I tested positive for COVID-19 on September 16, 2020. I coughed the first couple of days, it was dry and hacky and constant. Then, after a day I started to notice my taste and smell were gone. It’s been a year and a month now and I still hardly smell and taste anything. Some things are foul, and most of the time I don’t taste anything. It is hard to eat with no taste.

I am afraid that my smell will not return either. One day, I thought I smelled plastic, but it was the smoke from Canada coming down as I live by the Canadian Border. But like many people have experienced, there was a constant smell of old cigarettes and then a smell of ink like from a newspaper.

I have been having some issues with wheezing, and sometimes it’s so loud it drives me crazy. I am forever spitting up gunk – it’s starting to become an all-day thing. I was recently told I am a long hauler and am waiting on appointments with an ENT and a Pulmonologist. I am thankful to still be here to tell my story, that I have recovered and hopefully never get it again as I had a high temperature for 12 days and blisters in my mouth and nose. I still have blister in my nose, loss of appetite and a lot of sleepless nights.

I did get fully vaccinated with Moderna and am currently waiting on the booster. I also got the flu shot. I am very cautious, and I have underlying medical conditions, so this is a constant worry for me. All I can say is get vaccinated, wear a mask at all times, and wipe your hands when out and about. Germs are everywhere, and your hands are highly prone like your airway. I did the breathing exercises from day one and I try to wake up my senses daily with mint, cinnamon, lemon and coffee. Sometimes it helps, but most of the time it doesn’t. I take vitamins also for immunity and for hair loss.