Early COVID Patient Reflects on Recovery and Long-term Effects
July 16, 2020
Lisa Askew
Lisa Askew is a recently retired counselor from Fairfax Elementary School in Valley, an associate member of the Pilgram Baptist Church in Lanett, an adoptive single mom of her 8-year-old son, and a COVID-19 survivor.
“My COVID-19 story began when our church celebrated our pastor’s anniversary the weekend of March 15,” said Askew. “Unknowing to our congregation, there were people that visited who had been exposed to the virus. I believe I contracted the virus at this event. I had symptoms the following week, and I attributed them to allergies. I took some over-the-counter medicine, but instead of getting better, it got worse. I began to notice I didn’t have any taste, and I could not smell anything. It never occurred to me that I could have COVID-19.”
Things continued downhill for Askew. “On March 29 my symptoms got worse, and I was having difficulty breathing,” Askew explained. “I was taking a shower, and I felt like I was going to pass out. Since I was home alone, I called 911 and an ambulance came and took me to EAMC. When I got to the hospital, they took an x-ray of my chest and told me that I would need to be on a ventilator. They explained I most likely had COVID-19, then they gave me the test.”
Everything happening so fast was extremely scary to Askew, however she credits her relationship with God with her getting through the fight. “I remember being scared and praying that I would be okay,” Askew said. “I whispered a prayer for God to cover and protect me. I asked him to let me live for my son, and that was all I remember until 14 days later!”
After those two weeks, Askew said “I felt like I had been run over by a truck. My body wasn’t cooperating with me, and I was full of tubes. I remember when I realized I had a port in my neck, a feeding tube, a catheter, and a breathing tube. I just cried, and I knew I was extremely sick.”
Askew says the worst part of COVID-19 was the feeling of being alone. “It hurts that you are separated from your family,” Askew said. “I would never want to infect my family, but I missed them so much. I wanted someone there with me. The nurses were fantastic and would tell me when my family called. It made things better, but it was still lonely.”
When she left the ICU, Askew couldn’t communicate well due to soreness in her throat. She would wave her hand and asked for pen and paper. “It was so frustrating because the nurses were so sweet, but they didn’t understand me,” Askew said. “They would encourage me and wipe my tears.”
Askew says that the staff at EAMC were what saved her. “My dad passed while I was in the hospital,” Askew explained. “It was the first time I saw my sister in three weeks. She came and told me to fight to get better because she couldn’t lose anyone else. Due to hospital rules, she couldn’t stay long, but I remember the nurses and techs coming in and checking on me as well as comforting me. They were very attentive to me that night and the next day. I will never forget that in the moment when I didn’t have anyone, the staff at EAMC was there!”
Askew wasn’t well enough to attend her father’s funeral, but it was live streamed for her in the hospital. On that day, the nurses were again right there with her.
“One of the reasons I will never forget the hospital staff is when I was asked if there was anything that could be done to make me feel better, I asked to get my hair washed,” Askew said. “It was in bad shape from sweating and being sick. Two ladies washed and took the time to do my hair. I think that was above and beyond the call of duty. Kellie, the 5th floor manager, went and got hair products to make me feel better. You just don’t find that kind of care and service anywhere else!”
Askew also gives credit to the Physical Therapy crew for her recovery. “They prayed with me and didn’t let me give up,” Askew stated. “One step turned into three and three steps turned into walking around the room on a walker! There were plenty of tough days, but no one gave up on me and they continually encouraged me.”
Once Askew got home she greatly improved because she needed to get around and move from room to room. She was on the walker for about two weeks after she was discharged, and then she progressed to walking on her own. Askew is still dealing with some breathing issues and waiting on her lungs to heal. Her voice is still not fully recovered. Her son is back in the house with her as of now and her niece stayed with her for the month of May to help take care of her.
“I was in the hospital for 31 days,” Askew explained. “I still can’t believe it! I was admitted on March 29 and discharged on May 1. I know God kept me safe, and I thank Him for EAMC! They were outstanding and worked hard to keep me alive. From my understanding, there were some bad days when it looked like I would not make it, but they never gave up on me!”
COVID-19 completely changed Askew’s life.
“I am now dealing with a new fear of crowds,” Askew said. “I do okay in small groups, however when I see a bunch of people gathered I get very nervous and start praying. I am fearful for them!”
Askew also explained that although she has recovered from COVID-19 she is continuing to have new health issues that she did not have before. “I am still having breathing issues, and it has been almost four months,” Askew explained. “I still suffer from tightness in my chest as well as wheezing! I was planning to return to work in the fall in a new role, however now that will not be an option. I am working on regaining my strength because it is unbelievable what this virus can do to your body!”
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