Lori
2 years since diagnosis
Age at interview: 53
Lori has been experiencing symptoms since she got COVID in November 2020. Her initial infection was severe with a diagnosis of COVID pneumonia that left her very sick for weeks and needing the use of oxygen. As time went on symptoms, such as cough, trouble breathing, and brain fog amongst others, have persisted as frequent flares. Due to the long-COVID, Lori is unable to work full time and limited in doing daily tasks or activities that she enjoys (e.g., hiking, running, socializing). Because she was infected with COVID in the workplace, she was able to get supports to work from home and access to different specialists. Some of these resources have been helpful in managing symptoms, but nothing has stopped the frequent flare up of symptoms. Despite her situation, Lori continues to stay positive and holds on to hope that she will get better in time. She has learned to lean into her feelings but also to move forward with her thoughts so that she does not get stuck in a dark place. Her hope for others is that doctors will take this illness seriously and think outside of the box to help their patients cope with long-COVID.