“Nalungkot ako ng kaunti noong malaman ko na positive ako. Pero dahil OFW ka, kailangan mo maging matatag at Diyos ang matibay mong karamay.” This was the reaction of Amy Cabreros-Ducay the moment she found out that she is a positive patient of COVID-19 virus.

Working as a medical secretary in a private hospital in Alkhobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amy is aware of the risk from the virus. Last January 25, 2021, she was tested positive. As she continually shares her story, it was a great relief that the hospital where she is working had served an immediate response towards her case. “Niresetahan agad nila ako ng antibiotics, Vitamin C + Zinc and Vitamin D the moment they got the result. PInayuhan na mag quarantine muna for 14 days at i-observe raw kung ako ay may simptomas” she added. Gladly, she just had mild symptoms.

After three days, her husband was tested positive as well. “Noong nalaman ng asawa ko na positive rin sya, kinailangan naming mag isolate. Magkahiwalay muna ng kuwarto. Parehas kami nawalan ng panlasa at pang amoy” Amy said. There was even a moment when she had to cook “lugaw” for both of them and manage not to put any salt in it since they have no sense of taste during that time. Amelia also said that the isolation wasn’t that easy but “I always see positive or good things in every situation. Sabi nga nila diba, positive kana edi maging positive thinker kana rin!” she added. Weeks after, she and her husband were no longer positive and totally recovered from the virus.

Last March 2021, she decided to go back in the Philippines for good. “I was advice by my doctor in KSA na possible pa akong mag positive dahil sa antigen sa katawan kapag nag swab sa Pilipinas pero after 6 months, pwede na raw ako mag pabakuna” Amy added. And as expected, she was tested positive Asymptomatic in COVID-19 virus and was quarantined in a hotel located in Manila. “I did not feel any worry at all noong time na iyon. Kasi alam ko rin naman na posibleng ganoon ang maging resulta and I told my kids and family to pray for me lang na mag negative na sa second swab” she said.

Amy is permanently residing in the Philippines again. As a former OFW and by adapting the disciplined system she had during her stay in KSA, she decided to get a vaccine because she believes that it could help her immune system be boosted against the virus. “I highly recommend everyone to take the vaccine. We rather be part of the solution not the problem. Nanay ko nag pabakuna na rin at sinabi niya na mas lumakas ang kanyang resistensya” she emphasized.

Having a natural antigen is indeed not enough to fight COVID-19 virus. Just like Amelia, it is evidently seen that taking a COVID-19 vaccine is a must for our body.

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