“Inuubo ako ng mabigat. Madaling araw nag check ako ng temperature ko, turns out around 38 degrees na. Tapos may pantal pantal ako so sabi ko baka natuyuan lang ako ng pawis.” This was the initial reaction of Ievol Susej Pereira the moment she was tested positive in COVID-19 virus.

Ievol is a registered physical therapist and married to a registered nurse who is working in a public hospital. They had the thought of acquiring the virus from his husband who is a frontliner during the first surge of COVID-19 virus last 2020. “Naka-assign kasi iyong asawa ko that time sa COVID ward” she added. The moment she felt too much pain in her symptoms, she decided to go to a hospital and be checked by a doctor. “Kinabukasan, nagpadala na ako agad sa Emergency Room ng isang ospital. Normal naman lahat ng vitals ko kaya nag pa-SWAB na ko then I quarantined myself while waiting for the result” Ievol said.

She also prepared herself for the possibility of being a positive patient and said that there’s a lot of thoughts running around her head since it happened during the first surge of pandemic. “May 6, 2020 noong pumasok ako ulit sa kwarto ko, I felt the peace. And I know it’s God who is giving me the assurance that He will be with me and my family in this journey. Maya- maya pa, may tumawag na at sinabing positive ang result ng RTPCR test ko.”

Ievol also mentioned that the moment she heard the news, they coordinated to Caloocan ambulance and went to Medical City to be admitted since she is working there. “Tapos nilalagnat na rin pala si Bela (her daughter) iyong 2^nd baby ko. Doon talaga ako nag breakdown kasi baby pa siya at pure breast feeding ako sa kanya.” And she decided to let her family to undergo in RTPCR test as well.

“May 8, 2020 positive na rin family ko. Sinend ko na lahat ng details ng bank accounts ko sa mommy ko noon just in case anything happens to me. Gusto ko na agad ma-admit noon pero under monitoring pa ko since di pa ganon kabilis ang proseso sa bansa dahil first time na-experience iyong virus.” Ievol said.

After almost having all the symptoms of COVID-19 virus, she found out that Bela (her daughter) accumulated the virus as well and had a mild- pheumonia.  “Nagka- anxiety attacks ako. I had some quick thoughts while handling my baby in front of the hospital’s window na try ko kaya palakarin anak ko sa walking lane ng window’s cleaner. So I immediately walk away from that area. Grabe iyong anxiety and battle sa utak mo. Grabe”, she added while crying.

Ievol’s quarantine period last for a month since the doctors are still working on studying the mutation of virus in human’s body that time. It wasn’t an easy journey. Until she, her two kids and husband received a favor to be placed and quarantined in one small room provided by the public hospital where her husband is working. It was then happened the moment they know the news that her older son is also a positive patient.

“Kahit sino pwede makakuha ng virus, Walang pinipili iyong sakit pero ang Diyos ang aagapay sayo. Kaya noong nalaman ko na may available COVID-19 vaccine na, I took the chance at nagpakuna na. Right now, fully vaccinated na kami and definitely it can protect us.” Ievol stated it while emphasizing the essentiality of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Her journey is just one of the most struggling stories from all COVID-19 survivors and a living proof of COVID-19 vaccine protection. Get vaccinated and protect your family.

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