TEXAS LADY JUANITA
I have, all-be-it annoyingly, always followed the rules that civil society holds dear. For example, the year is 1977, and I am in a long line to see the FIRST EVER Star Wars Movie. My husband, and our best-couple friends decide to go way up to the head of the line and cut in. Being me, I said no I would not do it. They said they would try to save me a seat. I was literally the last person they let in to see the movie. The long line behind me had to wait a few hours for the next showing. I guess, for me, this was the first symptom of the demise of civil society. My husband and friends thought I was a fool, and that they had done nothing wrong. In the 43 years from then to now, I have witnessed the decline of who we were when we were amazing to the entire world. Something happened three days ago that made me cry, and I have not stopped crying.
For you to understand my points of view, I will do a short timeline . . .
8/19/2020 Pre-surgery #1 Corona Virus Test was negative.
8/24/2020 First in a series of two Epidural Injections. I have had many over the years for my severe low back pain. I have also had four major back surgeries. Currently my back pain is off the charts. This first injection kicked in late on day two and lasted almost a month. When it abruptly stopped working, my back pain was more severe than before the first injection.
9/23/20 FIRST – Pre-surgery #2 Corona Virus Test.
9/25/20 Notified my result for Covid Virus Test was positive. My 9/28 surgery is canceled.
9/28/20 FIRST SCHEDULED for Second in a series of two Epidural Injections. This one is cancelled.
9/29/20 Dr. Naik, Internal Medicine, my PCP’S nurse sent me this message in response to my questions:
THE THREE LINES THAT PERTAIN TO ME ARE IN ALL CAPS FOR EASE OF UNDERSTANDING:
“Per Dr. Naik; If you have been asymptomatic and know the date of possible exposure, then recommend 14 days of self quarantine from last exposure date.
IF YOU HAVE BEENB ASYMPTOMATIC AND NO KNOWN EXPOSURE, THEN RECOMMEND 10 DAYS OF SELF-QUARANTINE FROM DATE OF THE POSITIVE TEST.
If you have been symptomatic and since you have RA and are on immunosuppressant meds, then recommend 15 days of self quarantine since onset of symptoms and need to have improvement in symptoms/fever free for 24 hrs prior to lifting quarantine.
NO NEED FOR RETESTING. TEST CAN STAY POSITIVE UP TO THREE MONTHS.
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PROCEDURE DONE AFTER YOU FINISH THE QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATIONS APPLICABLE TO YOU.
Advise on good hydration, good hand hygiene, social distancing practices, mask use.
If you are having symptoms and they become severe (shortness of breath, chest pain/chest tightness, intractable fever/chills) then you should go to ER.”
9/30/20 SECOND TIME SCHEDULED for Second in a series of two Epidural Injections for 10/8/20.
10/1/20 Text Message 10:55 a.m.:
“We are attempting to reach J. Holloway to schedule a test ordered by Dr. Sewielam. Please call (phone number M-F 9a-8p.) I returned the call and she set me up for my second pre-surgery #2 Corona Virus Test for 10/2/20. I added it up in my head and verified that this will be day ten of my quarantine period.
10/2/20 SECOND Pre-surgery #2 Corona Virus Test.
I arrive at Clear Lake Kelsey Seybold on time. I enter the building. The machine takes my temperature, and it is normal. She flashes 3 pages on her clipboard of symptoms, and I answer no to all of them. She asks me if I have ever tested positive, and I answer yes, and I have been in quarantine since 9/24. I tell her that I am in so much lumbar back pain, could I borrow one of the three wheelchairs at that station. She says yes, and tells me she will be right back. She comes back and tells me to wait out there, and I wheeled myself to the waiting spot between the two sets of automatic doors, thinking I need to keep waiting in line. She comes to the doors and tells me, no, I need to go outside the building and wait.
I waited a long time. Eventually a large woman comes outside and at least 6 feet away and tells me to leave the premises. I tell her that I have an appointment that the nurse in the spine clinic / pain clinic set up for me; and that I need to pee – desperately need to use the bathroom. She is very rude and tells me to leave. I start asking questions and she simply walks back in the building.
I sat in that wheel chair with an 8 out of 1 to 10 pain level, thinking what to do next.
A security guard comes out and tells me to leave. I am so embarrassed, with other patients coming and going. I tell him I desperately need to use the bathroom. He tells me to go to the convenience store nearby.
I AM IN SHOCK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED WITH SO MUCH DISRESPECT, AND CRUELTY IN MY LIFE. THEY TREATED ME LIKE A CRIMINAL. I must have been outside about 45 minutes. I used their wheel-chair to go to my car, and I told the security guard he can come and get it after I leave.
10/2/20 My doctor’s office is shocked at my treatment, and schedules me again for the Covid Virus Test for the following Monday, October 5, 2020.
10/3/20 Galveston County release me from quarantine.
The triage RN at Kelsey-Seybold releases me from quarantine.
I told both nurses what happened, and they were shocked. I am told that I should be able to have my procedure without re-testing, just as my Internal Doctor PCP, Dr. Niak’s instructions indicated; BUT ~
my spine doctor says HIS PROCEDURES SAY I have to be re-tested. If it comes back negative again, I cannot have the MUCH-NEEDED PROCEDURE.
I am afraid to ask if that means I will have another 10 day quarantine.
10/5/20 UPCOMING: THIRD Pre-surgery #2 Corona Virus Test.
10/8/20 UPCOMING: Second in a series of two Epidural Injections.
I AM IN SO MUCH LUMBAR PAIN THAT GOES DOWN MY RIGHT LEG ~ I CANNOT WALK MORE THAN A FEW STEPS AT A TIME BEFORE I HAVE TO GET OFF MY FEET. My pain level is up there at 8 and 9 in the middle of the night.
In previous years, the first injection frequently does not last more than a few weeks, but the second one lasts many months. I am desperate to have the second injection to see if I can stop chasing pain ~ meaning that my medications are no longer keeping my pain under control. And yet, I am afraid to go again, for them to possibly treat me so awful again.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:
– Why do none of these (SO-CALLED EDUCATED) medical people understand that the Covid Virus HAS A 99.99999% SURVIVAL RATE?
– Why do none of these (SO-CALLED EDUCATED) medical people understand that their mask’s holes in their fiber are too large to stop a tiny virus?
– I am left wondering about how much this virus has degenerated in its infection strength – BECAUSE – If a 68 year-old woman with at least 5 co-morbidities, tests positive, and has ZERO SYMPTOMS the last 12 days, then what are we all worried about?
Copyright © 2020 by Juanita Holloway-Walters
texas lady juanita 