I have struggled while coming forward, but, I want to inspire hope. Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi’s, one of the first Nigeria UK RETURNEES with COVID 19. After testing Positive to the COVID 19, @ Ayodeji Osowobi was recently discharged from the infectious Disease hospital, Yaba. She survived COVID-19 and now represents a thousand hopes that we will succeed in our fight against this pandemic.
Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi runs a Non-Governmental Organisation about Rape Survivors, Oluwaseun who was the flag bearer of the Commonwealth Service, and the same event all royal family and British Minister attended and soon got Covid19. Seun wrote on her Twitter page.
I returned to Nigeria from the UK post commonwealth event (I totally enjoyed) and fell ill. As a responsible person, I self-isolated, days after, I tested positive for COVID-19.
Before returning, I had planned several interviews, I was scheduled to start a fantastic consultancy job and was also expecting to sign a contract worth millions I lost them all, I had to self-isolated and also inform people I came in close contact with to get tested #COVID19.
My friend and I kept calling @NCDC government to get tested. What if we didn’t persist?
No info on my test result. At 12am, an ambulance was at my house. I woke from sleep and was crying. I got to the isolation centre,but no one was there to receive me. I waited in the ambulance for two hours. The nurses eventually came out and treated me like a plaque.I sat in the ambulance feeling rejected.
No questions about how I felt.So many questions about my travel history.Same information I had provided to NCDC and Lagos State Government during profiling.
Lack of data sharing after two hours, I was taken to my space. I felt lonely, bored and disconnected from the outside world. Few days after, another patient came in we bonded. Days later, patients trooped in.
Are people observing self-isolation and social distancing? I was so scared for Nigeria.
The next days were tough. No appetite. Nausea, vomit and stooling were unbearable. I am a blood type A and #COVID19 dealt with me.
I thought I was going to die and contemplated a succession plan for a stand to End Rape.
Days after, the doctor’s shared good news that I tested negative. I shared this news with family and friends, my blood sample was taken and I also tried to donate my plasmapheresis to help others. I hope to be discharged.
I waited to be discharged, but, for two days, nothing happened.
I was on drugs daily, sometimes, I would take 8 tablets in the morning,13 tablets in the afternoon,10 at night. My system threw everything out! Water, food, soup and all disgusted me, but, I will look at the wall and force myself if to stay hydrated or drink ORS. I FOUGHT TO LIVE! I FOUGHT.
I was unsure of what was going on. Why haven’t I been discharged? should I be in the same ward? could I get re-infected? I was worried but remained calm.
On the 3rs day, doctors said, ”well, we worked with the info we had of you testing negative, but, one result came back positive, you will stay a few more days. You know we take nose, mouth and sputum samples. Am I still positive? I asked? No, you are negative” the doctor replied. The doctor apologised for the delay. I was anxious to go home, but, remained calm. I wanted to be free from this pain.
Today,I am proud to inform you that I murdered Covid19 and I have tested negative twice! I have been discharged. I bless God for His Mercies. The nurses at IDH Yaba were fabulous. They deserve accolades for their hard work. Thank you Governor @jidesanwoolu for coming to see me. Prof Akin Abayomi, The health team at IDH +Lagos State. The food was good.
Thanks to @dondekojo for helping me get help. Thanks to my chat buddy,@kelechiAFC and @lailajohnsonsal for the mental and material support.
They protected my identity. Huge thanks to my family @Triciabiz and @solaodetola who were my backbone. Some stigmatised me based on a PUNCH article with a subtle message like “ why did she come back to Nigeria” Nigeria is my home. #Coronavirus is Not a death sentence. People can survive and I HAVE.
Thanks to everyone who called, sent messages and tried to contact me.I am grateful and well. This experience reminded me of the value of friendship. Some People I refer to as friends speculated about this, but never reached out to check.Thank you still. Back to the grind. To every young person out there, please give your lungs a chance to beat this. Can I encourage you to stop smoking and live a healthy life at this time? A healthy lung is KEY. This is another phase of my life and I have won!
I celebrate my resilience and strength. Call me a SURVIVOR.
People have asked to know about their symptoms and the medications I was given while on admission may I implore you to contact credible sources @NCDC government for symptoms and testing and @LSMOH for more information about the recovery process. The nurses at IDH Yaba really are the champ and a source of hope, daily, they come in close contact with patients to take BP, SP02, pulse reading three times a day etc. I am Uber proud of the male ware of the #LagosCovidGang2020. Kudos for the important message and encouragement to @LSMOH staff. The health care workers and cleaners do a tough but extremely important work, which also puts them at risk. The female ward is hereby challenged.
Guys, please, help lift my family up in prayer. I have been blessed with the most understanding and supportive family members. You know, it only becomes easy to break the silence on an issue when one’s family fully supports and damns every consequence. My family also bears the brunt. So much positivity and support radiate from this man, I am grateful for your friendship@kelechiAFC. In this period of social distancing and staying at home, cases may skyrocket. Please do know you are not alone, help is available. You can reach us @standtoEndRape via 08095967000 and other organisations in this PSA(Lagos only).
By Titilope Oshunlalu
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