Memories of Our Battle Against COVID-19

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I didn’t attach much importance to it.

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I never imagined I would get COVID-19.

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I was healthy. No high blood pressure or any other underlying conditions.

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Kwon Jun-wook (Central Disease Control Headquarters): It’s too early to hope for a COVID-19 vaccine. The only way to contain the spread of this virus is by practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and following personal hygiene rules.

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I was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep without painkillers.

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I was told the only thing they could do is just extend his life and that his lungs were melting and he was on the verge of death. I pleaded them to save his life.

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Busan added 16 new cases yesterday due to cluster infections. Twenty-two of them are said to be linked to Oncheon Church.

Oncheon Church, the source of the first cluster outbreak of COVID-19 in Busan. We met with people who contracted the novel coronavirus through the church.

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Hello. I am 34-year-old Kim Chang-yeon from Busan. I have recovered from COVID-19.

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Hello. I’m Kim Ji-seon. I have recovered from COVID-19.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): I got a phone call telling me I had COVID-19 on February 23.

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Kim Ji-seon (31, Recovered from COVID-19): I was told I had the coronavirus on February 24.

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I’m worried about the Chuseok holiday. I don’t want to fall ill again. People don’t know yet.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): I had headaches, body aches, and a sore throat. I was sick all over. I also had a cough, runny nose and phlegm.

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Kim Ji-seon (31, Recovered from COVID-19): I had no symptoms whatsoever.

These two people contracted the same virus, but their symptoms were completely different.

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Choi Won-seok (Professor, Korea University Ansan Hospital): When a person becomes infected and their viral load is heavy, it can be a problem. The patient’s health condition and genetic factor are also believed to play a role. Research into this is currently underway. In severe cases, COVID-19 can result in death. But what’s unusual is that many infected people are asymptomatic.

And this person who became infected with COVID-19 from Oncheon Church, had severe symptoms.

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I am Chung Moon-seok. I was a critically ill COVID-19 patient, but I have since recovered.

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I am his wife, Kim Haeng-ja.

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Kim Haeng-ja (67, Recovered COVID-19 patient’s wife): As he was getting ready to be hospitalized, he packed his backpack and said he would just take a rest at the hospital.

He entered the hospital without much concern, thinking he could get better soon.
But his condition quickly began to worsen.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): I was hospitalized at Busan Medical Center. I was okay on the first day, but the following day I had a fever and my symptoms got worse. All the doctors could do back then was to just monitor my symptoms. In the afternoon I was transferred to a negative pressure room at Pusan National University Hospital. I was put on a ventilator and became critically ill that evening. I don’t know what happened next. I became unconscious.

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Kim Haeng-ja (67, Recovered COVID-19 patient’s wife): I got a call from the hospital saying his lungs were melting and the only thing they could do was just extend his life. I was devastated. I said he only had a cough. I was under self-quarantine at the time. The local district office told me only one guardian was allowed to go to the funeral after putting on a protective suit. It was unbelievable. It still makes me cry. It’s the same as when your opponent in boxing hits you without gloves and you’re not wearing a mouthpiece. I pleaded them to save his life.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): I was first administered Kaletra, a drug for treating AIDS. I heard other patients took an anti-malarial drug. I wanted to take any drug that would kill my pain.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): I don’t remember what kind of treatment I was given as I was under anaesthetic. When I woke up, there were needles in my arms, and my hands and feet were tied up. I was unconscious for three or four days. After four days I slowly regained my consciousness.

Chung Moon-seok has managed to survive what could have been a fatal outcome. The first people he saw after regaining consciousness were medical workers in thick hazmat suits.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): Their suits didn't look like regular gowns worn by nurses. They were wearing protective suits with multiple layers, plus goggles. I couldn’t see their eyes because of the steam in the goggles. They had double-layered gloves, which made it even harder for them to find my veins. They had to insert the needle several times, which annoyed me. They apologized and explained that it was because of the thick gloves. I felt very grateful to all the medical workers.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): I was impressed each day. They encouraged me even though they themselves were also struggling. Had it not been for the medical workers, my condition would have deteriorated further. To be honest, I don’t even know their faces. I want to thank them for their hard work.

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Kim Ji-seon (31, Recovered from COVID-19): I was discharged after ten or eleven days. You’re only allowed to go home.

Chung Moon-seok was finally discharged from hospital after 25 days. He and his wife now live each day with nothing but gratitude.

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Kim Haeng-ja (67, Recovered COVID-19 patient’s wife): I feel great. I never imagined we would be able to live like this again. It’s great to be able to take walks together again. I am very grateful.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): I can walk here because it’s flat, but I can’t do any excessive exercise. I can take walks without a problem.

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Kim Haeng-ja (67, Recovered COVID-19 patient’s wife): My husband was always healthy. No high blood pressure or any other underlying conditions. We had never been hospitalized before.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): It’s hard for me to walk uphill as my heart has recovered only 60 percent.

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Even after recovery, side effects can be quite serious. That’s why taking precaution is so important.

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Choi Won-seok (Professor, Korea University Ansan Hospital): The heart can be affected as well. Patients who had severe stress and needed ECMO due to low oxygen supply can develop heart failure, because stress undermines the heart function. They can also develop myocarditis because of the virus.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): Young people underestimate COVID-19 as a kind of flu. But many of the COVID-19 patients lately are young. You should not underestimate it and be careful because it’s not as simple as you think.

Kim Chang-yeon and Kim Ji-seon, who have also recovered from COVID-19, got married in June. The couple makes sure to take extra care when going outside.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): When there is someone else in the elevator, we let them go first. We often take the stairs, especially when it’s crowded.

After overcoming a deadly virus, the pair find happiness even in the smallest of things.

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I feel blessed when I recall those days in the hospital.

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It was stifling back then.

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I missed clean air and fresh breeze.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): Sidewalks are narrow and crowded. We take detours even if it takes longer. We’re worried we may contract COVID-19 again or infect others. We’re still scared because not much is known about the virus. I want to help those who are fighting COVID-19 now. Plasma treatment is one of the earliest treatments under development. As someone who has had this virus, I know how scary it is. I didn't hesitate to donate blood plasma, because I hope it will help find a cure.

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Jung Eun-Kyeong (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency): Blood plasma donated by recovered patients serves as a source of antibodies for developing plasma treatment.

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Kim Chang-yeon (34, Recovered from COVID-19): COVID-19 is still an unknown disease that has yet to be conquered. It’s a scary disease that can infect many people. If all of us follow the government’s guidelines, wear masks and wash our hands, we can beat this virus together.

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Kim Ji-seon (31, Recovered from COVID-19): I want to say thank you to medical workers. Because of them I got a new lease on life and my life is back to normal. I also have a new family. All I can say is thank you.

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Chung Moon-seok (70, Recovered from COVID-19): As someone who faced death because of COVID-19, I want to say that this virus must not be underestimated.

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Kim Haeng-ja (67, Recovered COVID-19 patient’s wife): Medical workers are having a hard time. They are exhausted. I hope everyone follows the government’s guidelines so we can beat COVID-19 soon. I want to cheer on all the medical workers.

COVID-19 has infected nearly 31 million people across the world since it first appeared in China last December. Almost one million patients have died. Humanity is fighting a war against this virus. With vaccines and treatments yet to be developed, stories shared by those who have recovered teach a valuable lesson to follow personal hygiene rules and prevention guidelines the only weapon in the world’s fight against COVID-19.