My Isolation Story

It’s incredible to think it has been nearly 2.5 years since this pandemic became serious.

Overnight the tourism industry completely collapsed – we finished a camping trip just as everyone closed up, and our own holiday home became a money drain that we ourselves weren’t even allowed to visit.  We’ve had supply chain issues that started with small increases in purchases overwhelming the Just In Time supply model, but then lockdowns impacted the manufacturing process (then further impacted by a shipping jam and now a war).  The hospitality sector completely transformed – what were once pure restaurants became a pickup/delivery model.  Many began working from home, those of us who need to attend work do so with heightened safety precautions.  We rarely go to shops any more – even those of us who already shopped online significantly increased that.  And of course friends – some we haven’t seen in 2.5 years, others contact remains very limited.

My wife and I have been extremely protective of our children.  We still don’t go out anywhere near as much as we once we did, and when we do we still wear masks and keep our distance from everyone despite most restrictions lifting.  Even walking our dog we veer half-way across the road to distance those we are passing.

Sadly some (unknown to me at the time) complacency in the very week I was rushing to solve some big challenges meant I became exposed to unsanitised equipment that had been used by others.  A fever and fatigue began to slowly develop over the coming days - but having overworked myself recently, the above extremes with avoiding contact, and negative RAT tests it seemed I was just exhausted and getting a little unwell.  Then I pushed myself one day too far – I needed certain things ready for an event but really struggled to get through that day, even worked into the evening again.  I went home and crashed – a shame I didn’t instead go get a PCR test on my way home, because the next morning my throat was now sore and a RAT test this time came back POSITIVE.  Rushed off for a PCR and 12 hours later came the inevitable confirmation I was indeed positive.

Queue all kinds of emotions – how could I be positive after being so anal about avoiding contact, have I exposed my family, how can I possibly cope locked in a room for an entire week?  The anxiety was real and I was very scared, very upset.

I am pleased to reflect that reality was in fact very different.  Let’s step through how I got through it.

By the time I returned from my PCR test, and was now awaiting 12 hours for the official confirmation of what the RAT test had already told me, my amazing wife had already moved out of our bedroom.  She had a week worth of personal and work clothes, toiletries, and any other essentials.  Now in the room were some basic supplies to wash dishes in our ensuite, some food supplies, and our camping fridge.

Our camping kettle is the type for use over fires and gas so my lovely wife rushed out and bought an electric kettle.

Finally, doTERRA – this lives in our ensuite so having access to a vast arrays of scents to keep the air refreshed, disinfected, and to set my moods was a game changer.

This was it to get started, but I was in a bit of a unique situation.  Due to construction work I am doing upstairs our master bedroom and ensuite are actually a store room for all end of gear that just happened to be in the right place at the right time – computers, various cables including powerboards, a TV, books, etc.

The first few days were easy – I had so much work to do that this consumed all my time, day and night.  So a few days of hell, severe fever and a throat that felt like it had an enormous rough rock literally shoved in it, were quite distracted by the work I was trying to focus on.  This was bad, I shouldn’t have done so much work, but it did keep my focus away from being ill.

Of course we all know the difference between being vaccinated and not – the times we decide not to get a flu shot and then catch the actual flu it is like death, but while a shot won’t stop you getting it you instead experience a few days of being ill and then boom your body nails it.  COVID was the same – after a few days I literally awoke to it being gone.  No hospitalisation, no weeks of being ill, just gone.  My problem was I hadn’t rested and was exhausted – so after 2.5 days and nights of work I packed up my work gear (yes people continued contacting me but I simply discontinued replying, I’m sick let me be).

This meant I was only now truly facing isolation, and it got to me in half a day flat.  I needed air.  I needed sunshine.  I needed exercise.  However my family mean more to me than anything and there was no way I was stepping out my door.  So I climbed out the ensuite window!

I mentioned all the gear that happened to be in our bedroom – well that includes a stepladder.  I could have made do without, but it was certainly convenient.  I popped the ensuite flyscreen, lowered the stepladder, and climbed out.  The fresh air was amazing – although the bedroom windows were open getting a mouthful of 100% outside air was invigorating.  I went into the backyard, dialled up a jog program on my Apple Watch, and began running circles of the yard.  I’m sure I looked stupid, but I was sweating and getting a workout.

I climbed back in the window energised.  I read.  I napped.  I watched a movie.  And just like that, another day was already over.

The next was similar except photos I used to organise of my children’s lives, but was two years behind in, got some love and attention.  I played games of Guess Who? with my daughters, by having them take my turns via Facetime.  I paid bills.  I reorganised my clothes in the walk in robe.

Best of all I am lucky to have the most amazing wife who prepares restaurant quality meals – so good that I had to ask for the indulgence of an unhealthy takeaway burger to celebrate my last night in captivity!

In the past two years every time someone in our circle of friends came down with COVID my wife made them meals, cakes, and picked up items from the shops.  But then I come down with COVID and she’s still at it constantly asking if there is anything she can do.  Her entire life revolves around what she can do for our children and others, she is such a selfless person and while I didn’t need much the comfort of knowing she was there made all the difference.  My daughters and I are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Speaking of which my daughters were amazing – I received endless messages from them and whenever I opened the door to pick up a meal from the floor they’d be at the other end of the house catching a quick glimpse of their father.  It was so beautiful.

With a 8 solid days and nights on my hands (day 0 through to day 7) were there things I didn’t do?  I didn’t read enough.  I didn’t relax enough.  I only watched three movies.  Months of putting off organising another tradesman to help me finish upstairs still put off.  There was plenty more I could have done.

I didn’t tell anyone I had COVID, my isolation flew so fast I didn’t even get a chance to use that time to touch base with friends.  But those that did hear sent amazing messages of support – one dropped around a bag of my absolute favourite treats, the fact they knew exactly what that is brought the biggest smile.  My work even sent me a get well card – what an incredibly thoughtful and meaningful thing to do in this day and age, it was really touching.

As I step out of isolation today I emerge with several realisations:

• I was blessed to have made it this far through the pandemic and caught a weaker mutation combined with the benefit of three vaccinations – while the initial struggle was real I did not require hospitalisation, it was over quickly, and at no time was my life at risk
• I did not need much – but the fridge and kettle were two items that made a tremendous reduction in dependency on the family
• Being distracted with work got me through the initial days of being extremely ill
• The unexpected benefit of detoxing from life – being forced to focus on the little things such as reading, art, games, or something you simply don’t make time for in your busy schedule

I find myself exiting the room embracing a family I deeply missed, but also having experienced a type of escape even a holiday does not provide.

So my advice to anyone fearing the concept of isolation – embrace it, in fact given restrictions are now lifted and the spread now common place perhaps even prepare for it.  What are some of the things you love to do but simply never have the time for – get it ready and make the most of it, because it is over quicker than you would think.  At the same time COVID is real and it is dangerous – vaccinate, distance, and take isolation seriously to protect your family.