Note: This article was a part of our Salute to Hometown Heroes special section, which published April 23, 2020. You can read the full section at haldimandpress.com/the-haldimand-press-online and choosing “Salute to Hometown Heroes”.
By Kaitlyn Clark
The Haldimand Press
FISHERVILLE—Laura Martin of Fisherville wants you to know one thing: “I can advise everyone that will listen, to PLEASE stay home. I wouldn’t wish this virus on my worst enemy.”
As a Registered Practical Nurse at Anson Place who ended up quarantined at home sick with COVID-19 herself, Martin has come to understand this pandemic better than she ever would have liked.
Martin says the potential exposure of COVID-19 was recognized at Anson Place on March 18, 2020. She was tested first on March 29, which came back negative four days later. However, she began feeling symptoms of an illness on April 2 and, as required because of her illness, she started self-isolating at home.
She was tested again on April 6 and in under 24 hours her diagnosis was confirmed: the novel coronavirus 2019.
“It started with a low-grade fever one night. The following day I was okay, just tired, which I attributed to my long shifts,” said Martin. “The following night I had a fever all night long that was difficult to break. I woke up feeling like someone was sitting on my chest and I couldn’t catch my breath. I felt very weak. I had to sit outside for hours just to help my breathing settle.”
“I lost my taste and sense of smell around day three. It still hasn’t fully returned,” said Martin, whose symptoms were “sporadic” over the next two weeks.
She added, “I would say 90% of the time I am exhausted and my limbs are tingly. I get short of breath just walking to the washroom…. My head feels like it is full of cotton. The pressure in my head varies from light to severe, which also causes eye pain…. It’s worse at night than during the day.”
As of April 9 she only had a slight cough, but it was her problems breathing that were most concerning. She received a clear chest x-ray on April 4, along with puffers to help treat her symptoms. She has considered going back to the hospital at times when her breathing became worse, but found sitting outside in the fresh air “helps drastically”.
FISHERVILLE—Laura Martin has worked at Anson Place for six years. She plans to return as soon as she is cleared medically.
While this was Martin’s experience with COVID-19, she is quick to point out that those affected by COVID-19 can have very different experiences.
“I know a lot of the other girls from work have varying symptoms. None of us are 100% alike…. There’s a few girls who tested positive and were asymptomatic,” said Martin. “Appetite and will to drink will also be poor in some cases, and it’s crucial to keep hydrated and keep eating.”
Martin’s co-workers include her own mother, who Martin says was diagnosed prior to herself.
“She had a horrible fever for six days straight,” said Martin, adding that even at day 22 she still had a slight cough, runny nose, and was easily fatigued. “Many people who are in the recovery process say they still feel very weak or fatigued doing simple day-to-day tasks.”
Beyond the direct symptoms caused by COVID-19, Martin has struggled with her self-isolation as it has meant she could not see her five-year-old daughter in person. This was especially difficult Easter weekend, as not only did Martin miss out on that annual holiday, but her daughter’s fifth birthday on April 11.
“I haven’t been able to see my daughter since this whole thing started, and I won’t be able to see her now until I’ve been swabbed negative,” said Martin, who had to remain in quarantine until at least April 16. “As a mother, it’s the scariest thing in the world to not know if you’ll be around in two weeks from now to see your child.”
As of April 16, Martin was finally beginning to feel more herself and had plans to be tested over the following days. She would need two negative tests at least 24 hours apart to be able to return to work and end her self-isolation.
Watching the virus spread through her workplace, particularly among vulnerable residents, has been extremely difficult for Martin and all of her co-workers to witness and handle: “The girls are working double shifts or extended 12-hour shifts to help maintain patient care…. It’s hard watching the residents fight this battle, especially when I know firsthand what it feels like now.”
Once she is cleared medically, Martin will be returning to Anson Place to help her fellow co-workers care for the residents, as she has done for the last six years. During this pandemic, non-essential workers can thank those who must continue working by staying home unless absolutely necessary to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Martin also requested that anyone who believes they have COVID-19 to call their family doctor or the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit first to be screened. If symptoms are too severe to wait and a visit to the emergency room is required, “call ahead to the ER before arrival so they can be properly prepared for you.”
“I think in the beginning we all thought a virus like this would never hit our little community. Everyone joked about it and still is joking about it via social media, etc., but once the virus infects someone you know, everything changes,” said Martin. “If we can do anything to slow the spread we need to.”
