Rough time

Guillermo was feeling pretty bad at the end of April.  He had all the symptoms of that Corona Virus - except for the major one - shortness of breath.  But every other symptom was there, including all the new symptoms that they just added at the end of April.  Guillermo had felt like this several times before in years past - we figure it is somehow related to his Pulmonary Fibrosis.  So, when this Corona Virus came and started spreading around the city, I wondered how in the world would we know if it's the Corona Virus or just another one of those episodes that he's having.

Like before, his cough was rough, he had aches and chills, an upset stomach and his fevers usually came in the evenings.  Two times his fever got as high as 102 and 103.  He finally called the doctor around Apr. 27 and they set up a video conference for April 30th.  It was tough having to wait those three days.  As luck would have it though, Guillermo started feeling better on the 30th!  But the video conference was still on and after discussing everything with the doctor, the doctor determined that Guillermo should get some lab tests done - and also get the Covid-19 test.  And that he should go that very day.  So, not being able to go to the doctor's office for those tests, I dropped Guillermo off at the emergency room of the Methodist Hospital which is where the doctor had set up an appointment for the lab tests.  The hospital ran all the necessary labs - except for the Covid test.  They said they just didn't have enough tests to give to someone who wasn't exhibiting any symptoms of the virus and especially the major symptom of shortness of breath.  I picked Guillermo up two hours after dropping him off and he said the whole thing was a grand waste of time.  He felt very safe there in the emergency room though.  He said no other patient was there, and that he only dealt with two nurses who were taking every precaution - and then some!!

The next day, May 1, his doctor calls and says that he has a Covid-19 test for him and to come by his office and they'll administer it outside the office.  So he drove over there, parked at a certain numbered door, called the office and waited.  Finally someone came out dressed from head to toe in full hazmat gear.  Guillermo said getting that Covid test was very uncomfortable because they stick that long swab way way up your nose until it can't go anymore.  On May 2nd they called and said his Covid test came out negative.  So that was a relief.  We still feel like we should be careful for the next two weeks because he was, after all, in an emergency room and even though everything seemed to be well taken care of there, you just never know.