On March 25, my husband, Jonathan, complained about massive body pain and had a low-grade fever. After a doctor prescribed antibiotics and told him to stay home, his illness did not improve. So a few days later, we went to the Emergency Room to be tested for COVID-19.
After sitting alone on a bench outside the ER for two hours, the hospital staff gave my husband blood tests and a chest x-ray. At that time, he was not “sick enough” to be tested for COVID-19. So after another hour of waiting, the blood test results only confirmed that he did not have the flu, and the chest X-ray showed that he had mild pneumonia. As a result, he was sent home.
But other symptoms started to manifest in the next couple days: high fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. I monitored his oxygen saturation level through a pulse oximeter. For a normal healthy person, the level should be above 97%. But on April 2, his oxygen level dropped below 90%. I drove him back to the ER and had to drop him off on the curb. He was wheelchaired into the hospital because he was too weak to walk.
For the next 72 hours, God walked alongside me and allowed me to witness His goodness in our lives. He gave me three encouragements through his Word to guide me every step of the way.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
With the new “no-visitor” policy in the hospital, I had no communication with Jonathan at all except through the medical staff. He was too weak to use the phone himself. So through the hospital, I was notified that Jonathan was admitted immediately.
On that first night, I received a call from the doctor that Jonathan’s condition was considered moderate. He was given oxygen and medication and placed in an observation unit. Since I could not see him, I just had to trust all medical staff at the hospital will take care of him and make him feel comfortable. I also had to trust God that He would watch over him.
But by the next afternoon, his condition turned from moderate to severe. The doctor had to transfer him to the ICU for closer monitoring, and he was hooked up to a high-flow oxygen device that delivered 100% heated and humidified oxygen through the nasal cannula. The doctor speculated that he would need to stay in the hospital for a long time.
But I remained confident:
“I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14)
The next morning, Jonathan’s COVID-19 test came back positive. The doctor warned me that the next 24-48 hours were very critical. Many COVID patients usually started to have Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome around this time if their condition does not improve. If that happens, they would have no choice but to put him on a ventilator. So the goal was to build up enough ammunition for his immune system to fight the virus.
I managed to get him on the phone for a couple of minutes and encouraged him to fight. I told him that many brothers and sisters were praying for him and that our family will fast and pray for him.
To be honest, I had never felt so powerless, weak, and afraid. However, during my prayer and fasting, I slowly realized that there was not much I could do besides cry out to the Lord and wait.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.“ (Lamentations 3:22-23)
On Sunday morning, I received the following text from Jonathan on my phone: “Great news! The doctor said that I am the only one in the entire unit showing good signs from reading the reports. He thinks I will be the winner.” Later in the day, the doctor texted me: “Jonathan is improving. This is a miracle. I think God sent an angel to help Jonathan. He will pull through.”
I fell on my knees and wept for joy. Our God is a good God. He has mercy on us. He remains faithful to us. Jonathan got better day after day. He started to eat better, rest better, and even watched a little TV. On April 8, the seventh day, he was discharged from the hospital.
This was an amazing journey that the Lord took our family on. We know God provided Jonathan with a group of excellent and experienced medical staff who gave him the best medical treatment and care. Even though he was alone in the hospital, he said he was never lonely because God’s Spirit was with him all the time. He felt peaceful during the entire stay.
God surrounded us with a group of loving brothers and sisters, dedicated pastors, and many caring coworkers. All of them supported us in prayers fervently. I firmly believe that God heard their prayers and saved Jonathan.
As you read, God gave me three timely verses to sustain me during this difficult time as a confirmation of His love and His promises. Jonathan’s speedy recovery is a testament of God’s goodness to us, and now we are living witnesses to His love and grace.
Jonathan’s Story
It is by the grace of God that I am alive today.
I had never felt so sick in my life. I don’t clearly remember what the doctors and nurses did during the first few days in the hospital because I was feeling so terribly.
Marie asked me what my thoughts were while I was lying on the hospital bed. Honestly, it was all a blur. All I cared about was the health and safety of my loved ones. When Marie told me on the phone that many brothers and sisters were praying for me, I was in tears. I felt love.
On my hospital bed, it suddenly dawned on me that the successful accomplishments of my life did not help me in this moment. It was the love of God and the genuine caring of many brothers and sisters that sustained me. My relationship with God and others become very important to me.
Psalm 23 describes my feelings very well:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
It is so good to be home and surrounded once again by my loved ones. Every day is a blessing. It is precious. Treasure it and live it to the fullness for the Lord. Thank you for your prayers for my family and me and during this period of time. I don’t know why God has given me this unique experience, but I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me for the years to come.