Surviving COVID-19 in 2020

I remember the surreal moment when I received a phone after taking a rapid COVID-19 test, that I was indeed positive. My positive diagnosis led to my husband and our oldest son contracting COVID-19 as well in December 2020. Thankfully, our two youngest children never showed any signs of COVID-19 and tested negative. While my son and I had a mild case, my husband suffered for several weeks and at one point I thought he would need to be hospitalized.

I asked for all the prayer warriors in my life to pray for all our healing, but there was a moment when I asked everyone to pray specifically for Mike because I could see him making a turn for the worse. He had a terrible cough, couldn’t get out of bed and was very weak, a walk up one flight of stairs was exhausting. I am a strong believer in prayer. I’ve seen prayer make a difference in my life many times, as well as others. I have no doubt that the prayers of our family, friends and even strangers helped Mike heal and fight the virus.

Today, we all are well and have no long-term signs that many others have shown. We are COVID-19 survivors, by the grace of God!

The Decision to get the COVID-19 Vaccine

I felt guilty about exposing my husband and our children to COVID-19. I believe I know how I contracted the virus, but since I don’t know for sure I can only tell you that I was not out doing anything reckless or putting myself in situations that I should not have. I chose to get the vaccine because I wanted to make sure that I protected not only myself, but my family too.

Shortly after I received the vaccine, our oldest son, Jayden, asked me, “So, when am I going to get the vaccine?” This question sparked a conversation about him getting the vaccine. He did not want to contract COVID-19 again. Mike and I agreed that the vaccine was a good way to protect himself from getting the virus again. Shortly after that talk, I made his appointments.

Mike was a bit hesitant about getting the vaccine. I talked to him about it and shared how I felt after getting it. Other family members shared with him as well that they got the vaccine and how their body responded. I was soooo happy when Mike told me that he decided to get the vaccine.

How the COVID-19 Vaccine Impacted All of Us

I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t nervous about getting the vaccine, mainly about any side effects or allergic reactions. But my first shot only made me feel a little tired the same day I received it and my second shot made me feel dizzy just a few minutes after I received it. I’m told both reactions are normal and not out of the ordinary.

Jayden experienced minor aches and pains with the first shot and the second shot made him feel bad. He pretty much stayed in the bed the day he received it and the day after.

Mike experienced hardly any symptoms with his first shot and his second shot. I think it may have had something to do with how bad having COVID-19 hit him, but I’m not a doctor and can only speculate.

Fast forward a few months, when the booster shots became available, I knew that I wanted to get it. But I didn’t run to the doctor to get it until I had dinner with an old friend whose husband is a pediatrician. When he shared that the vaccine only gives your body immunity for 5-6 months. I knew I was nearing that date and that I needed to get the booster. So, I made my appointment. Around the same time, children aged 5-12 were also able to get the vaccine and I contacted their pediatrician and found out they were having a vaccine clinic. I signed up our two youngest
boys, Chase, and Kaleb.

My Response to the Booster Shocked Me

When I went in to get my booster, I really thought that it was going to be just like the others, that I would have minor side effects. But I was very much mistaken. Just hours after receiving the shot, I didn’t feel well. I decided to get in the bed, just two hours later and I was asleep within the next two hours and slept the entire night. I awoke to muscle aches and pains that reminded me of when I had COVID in 2020. I decided to work from my bed because I couldn’t take a sick day due to filling in for my boss because he was on vacation.

That same day our two youngest boys were going to get their first vaccine shot. It took everything in me to drive them to that appointment. I talked to their doctor about my symptoms, and she assured me that they were very common and should subside within 24 hours. And, she was right, just two hours after the 24-hour mark it was like the symptoms just went away.

Both Chase and Kaleb experienced no side effects and played around the house as normal like nothing every happened. They recently went back for the second shot and again no side effects. Both Jayden and Mike have appointments scheduled to get their booster shots.

I wanted to write this blog to share our experience not only about surviving COVID-19, a virus that has killed millions of people all over the world. But, to also share why we decided to be vaccinated and what our individual experiences were like because each were different.

God does not make mistakes

I have no doubt that we have a purpose on this earth. We survived COVID-19 for a reason. I do not believe that God makes mistakes.

If you are reading this blog, I hope you feel more informed and that it helps you have the talk with your family and friends about the COVID-19 vaccine. I encourage you to ask questions. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via a comment on this blog or you can DM privately on Instagram @hyacinthrucker.

Check Out Dr. Martha Dawson’s IG LIVE with Me. I’d also encourage you to watch a recorded IG LIVE I did with Dr. Martha Dawson back in May 2021 on the Mommination platform. She answered a lot of questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. I highly encourage you to watch it and share it.

If you are interested in scheduling your vaccine, just visit ourshot.in.gov to find a clinic near you.

Mommi Hyacinth