A COVID-19 survivor’s story: How I pulled through 16 agonising days in NCID

I felt unwell on February 10 and I went to the GP the next day.

The doctor gave me two days of medical leave. I then learnt that two of my colleagues had tested positive for COVID-19, so on February 12 I went to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) to get myself tested.

My sister was quite worried and she assured me that I would be alright. At about midnight, the doctor from NCID called to say I had tested positive. They were sending an ambulance to fetch me to NCID.

I was in a state of shock.

I packed some essential items. My elderly father was asleep and I did not want to wake him up as I knew he would be very worried. I realised I could be infectious and I quickly put on a mask before and informing my family – I kept a distance from them as I did so.

My sister was very worried and I told her that I would be alright.  I thought I would stay in NCID for just a few days.

At the NCID, I stayed in an isolation room which had double glass doors.

There was a hatch from which I could retrieve food, clothing and medicine.

It was a clean and comfortable room with an attached washroom and a huge glass window with a view of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. I had to wear a gadget on my wrist to monitor my movement, and another gadget strapped to my groin to monitor my temperature.

I became afraid to go to bed at night. I felt frightened and alone.

The next morning, I received phone calls from the Ministry of Health, asking me for the contacts of anyone I had met during the past two weeks. The next day, CID called me and asked for contacts of those I met a month ago. It was a tedious process tracking through my calendar, especially since I was feeling groggy due to lack of sleep and a slight fever.

Back home, my family was put on home quarantine for two weeks. My father became ill with anxiety – he was admitted twice into hospital, though thankfully he tested negative for COVID-19. I also received news that my colleagues and some close friends were placed on home quarantine for two weeks.

In my NCID room, the doctors, nurses and cleaners were fully garbed in protective gear each time they entered my room. I realised the risk they were placing themselves in, working at the frontline. I became more stressed as I heard the news that the number of infected cases was rising. I learnt that some were in the Intensive Care Unit and I grew more worried.

I felt very alone and miserable.

I would walk up and down my room to get some exercise. My only respite was to sit by the window and watch the sunset every evening.

The view of the rising and setting sun from my NCID room. Photo: Wai Ching.

Then it got worse. I started having chills and fever. I lost my appetite and every night I had a high fever, for almost 10 days – the doctors administered Panadol and it brought some relief. But I developed pneumonia and my liver functions were affected, so the doctors had to stop administering Panadol unless the temperature was very high. They were puzzled as it was unusual for patients to have such a long bout of high fever.

I became afraid to go to bed at night. I sometimes felt frightened and alone, because I did not see any of the nurses after 9pm, and all the lights in the corridor were off.

I was too sick to pray or to even reply the many WhatsApp messages sent to me. My body was very much weakened. I was very upset that all this was happening to my family and me.

I had hit rock bottom.

One night, when I was feeling very sick, I heard voices speaking to me, telling me that I would die.

I knew then that I had to pray. I began to cry out to Jesus, asking Him to deliver me through this storm, out of this infirmity. I asked Him to protect me. I commanded the spirit of death and hell to leave my room. From that moment onwards, I did not hear any more of those death threats.

That was the turning point.

On the tenth night, I decided to make a hot drink and have some biscuits before I went to sleep. Somehow, the hot drink felt so invigorating that I could hardly sleep. I drank warm water the whole night and the phlegm began to clear from my lungs. I managed to sleep for a few hours.

The next morning, I was surprised – I felt so refreshed. The fever had subsided completely.

The medical team started doing daily nasal swabs from the 11th day. I waited with anticipation, praying and hoping for the swab tests to turn negative. On the 16th day, I was completely cleared of COVID-19!

HOW I FOUND HOPE

In the 10 days when the coronavirus effects were at their worst, I had a high fever and chills every night, but when morning came, the fever would subside. And so, every morning, I looked forward to seeing the sun rise.

And each morning, I would play the song, 10,000 Reasons.

The lyrics from the song reminded me about the heart of God: Loving, kind and good.

I saw God’s goodness working is other areas of my life. My family was brought closer together in this crisis: My siblings helped buy groceries and meals for the family, and constantly called or texted me to ask how I was doing.

I am also grateful to church friends and colleagues who were praying for me and my family.  They also bought food, drinks and essential items for us. They were especially concerned for my elderly father. 

I saw that truly Singapore is blessed with compassionate healthcare workers. The medical team worked tiredlessly throughout my stay at NCID. The nurses who did the nasal swabs always comforted me as they knew how uncomfortable the process is. The doctors were always so encouraging, assuring me that I will recover and be discharged soon.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNT FROM THIS?

I now realise how fragile life is. I know that when I leave this Earth, I will bring nothing with me.

This crisis has caused me to slow down and seek God. Now I do not want to take my health for granted. I take time to exercise daily. I treasure my family and friends much more than before – they played a great role in my recovery.

I know that even if I should die, I have the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

I thank God for a new lease of life and I want to live this life for Him. But more than that, I know that even if I should die, I have the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

To those reading: If you find yourself in a hopeless situation, why not turn to Jesus for help? He understands how you feel, He cares about you and He is able to help you. I have experienced His healing and deliverance. What my God did for me, He can also do for you.

Would you turn to Jesus in your time of need?

READ: WHO IS JESUS?