Story Time: I Caught Covid!
I moved to New York in August 2021. Right after the move, I became sick. I was extremely weak and had shortness of breath. I thought it was another Crohn’s flare-up!
Stress exacerbates Crohn’s Disease. When you move several States away from your hometown, it can be very stressful. I have battled Crohn’s Disease since 1998. This episode felt very similar. I was short of breath. I could barely walk from one room to the next. I was severely dehydrated. The only difference was I was very sore and achy.
I thought I was sore from moving furniture. I asked my oldest son if he was sore and he replied no. I just assumed since I was 46 years old that moving furniture around in an apartment would be more taxing on my body. I fought the aches, severe fatigue, and absolute misery and continued moving furniture around in our apartment.
Through August 2021 I continued to work. Thankfully, I was blessed with a remote work position from my job so I did not have to leave my apartment to travel to work. I vaguely remember this “flareup” lasting longer than usual. I even upped my Humira dose to counter this so-called flareup.
My oldest son felt I had contracted Covid. The reason why was because, for several days, I could barely taste anything. I remember him giving me a Cool Ranch Dorito and I told him I could barely taste the chips. He stood there looking confused and aggravated.
Thankfully, I started to feel better a couple of months later. I finally got to go out and enjoy my birthday that October. I could walk several feet without losing my breath. But I started to notice a horrible smell. I wish I could describe this smell. It is something I have never smelled before.
I smelled it EVERYWHERE. I would open a brand new package of bread and instantly smell this very pungent odor. When I cooked, I would smell it. When I entered a bathroom, I would smell it. I just assumed it was New York. (Insert the blatant audacity)
I went out of town for my aunt’s funeral in April 2022 and smelled the same odor I was smelling in New York. I was devastated! I realized that I WAS THE PROBLEM. I instantly did what everyone does when they feel they are stricken with some unknown disease: I went to Google to research my symptoms.
I looked up symptoms of brain tumors and all sorts of terrifying diseases. The one condition that kept resurfacing was Covid. I refused to believe that's what it was due to the fact I was not smelling rotten flesh, fish, or feces. This odor was tolerable but I could not pinpoint what it smelled like.
I finally found out that I indeed had longstanding covid which caused me to have Parosmia. I spoke with my friend who also had this condition and she coined the odor, The Universal Smell, due to the fact we have no idea what to compare the smell with.
She has a beautiful Newfoundland which happens to be a very large dog. She told me her dog could have an accident, and she would not even smell it. All she smells is the Universal Smell. I finally felt heard. I felt understood. I hate that she had this same problem but I am so thankful she could help me understand it better.
Since then, I have contracted again. I am currently recovering from it now. Unfortunately, the odor has now affected my taste. Not only do I smell the pungent Universal Smell, but I also taste it in a lot of my foods. Remember the Cool Ranch Doritos? I cannot even stomach eating them. I tried to eat one a couple of weeks ago because they happen to be one of my favorite brands of tortilla chips, and I almost vomited. That was one of the nastiest things I have ever tasted.
I am now on a mission to get my smell and taste back to full capacity. I have had the vaccination but this was a wake-up call (three wake-up calls actually). Due to Crohn’s Disease, my immune system is constantly compromised. This has shown me that I need to be more careful with my surroundings regarding my health. I want to enjoy smells (good and bad) and taste delicious food. I know I can beat this!
