Seven days of Covid: Romy Sunny shares his experience

The Omicron outbreak has seen thousands of people across New Zealand affected by Covid-19, including Unitec staff and students. Our events and communications advisor Romy Sunny shares his experience with the virus…

“At first, I was more worried about spreading the virus, than the virus itself. Had I been selfish going out when I felt a bit out of sorts? It was a normal sunny Thursday morning, and I didn’t feel bad, just a bit off.

Because I felt odd, I decided to skip football training but I thought it was probably just aching muscles after a hard training session a few days ago.

But after midnight, I could feel myself getting sick. I couldn’t fall asleep, I was hot then cold, body aches and the feeling of coming down with a cold. By the morning I had a fever and could barely get out of bed.

Day 1

I knew I was going to test positive, but the funny part was at that point I wasn’t scared about having Covid, I was more worried about whether I’d spread it when I was out and about the day before. The guilt trip. It sticks with you unless someone says otherwise. Thankfully I have amazing people around me and their words of affirmation made me understand that the virus is the problem, not me.

Once I got the positive test result, I was sitting outside the testing station in my car, trying to think of how I’m going to tell everyone I ‘d been in contact with over the last 48 hours.

I’m trying to think about who I’d seen and where I’d been. In the condition I was in, I couldn’t think straight so I decided to call my managers Viv and Taiha first, then my landlord, asking him to email my flatmates and let them know.

It took me a while to understand the new rules around what was a close contact, household contact and casual contact. I spent the whole afternoon noting the people I met, and the places I went.

Mentally, I was trying to figure out how to tell everyone but I hadn’t. I felt better knowing that the person was aware. Not just that, but when you do confront the situation, if it’s a genuine person, they will try and comfort you. Everyone had something comforting to say, which made it easier for me to face and not feel guilty about it all.

Though I have no family here in NZ, it’s good to know I have people here who would care for me as much. I love my team for that, Viv, Taiha, Jody, Paul, Adrienne. Your support and seeing me as family, you have no idea how much that means to me!

Day 2

I thought day one was the peak, but no. Fever still high, runny nose, dry cough, body ache, fatigue and this time it was the sore throat that got worse as the day went by.

Not being able to get out and about during this pandemic is hard enough. But being in isolation, stuck in a room for up to 10 days or even more is just mad. It messes with your head, especially when you’re used to being busy, and now can’t keep yourself busy doing anything.

Day 3

I had the worst sore throat ever in my life. Every cough, every sneeze, every drop I swallowed was like a stab in my throat. I could literally feel the pulse on my throat. Just touching it or even feeling it would make it hurt. That night was just insane, I could feel my throat swollen up, but not so bad that I couldn’t breathe. It was just the pain that was killing me. I told myself it would get better the next day and if it didn’t, I would go to hospital. I tried all the remedies I could remember from what my mum and grandma used to treat us with. I kept telling myself, sweating is good, feeling hot is good, feeling thirsty is good.

Hot food and drinks, citric (lemon and orange), spicy (pepper, turmeric, ginger), however or whichever manner you take it, it’s good for you. So, for me I was worried about my sore throat more than anything else. I made sure I always had something hot every now and then. Water, soup, noodles, tea and I made sure it had pepper, lemon, honey, ginger, turmeric, one thing or the other in it. Gargling with hot salt water, inhaling hot steam mixed with Vicks. I was doing everything I could and surprisingly it was helping. Not instantly, but the next day it sure felt a little better.

Day 4

The fever was finally gone and my runny nose eased. But the sore throat and the cough were still there, trying to take me apart. I would say the night before was the scariest of all the nights. I could feel my throat all swollen with a pulse on it and the pain was excruciating. I still kept at it with the remedies. It sure was making me feel better, if not at a drastic level, but gradually. Day 4 went by trying to keep the pain in control and hoping that nothing serious happens.

Day 5

I felt a lot better. The swelling in my throat reduced. My worries were less today. I could feel my body slowly recovering and I felt grateful. I kept making sure I had enough fluids, keeping my throat warm. Having food and fruits. It was getting cruisey.

Day 6

The sore throat is completely washed out. I don’t have a fever or cold anymore, but it’s just the minimal cough that’s still hanging around. I was getting tired quickly for some reason, I suppose it’s one of the side effects. But, my morale was much higher now that I’d recovered almost completely. Able to sleep well, eat well, drink well, maybe not run and do activities yet but I was so glad.

Day 7

Almost all of my symptoms were gone except for the dry cough which occasionally hits. But I was happier, I could speak a little bit more, laugh a little bit louder without any pain or cough. The future seemed brighter. In another three days I could step out into my normal routine. But mentally, and emotionally I was sound. Physically I was not quite there yet but no worries. I know I’ll slowly work my way up.

Days of thought …

I can’t help but think of everyone else who is going through a similar or even worse situation. For those who are struggling badly, I cannot even imagine what’s going through your head but I feel for you and I hope and pray that you have the fight in you to get through it all without having the worst of it.

To those that are scared or vulnerable about this situation, it gets easier by the day. You have to take it one day at a time and be considerate about people and family around you, while you care for yourself.

Kia Kaha.”