“Anyone can get corona, no one is invulnerable.”
More than 10 years ago, Marlon became ill. What started with a headache, poor eyesight and a 'cough', ended in literally collapsing. After a blood test, it turned out she had Q fever. Marlon: “I was 19 years old, full of life, ging to school and undertook many activities. Because of Q fever I could only spend whole days in bed.”
Head in the sand
Her go-getter mentality and drive to be independent eventually make Marlon exhausted. The combination of years of studying and working, self-care, social contacts and housework proves to be far too heavy. An internist tells her that her complaints are all in her head, but at Q-support she finds recognition, acknowledgement and clarification. “In retrospect, I constantly wanted to perform above my ability. I preferred to bury my head further in the sand and kept working, until it was no longer possible, both physically and mentally.”
Balance
Marlon reports sick and becomes isolated. “I had many crying fits and felt myself sinking. Until I thought: how can and do I want to continue? I sought psychological help and went through a difficult but enlightening process, in which I learned to listen to myself more and to put myself first. I built up my work again and learned to pace my social activities. In addition, I met a new love with whom I started living together. I had finally found the balance!”
Corona
“I have been following the corona news closely since the outbreak in China. Out of fear of the virus, partly due to my low resistance and sensitive lungs due to QVS (Q fever fatigue syndrome), I immediately went into home isolation when corona broke out in the Netherlands. However, in March of this year I started having problems with my lungs and lost my sense of smell and taste. When I then had a fever attack and could no longer stand on my legs, the GP said: “You must have corona.”
Fear
Marlon turns out to have the beginnings of pneumonia and has to cure it with a course of antibiotics. “There was a moment when I was lying in bed gasping for breath, feeling like a fish out of water, I was so short of breath. The heart rhythm disturbances made me feel like I was dying, but because the hospitals were too busy I could call back when my fingers and toes turned blue. I was sick in bed for weeks, while at the same time this experience made me afraid of this same bed. I didn’t dare sleep anymore because I wanted to keep checking my breathing and I became completely exhausted. It may be that I made myself crazier than necessary, but at that moment I couldn’t find any reassurance anywhere.”
Build up
Because of her fear, Marlon decides to stop following the news and to stop looking up information about COVID-19 on the internet. “On the advice of my GP, I started walking. Then I slowly built up my activities and did small household chores, such as putting away the dishwasher. I now have less shortness of breath and more energy. I still get tired more quickly and experience chest pain, for which I am being treated by a lung specialist and cardiologist. I stick to a strict structure and now, after more than 6 months, I am back to approximately the energy level I had before the corona infection.”
Isolation
“Unfortunately, I have developed PTSD due to Corona; I am afraid to participate in society, I am afraid of people who do not adhere to the corona measures. In fact, I only feel safe in my own home. I have sought professional help for this. Even though both Q fever and corona are happening behind closed doors and no one sees how things really are, my family, friends and employer fortunately understand my situation and choices. I keep in touch with them via an app.”
Choice
Marlon had found her way to live with QVS, but got COVID-19 on top of it. “I went through a very dark period, but in the end it all made me happy. I focus on the good moments and enjoy them intensely. I feel in the morning whether it will be a good or a bad day and in the latter case I can cancel things, I have a choice in this. This gives me space and I accept the situation better. This helps enormously.”
Stick to the rules
Finally, Marlon would like to share something important: “I notice that more and more people are getting 'corona-tired'. I would like to say to everyone: Young people can also be vulnerable, you can see that in me. No one is invulnerable, so be patient, persevere and stick to the measures! Prevent infection for yourself, but also for others. Actually, this message is my biggest reason for doing this interview, because what happened to me I would not wish on anyone.”
