25/4/2020
After landing at the airport ,I finally got to my hotel room at 8h30pm
I was exhausted and had a bad migraine ,
I unpacked , had a shower and dinner
I washed my clothes I had on during the flight
After getting settled I went to bed
Day 1 26/4/2020
I woke up at 7 am and felt much better after sleeping 9hours
I did a workout for 35 minutes and had breakfast at 8h30(Omelette with 2 small sausages and 2 potato wedges ,small snack bar and banana)
Lunch was served at 2pm-Steak in tomato sauce with barley rice
Drank some water
3pm -drank small water 330ml
16h00 Resting pulse 67 BPM
Dinner at 7pm - couscous ,potato and chicken ,not hungry only at half
Slept early
Day 2- 27/4/2020
We had temperature checks twice in the day once in the morning and once in the evening
Woke up at 7am ,slept at 9 the night before (10 hrs)
Feeling better well rested
Had 1 cup coffee and 3 cups water
Exercised for 30 mins (HIIT workout)
Breakfast served at 8h30
Not hungry only ate half
Scrambled eggs ,tomato chutney ,1 sausage with a slice of bacon .
11h00 ate yoghurt and fruit salad
Lunch 2pm
Piece of chicken in sweet sauce ,vegetables and 2 pieces potato with bread roll
packet of chips
small bottle of water
small snack bar
Slept 4 hours in the afternoon after taking a headache pill
Dinner was beef stew with rice, salad with a bread roll ,wheat cracker ,and cheese
We still haven't been tested for the corona virus ,the nurse said maybe the next day
Day 3 28/4/2020
Woke up at 6am
Slept 9 hours (kept waking up through the night)
Feeling more rested
Pulse 63 bpm
waist 84 cm
hip 102 cm
2 glass water
Exercised 35 mins
Breakfast at 9am
Omelette with ham .Yoghurt .Coffee
11h00 -had fruit and half bread roll with jam plus cup coffee
11h45 cup of herbal tea
Made a schedule of things to do over the next few days, wrote my blog on my repatriation experience
Lunch at 2pm
Pasta with bolognese sauce.small juice
Snack bar
Dinner :
Chicken with lentils and vegetables
Bottle of water
In addition to the exercise walked 2611 steps (about 2kms)
During the day I also spent a lot of time messaging family and friends as well as talking on skype ,as they were concerned
Slept at 10pm, not good sleep ,kept waking up
Day 4 29/4/2020
I woke up at 6am. Didn't sleep that well ,I kept waking up
Its cold and foggy in Johannesburg ,the temperature is only 9 degrees celsius
Breakfast was served just after 8am -scrambled eggs ,sausage in tomato gravy with potatoes .We also got a small fruit salad ,a snack bar ,a small yoghurt and a juice
My temperature was checked by the nurse at 10h00 -it was 36,4 degrees C
I told myself I wouldn't exercise today as I was tired but I felt guilty and landed up doing a workout for almost an hour.I burned more than 400 calories and walked 1,6km.
I watched 2 movies -1 comedy and 1 psychological thriller
Even though the sun eventually came out it was very cold
1h15pm -we have just been informed the testing will be done tomorrow at 9am by the Department of Health
Lunch
Chicken a la king with rice ,a banana and a bottle of water
Had another temperature check at 2pm -36,8 degrees was the reading
Spoke to friends on Zoom ,then tried to nap but couldn't .I was feeling tired and had a headache
Dinner - We had lasagna which was nice
Day 5 30/4/2020
Woke up at 4h30
Slept 5 hours
I woke up feeling very tired and frustrated that I cannot walk around and the room is so
Breakfast- We were served scrambled eggs ,bacon ,baked beans and potatoes
I wasn't that hungry so I only had a small amount of the food
After breakfast I was tested for the corona virus .It was a nose swab which was very uncomfortable but the doctor was very gentle
Lunch was a sausage with mash potato
I posted a video about my experience to date on You-Tube
I didn't do any exercise today
Dinner was delicious ! It was couscous with stuffed grilled chicken and salad
I drank about 5-6 bottles of water(330ml) throughout the day
Day 6 -1/5/2020
I woke up early and slept about 9 hours
I didn't feel hungry in the morning so I had very little breakfast .
I worked out for more than an hour and felt much more energized after
The weather looks great outside and it wasn't as cold
The nurse checked my temperature in the evening -it was 36,2 degrees C .She said we would probably have to wait till the 4th-5th May 2020 to get the results as it is a long weekend in South Africa
 |
| Our nurse checking my temperature |
The food wasn't great today and I ate less .
I spoke to friends online and generally felt good
Day 7 -2/5/2020
I slept really well ,about 11hours
I only did 15 minutes of exercise today ,besides walking in the room
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with a sausage
I don't normally eat breakfast ,and especially not eggs everyday
I worked on my blog and prepared to do a You tube video
I spoke with my family and friends
The nurse checked my temperature in the morning -it was 36.6 degrees C .
I feel fine today
The lunch was not good ,it was very spicy so I had a bread roll and a cup of tea
The dinner was a bland pasta which I did not enjoy so I landed up eating cookies for dinner .I watched 2 movies and slept at 9pm .I was restless and woke up twice during the night
Day 8-3/5/2020
Woke up at 7am ,slept about 9 hours
They brought the breakfast early -at 7h30 ,I wasn't hungry yet so watched church online
Then ate scrambled eggs .I am so tired of eggs every day but I eat it as we dont have any other food till 2pm
I was not in the mood but I forced myself to exercise (did 52 mins )
I forgot to mention that my brother is using me as a case study and asked me to send him stats of my measurements daily
I snacked on some yoghurt and fruit pieces around 10h30
Nurse came to check my temperature at 11h00 -it was 36,7 degrees celsius
Walked around the room after this
Lunch was served at 2pm .It was mashed potato with beef strips in a tomato gravy. Didn't enjoy it so I just ate the mashed potatoes and had a bread roll with cheese spread
Dinner was delivered at 6h30pm and it was delicious ! finally a good meal again - we had a chicken breast with creamy spinach rice and butternut squash
I walked a bit after dinner and watched tv
I spent the day watching television and relaxing
Slept at 9 pm
Day 9 - 4/5/2020
Woke up at 6h20 and I slept 9 hours
I didn't feel hungry when breakfast came so I just had a cup of water and a coffee
At 9am I walked the room for 15 minutes (600m)
Watched a food show online
10h00 walked again for 10 minutes (400m)
Drank 2 bottles of water
11h00 had breakfast (scrambled eggs and sausage with piece of bacon) .It was cold so I heated it up with the hotel hairdryer
12h30 -did a mini workout for 15 minutes (90 squats,100 jumping jacks ,ran out the room)
Drank 2 bottles of water
Had lunch at 1h30pm -Sweet and sour chicken with vegetables.I wasn't that hungry so I only had the piece of chicken .
Walked around the room periodically during the rest of the afternoon and then watched some television
The nurse came in the afternoon to check my temperature and I took a selfie with her -she's so nice !
I had to message the hotel reception to get clean linen as our linen was never changed to date
Feels good to have clean sheets !
Dinner was spicy again -beef in a spicy sauce with rice.I did not enjoy it as I do not like spicy food
watched a marathon of the 90-day fiance
Slept at 9 pm
Day 10-5/5/2020
I spoke to friends online and generally felt good
Day 7 -2/5/2020
I slept really well ,about 11hours
I only did 15 minutes of exercise today ,besides walking in the room
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with a sausage
I don't normally eat breakfast ,and especially not eggs everyday
I worked on my blog and prepared to do a You tube video
I spoke with my family and friends
The nurse checked my temperature in the morning -it was 36.6 degrees C .
I feel fine today
The lunch was not good ,it was very spicy so I had a bread roll and a cup of tea
The dinner was a bland pasta which I did not enjoy so I landed up eating cookies for dinner .I watched 2 movies and slept at 9pm .I was restless and woke up twice during the night
Day 8-3/5/2020
Woke up at 7am ,slept about 9 hours
They brought the breakfast early -at 7h30 ,I wasn't hungry yet so watched church online
Then ate scrambled eggs .I am so tired of eggs every day but I eat it as we dont have any other food till 2pm
I was not in the mood but I forced myself to exercise (did 52 mins )
I forgot to mention that my brother is using me as a case study and asked me to send him stats of my measurements daily
I snacked on some yoghurt and fruit pieces around 10h30
Nurse came to check my temperature at 11h00 -it was 36,7 degrees celsius
Walked around the room after this
Lunch was served at 2pm .It was mashed potato with beef strips in a tomato gravy. Didn't enjoy it so I just ate the mashed potatoes and had a bread roll with cheese spread
Dinner was delivered at 6h30pm and it was delicious ! finally a good meal again - we had a chicken breast with creamy spinach rice and butternut squash
I walked a bit after dinner and watched tv
I spent the day watching television and relaxing
Slept at 9 pm
Day 9 - 4/5/2020
Woke up at 6h20 and I slept 9 hours
I didn't feel hungry when breakfast came so I just had a cup of water and a coffee
At 9am I walked the room for 15 minutes (600m)
Watched a food show online
10h00 walked again for 10 minutes (400m)
Drank 2 bottles of water
11h00 had breakfast (scrambled eggs and sausage with piece of bacon) .It was cold so I heated it up with the hotel hairdryer
 |
| Heating my breakfast with a hairdryer |
12h30 -did a mini workout for 15 minutes (90 squats,100 jumping jacks ,ran out the room)
Drank 2 bottles of water
Had lunch at 1h30pm -Sweet and sour chicken with vegetables.I wasn't that hungry so I only had the piece of chicken .
Walked around the room periodically during the rest of the afternoon and then watched some television
The nurse came in the afternoon to check my temperature and I took a selfie with her -she's so nice !
I had to message the hotel reception to get clean linen as our linen was never changed to date
Feels good to have clean sheets !
Dinner was spicy again -beef in a spicy sauce with rice.I did not enjoy it as I do not like spicy food
watched a marathon of the 90-day fiance
Slept at 9 pm
Day 10-5/5/2020
I woke up at 7am .I felt a bit tired as I woke up during the night for 2 hours .
They served breakfast at 8h30 -it was good -omelette with cheese and a piece of bacon .
9h30 -The nurse checked my temperature ,it was 36,6 degrees celcius
I watched a show on television then at 10h00 I decided to do a workout (body combat ) after which I felt a lot more energized .After taking a shower I walked around the room
We sent our details to a lady who works for Home away from Home who can hopefully expedite the results as soon as possible
Lunch was delicious -it was past with a Bolognese sauce with a small bread roll .I also had a bag of chips
I had to message the reception to ask about a group of people that came in the night before from the USA as I was so worried about the hotel using the same staff for all of us and the risk of cross infection but they reassured me that they had separate staff and were following precautions
The nurse checked my temperature at 4pm -it was 36,2 degrees C
Dinner(chicken and salad) was served later at 7h20 ,so had soup and bread before
I walked a few metres to digest my food
I watched Man like Mobeen on Netflix -its so funny
I found it very difficult to sleep ,finally fell asleep at 11pm then woke up a few times during the night
Day 11-6/5/2020
I woke up at 7am
I slept 6 hours so Im feeling very tired today
Had breakfast at 8am
I didn't feel like exercising today so I watched television
The mood among the passengers is tense as it is Day 6 post testing and we still do not have our results.
The medical team initially announced that people could do private testing but then changed and said it is not possible.This upset a lot of people as they are restless and want to leave as they have seen others who had the private testing leave early
The medical team initially announced that people could do private testing but then changed and said it is not possible.This upset a lot of people as they are restless and want to leave as they have seen others who had the private testing leave early
For me personally ,I would like to know and it is frustrating however Im trying my best to hang in there
Lunch was served at 2pm and was absolutely delicious ! Chicken a la king with rice and peppers
I walked around the room again and then rested
At 4h30 pm the nurses came around to check my temperature -it was 36,2 degrees celsius
I had a delicious dinner -lasagna ! This day was a good one as far as food goes
I slept at 10pm after speaking with my parents
I walked about 2,5 kms for the day
Day 12 -7/5/2020
Today I woke up at 7am .I slept fairly well ,about 8 hours for the night
Breakfast was the same ,scrambled eggs with a piece of bacon and some yoghurt and fruit pieces .
I didn't exercise yesterday except for walking around the room so today I tried doing a high impact cardio workout but 10 minutes into it I felt pain in my left ankle which I sprained twice last year ,so I changed to a core workout
I drank 2 bottles of water
The nurse came to check my temperature at 10h30 -it was 35,9 degrees celsius
I spoke to my friend for about an hour which was nice
They served lunch at 2pm -it wasn't bad -sausage and mashed potato
After lunch I walked for about a kilometer
One of the other people that landed with us sent us an email of a doctor who could provide our results earlier.I emailed him and he replied that he would check and let me know
I watched a movie and slept at 8pm as I was really tired
One of the other people that landed with us sent us an email of a doctor who could provide our results earlier.I emailed him and he replied that he would check and let me know
I watched a movie and slept at 8pm as I was really tired
Day 13-8/5/2020
I slept till 8 am but woke up once or twice during the night so I slept about 10 hours !
Breakfast came late and was macaroni and cheese so I only had some fruit and yoghurt
I checked my emails and the doctor still had not replied with my results however some of the other people received it !
One of the girls messaged that they lost her results but she had been tested privately anyway .
The situation is becoming very stressful as I really want to know what my results are and its already Day 13 !
By 11am after having reached out to a few people the nurse finally replied that she was preparing my permit !
I thought they would first give me the results then give me the permit to leave.
At 12pm I received an email from the laboratory to say that they couldn't find my results so I didn't understand how the nurse could give me a permit to leave without my results
For the rest of the day I repeatedly tried to get answers from both the lab and the nurse but only received a visit from the nurse at 4pm to tell me she's very sorry and she was given the wrong information and that I in fact ,did not have any test results and that they got my name mixed up with someone else ! I was shocked -how is that possible to get names mixed up ?
I had made contact with the nurse from the private lab and she arrived to take my test .The nurse from the facility then called me to confront me as to why I am testing privately (she didn't know my results were misplaced and that another nurse had given me the wrong information)
While I was trying to explain my situation to her ,she told me she would call me back and then I received a call from the doctor regarding my misplaced results .He apologized profusely and said he would be arranging for me to be discharged ,however I said I wanted to know my status .He then said is was fine for me to do the test privately so I asked him to explain the situation to the onsite team.
He said he would get in touch with them to tell her to allow it .
The private nurse came to my room and she did a throat swab and said I would receive the results after 24 hours
After this the nurse who called me earlier to apologize for the inconvenience, after speaking with the doctor
This was a very frustrating day and the first time I really felt I couldn't take this
I had dinner and tried to relax and I felt better after a while
I slept at 10pm after watching a movie
Day14 -9/5/2020
Today I woke up at 5am.I feel a lot better after yesterday's chaos .Most of the other people I was with have their results and will be leaving today.I heard one of the people's test was also lost by the government lab and he had a private test and it turned out to be positive and he was sent to another isolation facility .It is so scary waiting for results as you could be positive even though you have no symptoms.
This morning Im reflecting on what the future may hold for me .I am feeling positive compared to yesterday ,however it is the waiting that is the most frustrating part of the process .
If you had asked me at the beginning of the year what I thought 2020 would hold in store for me ,I would never have imagined it would be this .
I am still grateful that I am closer to home and not alone in Dubai .
Its is beautiful sunny day outside and I yearn to feel the sun on my face again.I guess this experience has taught me one thing -patience !
I ate breakfast at about 8h30 and it was the usual -scrambled eggs and a sausage ,with yoghurt and fruit on the side .
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and watching television and following up on my test results .
Till the evening I still didn't receive my results even after following up with the nurse
Day 15-10/5/2020
I checked the app at 1h30 am and found my results to be negative !! Yay
I mailed the nurse my results and she replied that she would be giving me a permit to be released
I cannot express the relief and joy I feel.I am so grateful to be able to actually go home
This has indeed been an experience filled with stress, anxiety, frustration and so much more but today I know it is all worth it
Im going home !!!!!
TIPS FOR BEING IN QUARANTINE
Breakfast came late and was macaroni and cheese so I only had some fruit and yoghurt
I checked my emails and the doctor still had not replied with my results however some of the other people received it !
One of the girls messaged that they lost her results but she had been tested privately anyway .
The situation is becoming very stressful as I really want to know what my results are and its already Day 13 !
By 11am after having reached out to a few people the nurse finally replied that she was preparing my permit !
I thought they would first give me the results then give me the permit to leave.
At 12pm I received an email from the laboratory to say that they couldn't find my results so I didn't understand how the nurse could give me a permit to leave without my results
For the rest of the day I repeatedly tried to get answers from both the lab and the nurse but only received a visit from the nurse at 4pm to tell me she's very sorry and she was given the wrong information and that I in fact ,did not have any test results and that they got my name mixed up with someone else ! I was shocked -how is that possible to get names mixed up ?
I had made contact with the nurse from the private lab and she arrived to take my test .The nurse from the facility then called me to confront me as to why I am testing privately (she didn't know my results were misplaced and that another nurse had given me the wrong information)
While I was trying to explain my situation to her ,she told me she would call me back and then I received a call from the doctor regarding my misplaced results .He apologized profusely and said he would be arranging for me to be discharged ,however I said I wanted to know my status .He then said is was fine for me to do the test privately so I asked him to explain the situation to the onsite team.
He said he would get in touch with them to tell her to allow it .
The private nurse came to my room and she did a throat swab and said I would receive the results after 24 hours
After this the nurse who called me earlier to apologize for the inconvenience, after speaking with the doctor
This was a very frustrating day and the first time I really felt I couldn't take this
I had dinner and tried to relax and I felt better after a while
I slept at 10pm after watching a movie
Day14 -9/5/2020
Today I woke up at 5am.I feel a lot better after yesterday's chaos .Most of the other people I was with have their results and will be leaving today.I heard one of the people's test was also lost by the government lab and he had a private test and it turned out to be positive and he was sent to another isolation facility .It is so scary waiting for results as you could be positive even though you have no symptoms.
This morning Im reflecting on what the future may hold for me .I am feeling positive compared to yesterday ,however it is the waiting that is the most frustrating part of the process .
If you had asked me at the beginning of the year what I thought 2020 would hold in store for me ,I would never have imagined it would be this .
I am still grateful that I am closer to home and not alone in Dubai .
Its is beautiful sunny day outside and I yearn to feel the sun on my face again.I guess this experience has taught me one thing -patience !
I ate breakfast at about 8h30 and it was the usual -scrambled eggs and a sausage ,with yoghurt and fruit on the side .
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and watching television and following up on my test results .
Till the evening I still didn't receive my results even after following up with the nurse
Day 15-10/5/2020
I checked the app at 1h30 am and found my results to be negative !! Yay
I mailed the nurse my results and she replied that she would be giving me a permit to be released
I cannot express the relief and joy I feel.I am so grateful to be able to actually go home
This has indeed been an experience filled with stress, anxiety, frustration and so much more but today I know it is all worth it
Im going home !!!!!
TIPS FOR BEING IN QUARANTINE
- Do some for of physical exercise -this will lift your mood
- Keep a journal of your time -it will give you a sense that your time is progressing
- Start and end each day by writing /reflecting some positive affirmations -this will help to reduce any negativity you may be feeling
- Organize your day, keep a schedule of your plan for the day
- Focus always on the end goal i.e you will be going home and that this is temporary
- Make sure you keep in touch with loved ones and express exactly how you feel- don't feel guilty for feeling frustrated ,anxious ,unhappy .Its good to talk about your situation
- Dont feel ashamed to cry -its okay .You are human and it is a tough situation
- CONGRATULATE yourself for every single day you completed! It is an achievement and you should be proud of yourself
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH SOMEONE WHO IS IN QUARANTINE
- Keep in touch with them regularly -they may be going through a whirlwind of emotions and its important to check on them
- Be supportive -remember you DON'T KNOW what they are dealing with ,so don't minimize their emotions or 'guilt-trip' them into feeling bad for expressing how they feel .Showing empathy is so important so they do not feel like you do not care
- DON'T tell them to be grateful they are not in a worse situation like having cancer or not having food to eat .This is probably the WORST thing you could say to someone in quarantine as its not relevant to their situation.What they are experiencing is very difficult and you will never truly understand it unless you have experienced it .
- Congratulate them regularly -tell them how proud you are of them and how strong they are .This goes a long way to motivate them
