My First And Hopefully Last COVID Test

Posted byFractured Faith BlogPosted inA Fractured FaithTags:, , , , , , , , ,

So, yesterday I went for a COVID test. There have been a number of positive cases in my office which, consequently, has now been closed for an indefinite period. I wasn’t identified as a close contact but had developed a slight cough and sore throat. Normally I would think nothing of this but we live in a strange new world now. An online test was booked and I drove to the mobile testing unit, 15 miles away in the car park of a local leisure centre.

Upon arriving I noticed a steady flow of cars entering and exiting the site. I was waved through to a lane where I was told to lower my drivers window a couple of inches so a staff member could instruct me as to how the test would proceed. I was then given a self testing kit and asked to park up in a separate area. When I’d completed the test I was to switch on my hazard lights and another staff member would tell me what to do next.

The test itself was simple but unpleasant. It involves inserting a swab, similar to an elongated cotton bud, down my throat, and holding it against both sides of my tonsils for ten seconds apiece. This caused me to gag and my eyes began to water. I then had to repeat the procedure up both nostrils. The swab was then placed in a vial and secured in an ziplock bag which was then placed into another airtight bag and sealed. As you can see by the photo, I was not a happy camper.

Results take 24-48 hours and I’m currently self isolating in our bedroom while poor Fionnuala sleeps on the sofa. None of us are allowed outside at present. Oddly, I’ve felt much better since the test and am hoping and praying it comes back negative as soon as possible. There’s a little kernel of doubt, however, that I push to the back of my mind whenever it threatens to raise its ugly head. I’ve been reading, blogging & writing to pass time but do feel a burden on my family.

All comments will be much appreciated to help me pass the time and I’ll let you know the outcome when I receive it by text or e-mail. It’s a pain but can I ask you all to get a test if you develop COVID type symptoms, no matter how mild. Your actions will protect others and could ultimately save lives. It won’t be the most enjoyable experience of your life but it won’t kill you either. COVID can and will if given half a chance.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

58 thoughts on “My First And Hopefully Last COVID Test”

  3. Selftesting? That is kinda awesome tho!
    Beats having an overworked and desinterested health care professional jam that thing up to your brains 😳🤐

    Hope you get a negative back and feel better soon!

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  9. Wishing you and your family the best, Stephen. Now, that ‘herd immunity’ (another way of saying survival of the fittest’) is our official government strategy, I am not at all comforted.

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  12. Stephen I to have had the test, mine was a little different. They did the two swabs up the nose for the Covid Test. The two swabs they did in my throat was for Strep and the Flu.

    You are correct. The test is most unpleasant. I now stay home as much as possible so that I don’t have to experience that again. But should systems arrive due to my husband working, then I will have it done.

    I pray your test comes back negative, as did mine. I enjoy your blogs. I will look forward to hearing what you have to say while you are locked away.

    I need to take inspiration from you to write a blog daily. This way, maybe I can get more followers.

    I just re-edited my first book. I got a bad review. Found out the lady that did the review was correct. The editor I hired didn’t do her job correctly. Though, I have to say I have learned a lot from her mistakes. I have now fixed my book and will be submitting it soon. Then it will be off to edit book two. Now I have more knowledge, so hopefully, it will go smoother.

    Well, I am off to write my blog for the day. I bid you farewell for now.

    Karen ________________________________

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    1. Hi Karen. My test came back negative, thankfully. I’m sorry to hear of your editing experience and thank you for liking my writing. Connecting with authors like you inspire me to keep going. What genre do you write?

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  14. I am so glad to hear your test came back negative!!!
    I have lived in a constant state of COVID-chondria from the get-go, Every tickle in the throat, body-ache, or bit of fatigue raising the big spiky ball of viral plague in my head but then I remind myself that if I can run 10 miles every day I likely do not have the virus. I always wear a mask in public and I have not been exposed (that I know of) The office I work in is small and we each have a separate office space with minimal public contact so distancing is easy. My coworkers are taking this seriously and we have our own kind of bubble as we do keep close to our homes when not at work. The virus is really spiking here in MT and our hospitals are at the breaking point. We are in the top four states in the US for rising cases per capita. The county commissioners just voted against implementing ANY restrictions – and don’t even encourage the wearing of masks. People seem to think because we live in Montana we are immune to the disaster of this pandemic. The chickens are coming home to roost – full of the virus, however. Everything is a political statement now. It is very disheartening.
    I pray that you continue to be well, have prolific days of writing ahead, and of course, can enjoy those wonderful mind-clearing runs about your village.
    Blessings to you and Fionnuala!

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      1. I’ve been… productive… in my mindset. Happy to be trolling the WordPress community and collecting my thoughts. Too many changes to be certain about my current state… but happy to be here. Thinking i should get a little exercise in my daily though.

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  20. Pingback: My First And Hopefully Last COVID Test | THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON...

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