Day 78-82: Hospitalized-and Home.

Good evening, my friends. I know some of you already know this, but some may not. I have had a few people ask where my blog was the last few days and unfortunately, I was in the hospital.

I am home now, and very happy to be able to be resting here with my husband and pup.

I am going to take time to reflect on exactly what, and how, to share my experience with you all who are interested in hearing what it is like to be hospitalized on a COVID "hot zone" unit in my area. Although I was on the COVID unit, I tested negative for COVID-19 and my healthcare team did so much to help me get back on my feet. The reason I was on the unit is because I had some symptoms that presented as possible COVID on entry and I needed admission overnight to keep fighting off the virus I have had since mid-April. In order to protect the health of the staff there, I was placed on the unit pending my test results. I was moved on my last day to a non-COVID area after being cleared.

I was in hospital for five days total and feel humbled by the experience in ways that I hope may resonate with some of you. As I said, more to follow about the innumerable poignant experiences I shared with my dedicated healthcare team and what my experience was like in a general. I feel it is important to at least try to put pen to paper and explain how our "healthcare heroes" are that, absolutely that, but so much more than we can even imagine without seeing it firsthand. I am coming home with an attitude of gratitude and am feeling optimistic about my recovery in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all of you guys for the messages of love and support, as well as your patience, as I sort out my feelings of deep sadness, fear, and gratitude after being in that environment. We have to step up for one another right now, guys, across the board. I believe in us.

Prepare, don't panic, my friends.

-Allison