Wow. Well, today we got some news that I was not expecting, but is really, really awesome. After four months of battling this crazy virus, I got the results from my antibody test: my body has produced antibodies indicating I was exposed to the coronavirus.
While my doctor and healthcare team had been working under this assumption since my pneumonia and hospitalization requiring oxygen in May, I was still shocked. Our best guess is that the first antigen test I was given was either not finely tuned enough early in the pandemic, or that I was actually sick before a nasopharyngeal swab (the dreaded nose swab!) would have been able to pick up an actively replicating virus.
After my brief respite in late June-early July, my symptoms switched when I lost my sense of taste, spiked a high fever, and felt several other "tell-tale" signs of COVID-19. My doctor had me wait for my fever to reduce long enough that we could be sure I would not infect the person administering my test, or anyone else who might be in the waiting room, to get an antibody test. As I said, this test is sensitive not to if you have the virus actively, but whether your body has the markers that AT SOME POINT it encountered the virus and fought it off.
When I got the email and follow-up call that I was positive, I legitimately dropped my phone our of surprise. Thankfully, it fell only about six inches onto my lap. I think that I have had an imposter syndrome more than anything else this whole time as my classic presentation did not elicit the "typical" test result.
This is such good news, you guys.
When I felt so sick, I wanted to be able to know I was fighting off COVID because it means that now: I am able to donate my plasma to other COVID-19 patients.
This is HUGE! Since we have a teaching hospital near us, I will be going to a place where they can use an ELISA, which is used not just to determine if you have the antibodies, but how many you have. This provides information and insight into research, even if (by some bizzare twist) I do not have enough antibodies in my body to donate a therapeutic supply for someone else. I am praying that I do, and that we can measure the decay (or not) of my antibodies over time as news of reinfections continues to pop up.
I am still trying to get my mind wrapped around the fact that I had COVID-19; I got the coronavirus; I beat the coronavirus.
Yes, I needed some oxygen help. Yes, it was the sickest I can remember being. Yes it was the worst physical feeling outside of some post-op experiences.
But I beat it.
But for real:
I am working with a specific group where I live, but if you want to learn more about donating plasma, two great organizations to work with are:
1) The Red Cross:
2) The Fight Is In Us.
If you have recovered from COVID-19, first, congratulations you amazing human you! Second, please, please donate! In speaking with the person who got me started today I already learned so much about how this helpful process works for those who were not so fortunate as I in how they are recovering.
Also an important note: just because I have these antibodies does not mean in any way that "get to," or will choose to, not follow the same protocols as before. SElfishly, we don't yet know how reinfection works. Also, if me wearing my mask is a reminder to you to keep 6 ft of distance, or run back to your car because you forgot your mask, I got you. Masks on, physical distance in place, wash those hands, donate when you can, and keep smiling because we can all see it in your eyes. Let's keep moving forward, my friends.
Prepare, don't panic,
-Allison
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