‘Covid-19 has changed my priorities’

I am Randal Pedro and I am a Covid-19 survivor. I want to share my story of hope with others to give them hope. I decided to share my story with the Zululand community in an appeal to support each other. Let us not allow ignorance and fear to outcast those that contract Covid-19. This pandemic does not care who you are, what race, age, whether you are rich or poor, religious or not. This global pandemic can only be beaten if we stand together as a global community and in solidarity.  

Please tell us about the moment you realised you had Covid-19?

I felt shocked. I work in health care and realise that my daily interaction with Covid positive patients placed me in a vulnerable position. However, one never believes that one may contract the virus, especially since I took every necessary precaution by wearing of full PPE and adhering to protocols in relation to the prevention of the spread of the disease.  

What were your first symptoms and how did it escalate?

It started with a sore throat and tight chest. Having experienced many winters with these symptoms, I brushed it off as the common cold, but it soon escalated to shortness of breath and fever chills, which did not respond to antibiotics and paracetomol.  

 

Tell us about the journey – from when you got diagnosed until given the ‘all clear’.

One is never really fully prepared and, to be honest, the fear of dying and expecting the worst due to the media attention and daily statistics shared, makes it so much more real. Once admitted and tested, I still believed that it was just a chest infection. When the pathology results were released, it felt like someone handed me a death sentence. All of a sudden the harsh reality of mechanical ventilation and the risk associated with it became so much more real. Due to hospital visitation protocols and fear that my wife could be potentially exposed, I was admitted in the high care unit in an isolation cubicle.

We needed to make sure that my wife was tested. That was the longest 48 hours of my life. By the grace of God, all her tests came back negative. My biggest worry and fear was that I could have put her at risk.

Once we knew my wife’s test results, it afforded me the opportunity to focus on getting better. I had to follow the doctors’ orders and rest, as my body needed time to heal. For me, this was the hardest thing to do, as I cannot sit still. This disease brought my life to a complete halt and forced me to allow others to care for me, which as an independent and head-strong person was probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

However, the positives that came out of this journey, made it so much more special. I learnt the value of time, family and friendship. Most of all, I learnt how much people really do care. That gave me courage and strength, as I realised the impact that I have made in people’s lives since my arrival in Zululand just over three years ago. Not a day went by without people showing me their caring nature.

By Monday 17 August, after just seven days in hospital, I had shown enough improvement to be discharged. Not a minute too soon, as by that time I longed to be home in my own environment, surrounded by familiar things and people. But, going home was not going to be what I envisioned. I was cautioned to take it easy, to isolate and continue with oxygen support and nebulisation at home, which in itself posed the risk that I could deteriorate and be re-admitted.

In my mind, I was not going to let that fear manifest and decided to have faith. What a change that made! My soul was at peace and by just being home, I realised I had made it much further that so many others…

The next week at home proved to be challenging. Isolation for the protection of my family and distancing myself from our household at times was stressful and lonely, but that soon settled. Being in a familiar environment aided so much in my recuperation.

After two weeks at home, I had a follow-up appointment with my physician. Further pathology results confirmed that I was over the worst and on my way to a full recovery. I was declared fit to return to work on Tuesday, 1 September 2020.  

How did it feel to be a patient in your own hospital?

On the day of admission I could see the fear and worry in the eyes of my staff. As healthcare workers, we all know the risks and if it is one of your own, it just makes it more stressful. However, I had full faith in them – and told them so. I could see them calming down and focusing on treating me like any other patient in their care.

I regard these nursing practitioners as my heroes. They are phenomenal beings and despite their own fears, the fears of their families contracting this disease, they constantly put patients first.

That, to me is courage: knowing the risks, but yet they are at the forefront of combatting the spread of the disease.

 

Were there some moments that you felt seriously concerned about your health?

On my day of admission, I was still adamant that I could do my Covid test, receive medication and be on my way home. After being examined and X-rayed by my physician, my reality was an admission to high care for an unknown period of time. I had pneumonia in both lungs and became progressively more oxygen dependant.

On the second day, my doctors, who are also my close friends, started to speak about ventilation. This was probably the worst time for myself, my wife and my friends who had to make life decisions for me.  

What pulled you through?

The professional care of my staff, in whom I put my complete trust. They nursed me back to health with love, support and understanding. I prayed to God to give them the strength and courage and to bless those hands that heal, and that mercy and protection cover them whilst they care for me and so many others that suffered as a result of this Covid-19 pandemic. 

As I left the hospital after seven days in high care, I left with the assurance in each and everyone of them and their capabilities as professionals. Then there was my wonderful support structure: my wife, Dr. Jayeshnee Moodley, and my family whom I adore and live for.  Their love and support gave me the strength to win this battle.

I kept thinking of the time I still wanted to spend on this earth, the love I still had to give and the legacy I still wanted to fulfill. There is something to be said about the fear of waking up at the age of 40 and realising that your life can be over at any moment. In that moment, I decided that things needed to change: my outlook on life, my priorities in terms of being a family man and the legacy I wanted to leave one day and be remembered by.  

My outlook has changed completely. When you realise that at any moment you can take your last breath, it gives you a reality check and opportunity to reassess your life. In that moment, I decided that change starts with me, I needed to tell my wife and family how much I love them as the fear loomed that I could be ventilated due to the pneumonia, which would result in me not being able to speak.

The thoughts that go through one’s mind is horrifying as you are faced with the realisation and understanding that complications can set in at any point in time. Being a healthcare professional, the fear is so much more real, as you are so much more aware of pathology and radiology and the markers that send-off warning lights and that makes the fear so much more real.

But, my faith and belief in God is what kept me sane. It was as a result of contracting this disease that I realised that faith can move mountains and change situations. Within hours of being hospitalised my friends and family started a prayer chain and messages of encouragement, hope and motivation started streaming in.

My mind was focused on getting better and my mother kept on reminding me that a positive mental outlook, combined with determination, gives you the ability to overcome your fears. That was my breakthrough – I became determined to get better, determined to change people’s mindsets and stigma about those that have contracted Covid-19 and I became determined to tell my story of hope to others to give them hope.

This is why I decided to share my story with the Zululand community in an appeal that we can support each other and not let ignorance and fear let us outcast those that contract Covid-19. I heard so many people questions: “Did you not take precautions?” and people passing commentary about social standing and living conditions.

One thing I learned through my experience was this pandemic does not care who you are, what race, age category, whether you are rich or poor, religious or not, and one can take as many pre-cautions – and my staff can attest to that fact as I daily reminded them in passing about washing their hands, disinfecting surfaces, maintaining social distance and wearing of appropriate PPEs.  

Tell us about the moment you knew you had beaten the illness.

I recall waking up on Friday, 14 August and sending my wife a message, telling her that I was feeling better and wanted to go home. After five days away from home, I missed the closeness of home and loved ones, and that was breaking point for me. Being married to a clinician is never a straight forward or easy discussion.

My wife responded with compassion and understanding by saying we would run some more tests and once the results were available, we would discuss it with your team of clinicians and take it from there. Not the answer I was looking for, but needed to hear. The results would determine my fate, and in that moment, I knew my body was going to have to play along if I was ever going to walk out of hospital on my own two feet. The test were done, showed some slight improvements, but not nearly close to putting me in a position to be discharged home.

I forced myself to get out of bed. I decided that if I was going to beat this, I needed to be on my feet and my mind needed to be crystal clear, so I started to tell myself that I needed to get better to get in touch with nature and to take a breath of fresh air on my own. In that moment I knew I wanted to live and I wanted to have an opportunity to experience the simple things in life that we so often take for granted.

Being contagious, Covid-19 does not allow any human interaction without PPEs, no hugging, no touching of any form and definitely no affection, but we live in a new age of technology and the numerous calls, video calls, messages and inspirational quotes allowed for substitution of all of the above, and that gave me the comfort and reassurance that would pull through – not only for myself, but for those that were praying for me to safely return home to my family.  

How are you doing now?

I am much better, but the road to recovery is a process. My medical team advised me to slowly integrate back into the new normal, taking pre-cautions to prevent re-infections and possible chronic lungs disease, avoiding doing things as per normal and engagement with people as they could be carriers, which would put me at risk.

Isolation and minimal contact is now part of my life and so many others, but the fear of this cannot become a prison for me. I cannot live in a glass cage and my outgoing personality does not allow me to hide from the outside world. That being said, it necessitated in me making certain life changes – for the better one would hope, as my focus is now more on living healthier, listening to the warning signs and realising that I am human and taking care of myself should be a priority to enable me to take care of others.

Most Covid survivors will confirm one gets tired on exertion and what seems to be simple, things like climbing three flights of stairs, now necessitates having to take a break halfway up to catch one’s breath.

 

However, my recovery is on track and the progress made since my discharge has been phenomenal. I no longer require any assisted oxygen to breathe, nor do I require any nebulisation and that in itself is a milestone in my recovery, as there were concerns that due to me having had double pneumonia together with Covid-19 that my recovery would take much longer, but by God’s grace and mercy, I was able to return to work on 1 September.

I have vowed to make a meaningful contribution of raising awareness regarding this pandemic and breaking down the stigma associated with it. Covid-19 is a lonesome disease and it promotes isolation, which has a psychological effect on patients that should not be underestimated.

 

In your personal experience, are people overreacting or are they not taking the pandemic seriously enough?

There are no conspiracies. Covid is real. I was at my best health when I contracted this virus and yet I spent seven days in a high care facility. Every day we see loved ones being lost – young and old, because people don’t abide by the rules and regulations of social distancing. This global pandemic can only be beaten if we stand together as a global community and in solidarity.

 

I am sure there are many people whom you would like to thank for their support?

I want to thank the Zululand community at large, every one who sent messages of support, prayer and encouragement. Special mention and thanks to the following (and please, this does not take away from any of the other appreciations expressed):

• My wife, Dr Jayeshnee Moodley (Obstetrician & Gynaecologist) who despite running a private practice and fulfilling her obligations to her patients, was there for me every step of the way. I stand in awe of her courage and determination to serve her patients despite the fears of losing her spouse. She played an integral part in my treatment. Despite being a clinician specialising in the treatment of women’s disorders, she made it a priority to gather information regarding this disease, reading and attending webinars relating to treatment plan changes and constantly engaging with her colleagues and her peers in both private and academic to ensure that she consulted with my attending clinicians daily to track my response and my body’s susceptibility to the medication.
• Bilal Gafoor (Pulmonologist), a good friend of mine from Cape Town, and Dr Ashley Murugan my physician whom both executed my treatment plan with diligence and vigour. Thank you both. Also all the other clinicians practicing at Melomed Richards Bay – you all were phenomenal, popping in daily to keep a watchful eye. Despite caring for your own patients you all still made time to pay me a visit.

• Ahmed Chohan (COO Melomed Private Hospitals), who left no stone unturned since the day I was admitted, and behind the scenes ensured I lacked nothing in terms of care, assistance and comfort.
• Thank you also to all my colleagues at Melomed, with whom I have had the privilege of working for the past 12 years. Thank you for offering your support and assistance to my family and the Melomed Richards Bay team during this very traumatic and stressful time. It is in times like these that we realise the importance of colleagueship and thank you for offering my team the emotional support needed to care for me during this difficult time.
• My amazing family, friends, colleagues, staff, associates and even patients who all kept the prayer chain going. I am so blessed to have you all and thank you for all the messages of hope and encouragement. It really meant a lot to me and my family and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

• Mr Phillip Nkaphani Mdima (Enrolled Nurse). You have been my confidant, my carer and my friend during this whole ordeal. There are no words to describe my immense gratitude for your sacrifice whilst caring for me, you and so many other that were assigned to care for me whilst I was ill. When I went off the rails you brought me back with scripture, prayer and jokes and gave me the courage to keep going. I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me. I pray that you will be blessed with good health so that so many other patients can experience your caring demeanour that impacted my life all the while you were professional and ensured that the doctors’ orders were followed meticulously.
• To all the staff at Melomed Richards Bay. If ever I need to put my faith in you again, I will do it in a heartbeat because I believe in each and every one of you.

I am Randal Pedro and I am a Covid-19 survivor. My storm is over now. Now it’s time to heal, rest, recoup and regroup.

#COVID19survivor

#Iamawarrior 

#melosurvivor