming on the test plate. What! That fast! Oh, no. I have Covid.
I told Ray, he tested and his came up negative. I called the doctor, got a tele-appointment for the afternoon and then just chilled. Well, I slept. I felt exhausted after the morning test. Since I am high risk, because I am 72 and I do have asthma, the doctor prescribed, Paxlovid. Ray could pick it up at the pharmacy in an hour. An hour came and went and the pharmacy did not call. So, I called them. They did not have the prescription. I called the doctor and was told that it had been sent. Oh, I forgot to say that my doctor was out of town so I was dealing with someone else, but felt like things were okay.
We waited until about half hour before the pharmacy closed, and called again. No prescription was called in. Grrrrr I would wait until the morning and tackle this then. I knew that I needed to start taking the Paxlovid within a few days of getting Covid for it to work, so I wanted to get it soon.
Saturday: Called the pharmacy. No prescription. Called the Doctor (of course, I am not talking directly to the doctor, but to someone answering the phones. The woman checked. She said the prescription had been sent in. Called the pharmacy. No prescription, and they checked all of the other stores to see if it had been sent to the wrong one. Called the doctor. Asked person on phone to call the doctor and resend it. Waited on line while she did that (or said she did). Called the pharmacy.
Now here is when I feel a bit ashamed of my behavior. Granted, I was feeling lousy so my coping skills were low. A nice young man answered the pharmacy line and I nicely asked about my prescription. He checked. No prescription. And then I heard myself say (I couldn't stop my words even though my mind was telling me not to) "I am at high risk. I am 72 years old. I have asthma. I might die!" When I said that I might die, the young man half gasped and I could tell he had no clue what to say to this 'elderly woman' who was scared she was going to die. I did say quickly, that I knew that was an exaggeration, but that it was serious and I was frustrated.
At that time, (it was still morning) I gave up. I quarantined upstairs, and figured I would tackle the prescription mess on Monday. I crawled in bed and just slept a feverish sleep.
Around 6:30 I open my eyes, and Ray's masked face is looking down at me as he hands me the box of Paxlovid! My Hero! I told him he was my hero through my tears of relief. He said, "No, I am your husband." He had spent the whole day tracking down the doctor, going through the same frustrations I did, but finally, he succeeded! The pharmacist decided to call the doctor and that was what worked.
Ray rushed to Kroger pharmacy to pick it up and they told him my insurance did not cover it!!! He had them call Walgreens and they would take my insurance, so Kroger transferred it there.
So you know why I call Ray my hero! I had just given up for that time, but he knew the importance of getting the medication as soon as possible. Thank you, Ray. You are my hero, and yes, you are my husband, too.
I feel kind of bad because now Ray has Covid, and I feel I was the one who brought it into the house. I have learned my lesson though. Don't get too complacent, especially when Covid is spiking. Just because we had escaped this virus, we were not immune from it. As, Hans Solo said, "Don't get cocky,". And I do think I had become a bit cocky. Darn, not the way I wanted to learn that lesson.
