Well, I guess the word is out. Yes…Patrick and I both have Covid 19. We both felt that we had had it, mildly a month or more ago. Always a bit of a cough, and I always was a little short on breath though Patrick always guessed it was because I was not exercising enough. South Africa has one of the toughest lockdowns in the world Or so it’s said. Neither of us ever had a fever or any aches or pains. We had no idea how we got it…we were always careful, but I guess not careful enough. We felt we had gotten off easy. But neither of us have any co-morbities…and we aren’t that old…so no problem right?
Video that Patrick will Kill me for allowing
WRONG. On Tuesday last week, Patrick spiked a Very high temperature rather suddenly…Nearly 103F. Google says a fast sudden fever…it’s the influenza…among other symptoms that appear to be flu, not Covid. Like most places in the world, you don’t go to the hospital til you have trouble breathing. You stay home, you self quarantine for 14 days, you hope you get better, not worse. Unlike in the USA, it’s not a moral obligation to get tested here, you are discouraged to get tested unless you have been in contact with a confirmed case, you have travelled to certain counties in the last 14 days, AND you are having trouble breathing. Still we didn’t rule out coronavirus. Every day and every evening and more, I took his temperature, gave him more Tylenol, kept him hydrated, and keep asking about his chest and breathing. Yes, he was coughing…we we’re nervous…Thursday he said that he had had much worse flus in his life, we just needed to wait and it would get better…he was greatful it wasn’t entering his sinuses. Friday morning, the usual questions. He tried hard to tell me he could breathe. But it was apparent to me then that he was just trying to prevent me from worrying. He promised to go in tomorrow if it was the same. I put my foot down, and said no…we are going in. So we took a taxi in to the nearest hospital, an expensive private hospital that took $800 off of us within hours. They tested both of us, his blood pressure that is SOO low regularly was 210…even mine was 140…so much higher than normal. They put Patrick on oxygen immediately…he was down to 83%…90% is as low as doctors want to see anyone. The doctor said that if we had even waited a few more hours, he likely would have stopped breathing all together. With curfew here and everything I’m not even sure how we would have gotten there…an ambulance I suppose. They loaded Patrick in to an ambulance to a hospital that has an ICU bed, and nether of us knew just how bad the next few days were to be.
I was Immediately put in to quarantine on the boat. My symptoms …who knows…did they get worse due to stress, to the virus itself, the care I didn’t take of myself…I’m not sure. I got a call that night that we had both tested positive for coronavirus. The marina/Yacht Club immediately went in to action deciding if they could accommodate me to quarantine on the boat. The health department was scheduled for a visit on Monday. I suffered huge anxiety all weekend between arranging food to be dropped off at the hospital door for Patrick, to worrying about his care there, to should I evacuate him out to the US, to who is gonna take care of the cat and the boat if they take me off the boat and take me to a state quarantine facility, and the list just went on and on. The doctor called Sunday morning and begged me to bring food for him. I explained I was quarantined but that someone would be there with food. My South African friends Bob and Caroline Braught Patrick a cell phone and a charger, and some food. Things went from bad to worse as Patrick went from an oxygen mask to a pressure C-pap type machine to 60% air to 100%…and my Monday they intubated him. His oxygen level were just not maintaining..it was a bad rush to get him oxygen. The Health department never came to evaluate my situation and I was allowed to stay. Special thanks ecspecially to Paul at the marina for going to bat to explain to concerned members And authorities of how this was the best place for me to stay for quarantine. When he went on the ventilator I realized I better get myself something to eat. But I didn’t.
Then even on the ventilator, he wasn’t getting oxygen absorbed in to his blood stream. They eventually found That his aveolis sacs had bursted in a number of places so they put drains in, and then finally he had good oxygen level. The inflammation in his lungs went down slowly, and the ventilator was able to be turned down from 80% to 60% and to 50% yesterday. They felt his lungs and the coronavirus was subsiding on the assault on his lungs.
But his kidneys which need a normal level of 3-5 creatine, and where people end up hospitalized at about a level of 16…his creatine was 200, then 300, and now 8-9 days later is 646. An increase of about 100 per day is considered to be total failure. His kidneys are doing nothing. Kidneys are said to be very resilient so there is a chance they can regenerate and heal.
There is a different doctor every day in the ICU. Some doctors have no bedside manners and send me rushing for kleenex and support via Skype to Patricks sister Kathy, to my mother, Or father…sometimes it was friends on Messenger or WhatsApp. Whoever would listen, it helped me to type or talk, day or night.
In the first 4 days I think I ate nothing at all, just juice. After a while I finally Beggea local South African cruiser who has been a listening ear, to please bring me something to eat. I had so much food in the fridge but just no energy at all to even cook an egg. Three boats…two South African couples…and One Brazilian boat, have now taken turns bringing me so many hearty healthy meals, smoothies, snacks, fruits and veggies…it’s to these 3 boats that I owe my strengthening to. People went shopping for me, and they helped tie my lines in preparation for a storm that is beginning tonight. They took my trash away (carefully), and they helped me fill my water tank. Without the support from new friends here, I’m not sure how I would even still be here to fight this fight. From Unidentified soup With leaves and twigs in it, to hamburgers And sandwiches, to Brazilian curry…ive recognized little of what they have brought me, but have Literally survived on these things. The first meal…was chicken and stewed vegetables…I remember feeling like a starving Ethiopian eating it, with grease and food spilling all over the front of me as I ate it without utensils. I knew I was hungry. I had no idea just how!
So here on Day 9, Patrick remains on the ventilator….in very very poor condition. Sometimes I get kind doctors who try to not make it sound hopeless, and other days I get doctors I want to punch out for even insinuating that 69 is old.
The US Embassy is involved…and actually got me an Oximeter so I could be sure I wasn’t dropping in oxygen like Patrick was. Usually I’d have him to watch over me…so as badly as I needed to stay on the boat, I was nervous about what I would do if my breathing took a turn. The embassy has helped in countless small Whats including giving me 24/7 access to a doctor who runs the CDC here in Africa….to run my questions by, and for her to evaluate Patricks and my progress both. They also arranged for a nurse to use her own cell phone and put it to a Patricks ear so I could tell him to keep fighting, etc. I hope he heard me…she was going on leave so it won’t be possible to ask her to do it again.
After a lot of frustration getting our insurance company to call back, they announced they would not be providing any coverage for this emergency. “We aren’t covering Covid19 or any pandemics. It’s not in our contract…but in the fine print…they can change the terms at any time with 90 days notice. We did it receive any notice that I recall, at all. Maybe a lawyer could straighten it out. I don’t know. A fight for a future day when one or both of us is feeling a heck of a lot stronger.
Every day I wait for a tidbit of information…something to wrap my hope around. Ever day I wait for a peak, instead of valley after lower valley. It never seems to happen. I research on google all day to try to understand. I chat with friends online about it all with different advice and wisdom. Finally the day ends and I can go to bed and hope a few hours and a new day will make a difference. I struggle to eat, and keep the boat up, prepare for winds and rains, and keep the cat from falling overboard (one emergency so far) My cat cuddles with me…knows something is terribly wrong…and wonders where his dad is. Good news never seems to come. I struggle to imagine Patrick returning to me. I know how bad the chances are…I know the stats better than anyone. I struggle to not cry all day and night. I sit here doing breathing exercises both to exercise my lungs and keep myself alive, and to calm my nerves. I try to dance to some loud joyful music, but no matter how happy it is, I dance and I cry. I use my oximeter to make sure I’m not killing myself. The hours and the days pass and I just try to be patient and optimistic in a situation that I am so keenly aware is so precarious.
Patrick and I have been a team for so long, I am really struggling to function without him. To not be able to go to the extremely locked down hospital and hold his hand, or meet his doctors, or speak in to his ear has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’m trying not even to think about the finances or what are future may or may not look like…and if our sailing life is over.
My friend Leanne set up a gofundme page for The support of Patrick…for the medical bills I’m sure I can’t begin to imagine now while in the hospital without the damn insurance company, and for what comes after. I’m pretty sure he won’t be able to jump on the boat and sail away any time soon. I made a very quick video on my iPad and sent it to her in a Messenger, and somehow she has managed to capture it, and wrote a beautiful summary of the situation here..much better edited and summarized than the mess you just read above:
Video that Patrick will KILL me for
If ever you have wanted to support more videos, this would be the time. We need to bring Patrick home…he has so many more videos he wants to do. He has so much freaking life to live with me!!!
Preparations..6 weeks Prior to Getting Married…and Moving On to Brick House
Hey Rebecca… just read the ‘Covid-19 Onboard’ post …. I am so, so sorry you guys are going through this… i’m struggling to get my head around it… what you are going through, what Patrick is going through…. it sounds incredibly tough… as i write this i am thinking about the fortitude you have displayed throughout the ordeal… you are a very strong woman. When this over for you guys (and it will be over at some point!) Patrick is going to need you as you need him: look after yourself!!!! Stay hydrated, eat, sleep… it is so positive to hear that you have people who are helping you… that is excellent!
I realise that my writing to you doesn’t fix anything… I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. If you want you can contact us via Skype or Face-Time… we are happy to talk with you and keep you company if you want. Face-Time: +64 27 227 8884 Skype: devon60
Stay strong Rebecca!!!
All the best, Devon & Sunny, sv 2nd Chance, 1976 Valiant 40 , New Zealand
You and Patrick are in n our prayers. May the Lord be with you both.
Garry and Carol Domnisse
Hi Rebecca.Our thoughts are with you and Patrick at this worrying news. If you need any help with anything please let us know. We are in Cape Town and will assist as best we can.
Morne
Rebecca,
I am so sorry to hear this latest news regarding your situation.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Patrick.
We can’t lose that guy yet. He is such a stud and just a great human being in every way.
Meeting and working with him in Kwajalian was one of the highlights in my life.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my time out there and the friends that I met and Patrick and Jojn Hammond were #1.
Please let me know if I can help you in any way. I can send money if you need it just tell me how to safely get it to ypu?
Is there a link for your go fund me page?
You can call me if you need to talk to someone anytime. I feel so bad that you are alone during this crisis!
707 396-2360
Please keep me posted, I am sending all my positive energy towards your recovery.
Patrick will beat this!
All my thoughts and prayers,
Steve Benjamin
Thanks Steve. Those were some good times. This is definitely an all time low. I will be fine…mine is slowly slowly clearing up…I never got very bad at all..just a cough, short on energy and breath, but nothing compared to what Patrick is battling with right now. We have a page…link below…but more than any of that, we need a Miracle Man! We need Patrick to come back.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/childress-covid-care?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
Yes. All the effort my good friends Leanne and Matt put in to this…I put it here on the blog too…word is already out anyways. I’m quarantined onboard til Friday and then I get to join in on regular lockdown. I’m in decent shape…will just take some time to build the deteriorated lungs up to capacity again..
the main thing I need right now is for Patrick, the doctors, God, the universe to align, and create a miracle and keep Patrick in the world somehow.
Thank you very much. I don’t know what I need right now. Just a miracle I suppose. People being amazing on the Fundraiser page my friends Leanne and Matt created…takes some of the financial worries out of things.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/childress-covid-care?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
Thanks Garry. Yeah we need to Lord for sure…we need a miracle.
Thanks guys. I’ve never had less control of anything in my life. It’s like someone is taking him and I’m not even allowed to fight back. Definitely the worst thing that has ever happened in my life.
The only think I really have control of is my own health and handling of this. He indeed needs me to be strong for when he returns. So I’m letting people help me from every direction…cooking me meals, sending money…trying to eliminate the worries that I have some control over. I wanted to hide this for a long time, and not bring any attention…but I needed to get my hands around something…Control something that was going on with this. So I am now doing some of those things to do something. Maybe not all that what Patrick would have wanted me to do…but what I need for me…to keep my sanity, rebuild my health, and get things ready for however Patrick returns to me.
Patrick is going to get through this Rebecca. He is a tough old salty dog and they are very hard to kill, LOL, you can tell him I said that!
You did the right thing reaching out for support from your friends.
Now we are all onboard with you and will do whatever it takes to get you both through this.
The process has begun and the worst is over.
Our thoughts and prayers will provide an added boost to the healing process.
I have sent some funds and will send more if needed. The fund me page looks great and your first goal is almost reached.
I hope this gives you some small feeling of releif.
We got your back and I hope that gives you a great sense of releif!!
I will be in regular contact now and you can reach out anytime for any reason.
I love you both!!!
Your friend Steve
Come on, Patrick! You survived being dismasted by the US Navy, losing Slippery Turtle in mere minutes. You fought back and WON your case against the US Navy for damages. And taught others how to win their cases.
WIN your case, Patrick! We need you to teach us how to do it for ourselves. We know you can do it!
Rebecca, we have not met you, but know you have to be a beauty for Patrick to keep you around. We met Patrick in Seattle over 3 decades ago, and have kept only a light tie on your travels. We recently sold our boat after living on her for 30 years. We didn’t have your travels but have fond memories of our travels in the Pacific Northwest.
We will keep both of you in our thoughts. Keep strong! Take care of your Self. Know you are loved.
Sam & Dave Krause
Hi
Very sad to hear of your predicament. Could you perhaps let us know which hospital Patrick is in?
Rebecca,
Stay strong
Do what you can do, look after yourself right now.
We will pray.
Edward Finn..
Dearest Rebecca…Both Schyler and I have you in our thoughts everyday and check on Patrick’s status via your posts. This latest one sounds promising. 🙂 We cannot even imagine what you must going through, but only hope you will get on the brighter side of this and have Patrick home soon. He is strong and full of life, and that will get him through this and back to you. Don’t forget, you are just as strong and amazing. We love watching your videos and look forward to many more when all is right in the world for you both. Sincerely, Laure & Schyler of S/V Ocean Cowboy. xoxox
Dear Rebecca
My partner, Bernice and I are following your situation and we are really sorry to hear about your struggle. I’ve been a keen viewer of your videos as you were coming down to Hout Bay and was shocked to see on Facebook that Patrick was admitted into hospital. Bernice and I have read everything we can and I phoned Hout Bay Yacht Club this morning to see if there is anything we can do to assist you. He informed me that Patrick was admitted into Grootte Schuur Hospital.
Both Bernice and I work for the South African Organ Donor Foundation and I have started asking our doctor friends at Groote Schuur about any news of Patrick and as soon as I get any information I will immediately relay it back to you.
Rebecca, please let us know if there is anything you need. Food, meds or anything you may need. We will try our best to help you in any way we can. We live in Cape Town.
Please do not hesitate if you need anything.
Wishing you strength and positivity. You are not alone.
My cell number is 076 897 2021
Kind regards
Jooste and Bernice
Thank you guys…we are actually now at the RCYC in Cape Town. A blessing….this yacht club just could not be more supportive.Hout Bay would have been the same I’m sure. Maybe you can help me donate my kidney if Patrick needs one 😉 Thanks…
Thanks you guys…I can’t wait to be making another video with Patrick. The support has been amazing!!! And thanks for your vote on my strength. I’m doing my best. About half the days I feel like I’m not stronger than a toothpick. But with the little bit of good news, I’m feeling stronger today. Bad news will send me in a dark pool. I hope it’s all up from here.
Thanks Edward. Thanks so much for your prayers!
Groote Schuur in Cape Town. Thanks for your concern. He’s lucky to be in one of the best hospitals In The country and I am very convinced that they are taking the best possible care of him.
Thanks Edward for your prayers!!!!
Haha…you have made me laugh…maybe not a beauty…but I love him to pieces and he knows that…so that’s probably why he keeps me around 😉
I agree…he MUST win this case…he MUST keep this boat afloat…and he MUST sail away with me again!!!
Steve…that was so generous of you, and your words means so much too. Yeah..he is a man with incredible luck (and skill), and I’m a woman with incredible luck to have sooooo much support both financially and emotionally through this ordeal. I cry a lot for Patrick every day and the beating that his body is taking right now from this damn thing…but I cry a lot every day too with all the support and love that people are showering me with. I can’t tell you how all of that has helped me get this far with this. There were days in the beginning that I’d dint even care if I died in my bed it felt so hopeless. I am filled with hope tonight.
Hi Rebecca! So happy to hear you’re feeling hopeful!! You’re a rock and you both are in our prayers!
Dear Rebecca
We thought that you were still in Hout Bay, so we did not immediately think that it was you who had fallen ill with Covid-19 when the Royal Cape Yacht Club informed us about a sailing couple who had contracted the virus. However, when your usual video posting did not occur as expected, we started inquiring about your well-being and only today discovered that you are the unfortunate sailing couple at our club.
You have given us much pleasure for many moons with your beautiful and informative videos – thank you for that! We are looking forward to many more of your lovely videos, so may you both be better soon and may Patrick recover fully from his current serious condition.
We are unfortunately not allowed to visit the RCYC at this stage, but I am sure the staff at the club and live-aboards in the marina are looking out for you. However, please don’t hesitate to call us if there is something we could do to assist you. We live in Cape Town and are members of the RCYC.
My cell phone number is 072 227 1184.
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Kind regards
Fanie & Elchrisna
I don’t know what I can’t approve your comment. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Thank you so much. Yes, it’s us. I am recovered though the longer term healing is still happening. Lungs are a mess…I get out of breath on such short walks now…but I’m pushing for a few more minutes each day…someday maybe I can increase the gradient from flat.
It’s really hard to have such little contact with the hospitals. Once a day for 5 minutes if I get lucky. Haven’t really had much contact the last 2 days. So hard to not have any control, influence, or decision making in any of it..I just wait to see what they spit out at the end of it all.
I’m sure Patrick has the hardest part though.
Anyways..thanks for reaching out. Really hard times right now. I will call if I think of anything. For now just pray for him please. The more people focusing on him…I think the better it is.
Hi Rebecca
We are delighted with today’s update! It is great news that Patrick’s health is taking steps in the right direction, even if they are baby steps. You both are in our thoughts all the time!
Thanks so much. Yes…I think this is going in the right direction, even if there are multiple snags.
Oh Rebecca,
I am so deeply saddened by this news that my friend has lost his battle and has passed.
I don’t know what to think right now.
I feel just terrible for you, I really believed that Patrick was going to make it. All the reports were so encouraging of late.
I guess heaven needed him more then we did, which sucks for us!
I’m so glad that you had a chance to say goodbye and how touching and fitting that you had that last look and tear.
He heard you and knew you were there.
I recently lost my step brother Jimmy. He was in the hospital for intestinal surgery and had complications that eventually led to sepsis. He was in ICU for over a week. They tried to save him but he just couldn’t hang on.
I was with him when he took his last breath and that was the first time in my life that I watched a person die.
I held his hand and told him to let go and that it was ok and he did. He took one last deep breath and that was it, he was gone.
I will never forget that as long as I live.
Please take care of yourself. We are all still with you!!
I will do whatever I can to help you. Just say the words.
Please let me know if you are planning a Memorial service and how I can be of assistance.
You are welcome to come visit us anytime for as long as you want if you ever get out to Northern California.
We have lots of room and lots of animals to love on.
My thoughts and prayers are with you along with a hell of a lot of other people.
We love you!!!
Steve
Thank you. I will at some point have a service of some kind. But I don’t know what or when yet.
No worries, you have plenty of time to figure it all out.
Please take care of yourself, Patrick would definitely agree.
Reach out anytime for any reason.
If and when you decide on any service I will be there if I can, come hell or high water.
Time is what is needed now. Time to ease our heart hurt.
I will always cherish the time I had with him, only 3 months but it feels like a lifetime of friendship. He was that kind of soul. Salt of the earth, humble, honest, willing to sacrifice for others, hard working and funny.
I never got the chance to see him again but always wanted to.
I will miss him greatly!
Steve
Dear Rebecca
We are deeply saddened by the news of Patrick’s passing. We were hoping and praying with you that he would recover, but it was sadly not to be.
There is nothing that we can say to you to make things better right now. However, we feel a deep sense of loss since we have silently been following your progress for a long time and since this last voyage ended at the RCYC in Cape Town.
May you find the strength to work through this terrible time. You are and will be in our thoughts in future.
Please remember our previous offer to phone us should there be something we can assist you with.
We would so much have liked to be able to give you a hug today.
Kind regards
Fanie & Elchrisna
Hi there, after reading this awesome paragraph i am also glad to share my know-how here with friends.