Cathy
2 years since diagnosis
Age at interview: 61
Cathy has been living with long-COVID for almost two years and has been experiencing joint pain, tinnitus, dizziness, brain fog, trouble breathing, inability to exert herself physically or emotionally and hypersensitivity to stimuli like movement, loud noises and sunlight. Cathy struggles with her new normal as she described herself as someone who was very outgoing, social and active which is a much very different description of who she is today. Cathy is now more introverted and spends the majority of time at home because she will be unable to function for a period of time if she exerts herself too much. Living with long-COVID has been a lonely experience, but joining an online Facebook support group has been life saving for Cathy. She also has a good network of family and friends and health care professionals who believe in her condition. However, Cathy does wish that doctors were better informed about long-COVID so that they could better support their patients. Living with long-COVID is not easy, but Cathy has learned to give herself grace as she figures out how to manage symptoms and has found that pacing is key to ensure her health does not spiral. Her suggestion to others is to avoid getting COVID as much as possible because she does not want anyone else to have an experience like hers.
More content
- Getting Care for Long COVID – CathyCathy was under pressure to go back to work full time. A long COVID clinic signed her off work completely.
- Symptoms of Long COVID – CathyCathy says her symptoms "control her life."
- Additional Supports Needed for People Living with Long COVID – CathyCathy receives psychological support through workers' compensation but the support is limited and she has to fight to keep going.
- Support From Employers, Colleagues, and Worker’s Compensation Boards – CathyCathy was given the wrong information about making a claim by her employer and, initially, inappropriately limited support from WCB.
- Support From Employers, Colleagues, and Worker’s Compensation Boards – CathyCathy's boss was angry when she couldn't cope with her job full time.
- Additional Expenses – CathyCathy says she is paying out of pocket for what long COVID has done to her.
- Advice to Healthcare Providers – CathyCathy's doctor was open to her suggestions.
- Impacts on Friendships – CathyCathy notices that, after a while, people just forget about you.
- Psychosocial Impacts – CathyCathy says she has become a hermit.
- Impacts on Self and Daily Life – CathyCathy feels she has had to dumb down her personality.