I knew it would catch up to me eventually, but it was still a shock. After two and a half years of doing everything right, I found myself looking at a positive COVID-19 test last winter. I have asthma, and I knew this would not be "just a cold" for me. While I was very fortunate and was able to take antiviral medication that helped to curb some of the symptoms, I still had a “new normal” to cope with. The virus affected my breathing in ways that I was hoping to avoid. I told myself it could have been worse. I could have been hospitalized or on a ventilator. But somehow, I was still annoyed. I had to take multiple different nebulizer treatments several times a day. I was on prednisone for a few months. I couldn’t talk for too long or I’d get short of breath and have to take another treatment. I couldn’t walk up the stairs without huffing and puffing. I could no longer take my usual route in my daily walks around my neighborhood. It was frustrating, to say the least. Was this a “new normal”? Would I ever get my stamina back?
Does this story sound familiar? Have you ever experienced a setback or flare-up (exacerbation) that made you feel frustrated, angry, and maybe even a little bit scared? Anytime we have an exacerbation, we have a “new normal” that we have to work through. Some people might only experience it for a few days or weeks, and others may feel this way for longer periods of time. While it may be a frustrating experience, there are ways to make your recovery a little easier:
1. Be kind to yourself. You’ve just been through a major illness or exacerbation. Be patient and know that recovery takes time.
2. Make a list of all your medications—especially the new ones—and make a schedule so you don’t forget to take them. You can set reminders on a smart phone or write down notes on your calendar. It also helps to keep your medications in a handy spot in your home. Make sure that you understand whether your new medications replace an old one, or if they are supposed to be taken in addition to your usual daily medications. If you’re not sure, call your health care provider’s office and find out.
3. Pace yourself. Pacing is what helped me through my recovery. If I knew I had to do a lot of talking at work, either in a meeting or a phone call, I would not schedule more than one meeting a day. I cancelled anything that wasn’t important and slowed my pace down considerably. I also made time for my afternoon walks but took a different route that was easier, and I walked for a shorter time. Once my stamina improved, I slowly added time to my walk until I was back to my normal pace and distance.
4. Set reminders for your follow-up appointments with your health care providers. Be sure to write down any questions you may have and bring them with you to your appointments. If you feel comfortable doing so, bring someone with you to take notes. Then you can focus on the conversation without forgetting anything that is said.
5. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You might need help with little things like carrying laundry up the stairs, or bigger things like getting a ride to a doctor’s appointment or doing grocery shopping. Everyone needs help sometimes. It’s nothing to be shy about!
What would you add to this list? Are there any tips or tricks that helped you through a difficult time? I’d love to hear from you!