From Barbell PRs to Oxygen Tanks: A Body Brought to Its Knees
How a lifetime of training met the fight no workout prepares you for.
In December 2021, I was strong and healthy by every definition I knew, and then in the span of seven days, that definition quite literally collapsed.
This is the story of how a body built for performance was brought to its knees, and how the rebuilding began.
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“From peak of health and fitness to near death in 7 days. Here's my COVID story.
I got COVID on Dec 1st. It was manageable from home and even started improving after a few days.
But, on the 6th, I started having shortness of breath. A good friend with a medical background checked me out. My lungs still sounded good so he left me his pulse oximeter with the following instructions, "If you drop and stay below 90%, call 911."
The morning of Dec 7th, as I got out of bed, I collapsed on the ground unable to breathe. I grabbed the pulse ox and made sure my finger was warm. 75%. "No, that can't be right!" Still 75% and holding strong. I immediately called 911.
Unable to move, they had to find a way in. Mango was barking and I knew I had to put her up. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to crawl to my bathroom door and get Mango in the bathroom. I closed the door and collapsed in my hallway.
Moments later the paramedics were able to enter my apartment and get me on oxygen. They loaded me up and took me to the ER.
X-rays and a CT scan later, it's determined I have double COVID pneumonia. I needed to be admitted for treatment, so they transported me to Obici Hospital.
I don't recall much about the first week at Obici. I have flashes of memories that just feel like nightmares.
Week 2 and another CT scan revealed a small pulmonary embolism in my right lung.
Toward the end of week 2, I began to have terrifying breathing episodes. My sp02 would drop to 80% and my heart rate would elevate over 150 bpm. They'd struggle to get my 02 up even with max oxygen output.
In week 3, we did an echo to check my heart. It looked good despite it being constantly elevated.
All my muscles atrophied and I hadn't stood or walked in 3 weeks. The addition of one medication allowed me to finally stand safely! Two days later, using my walker, I walked across my room safely!
Finally, on Dec 30th, my doc said I could go home. That's 24 days total in the hospital. I never in a million years thought I'd be that person to react to COVID like this. It may have taken my body, but it won't have my life!
It's great to be home and reunited with Mango, but I still can't do very much and require 24/7 care.
I’m on home oxygen that I'll be on for a while and a multitude of meds. My road to recovery will be long and challenging, but I'm so excited to begin this next phase!
Prior to December, goals for 2022 revolved around barbell PRs and hopes of Rx'ing the CrossFit Open workouts.
Now, my goals are to walk without a walker, get off oxygen and meds, and be able to move and strengthen my body again.
"At times, the Universe may ask you to rebuild. Not because you're "broken" or heading down the wrong path, but because the divine believes that you still have infinite space for growth, guidance, and enlightenment. Your work's not done."
I'm thankful for CrossFit and yoga for making me so strong in body and mind for the fight of my life, and I'm excited about this opportunity to rebuild. I will come back better, faster, and stronger than before!”
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This is a social media post I wrote the day after-ish I was released from the hospital on January 1st, 2022. Next, I want to share another social media post I wrote exactly one year later.
Grateful, thankful, and blessed to be alive.
Stand tall,
Tracey
