Nellie Corzo was hospitalized many times for illnesses related to COVID-19
By Deborah Walker
TNCPNEWS
INGHAM COUNTY, MI – Since its discovery in December 2019, COVID-19 has taken the lives of over a million Americans. Friends and families continue to grieve over the devastating and tragic effects of the pandemic and the loss of loved ones. As the pandemic rages on, those who were stricken with the disease continue to face an even greater battle. Known as “long-COVID” the side-effects of COVID can last a significant amount of time. The symptoms of long-COVID can include brain fog, respiratory problems, stomach issues, and hair loss. For many COVID long-haulers, the pandemic may be ending, but their fight is just beginning.
Nellie Corzo is a COVID long-hauler. Diagnosed with the virus early on in the pandemic she said her symptoms were mild at first and then flared up over time.
The diagnosis
Corzo was diagnosed with COVID in October of 2020. When she initially became ill, Corzo confessed that she did not worry about her sickness because COVID was new. With less than a year into the pandemic, the mother of four said there was not a lot of information about the disease.
Not having a sense of taste or smell was the first COVID symptom Corzo said she remembered. Not understanding her prodrome, which is an early symptom indicating the onset of a disease or illness, Corzo turned to her mother for help.
“I told my mom, I haven’t had much of a taste or smell and my mom said ‘Nellie, you should go get tested for COVID,’” explained Corzo.
Taking her mother’s advice, Corzo took a COVID test. It was positive. Immediately Corzo said she contacted her job to inform them of her diagnosis, and then she went into quarantine with immediate family members.
“I was the only one that took the test,” said Corzo. We just assumed if I was positive we would all be positive. So we all ended up quarantining for the same amount of time.”
After staying at home for an extended period of time, Corzo returned to work. She said life seemed to return to normal for her.
Long-COVID symptoms
In November, shortly after returning to work, Corzo began to experience the first symptoms of long-COVID. An intense ear-itch developed and Corzo did not understand why.
“I can only describe it as if it reached the inner mass of my brain. Nothing I did could alleviate the itch,” Corzo confessed.
At the time of the onset of her first symptom, Corzo said she had no family doctor, so she went to Urgent Care for help. After an examination, she was told that her ears “looked fine.” The prescribed ear drops, and steroid pack, did not work and Corzo explained that was the first of an onslaught of COVID symptoms.
In addition to spending the month of November with an intense itching ear, the COVID long-hauler said she still had no taste or smell.
Miraculously the sensation in her ear disappeared in the month of December on its own. Once again life seemed to return to normal. However, at the beginning of January 2021, Corzo said she woke up with intense pressure in her head. That was the beginning of what would spiral out of control for the next few years, Corzo recalled.
Corzo said she was hospitalized a total of 17 times dealing with numerous symptoms and COVID-related issues. Going to the hospital gave Corzo no relief. She said her visits resulted in a diagnosis of having migraines, being related to anxiety, or high blood pressure.
Help has arrived
Corzo said a friend reached out to a doctor for her. Still not having a family doctor, she realized that making return trips to the emergency room was not a feasible plan. The medical professional pinpointed her symptoms as COVID related.
Corzo said that she now receives adequate medical care, but that was not always the case. She confessed that in the beginning, it was difficult to receive proper care. Encountering people that did not treat long-COVID as being “real” and acting “unkind” towards her was common. Early in her battle with long-COVID, Corzo said she overheard medical staff making rude comments about her such as “Oh, she’s here again,” or “She was just here the other day.” That was difficult to deal with, added Corzo.
Biggest supporters
COVID has changed her life forever, exclaimed Corzo. Before contracting the virus, she knew where her life was headed. Corzo explained that she had just purchased a home and had a secure job and friends. She felt as if she was on top of the world.
After the decline in health, due to long-COVID, Corzo said she lost more than she anticipated.
“I found myself at one point in time isolated and my health started to decline so quickly. And the people that I would reach out to that were there in the beginning suddenly, after a while were no longer there. You start to realize who your real family and friends are when you become isolated,” stated Corzo.
There was a point where Corzo had a feeding tube and could not walk. She said during that time she lost herself and the person she thought she was. As a result of not being able to work due to her symptoms, Corzo said she was terminated from her job. She lost her home and vehicles. Suicide crossed her mind during this time.
“I literally felt alone in a world where nobody knew what was happening at that time. It was new. I thought I was crazy. The doctors that I had encountered in the beginning, and medical staff didn’t make it easy by telling me I only had anxiety,” said Corzo.
Corzo was not deterred. Starting over meant the chance to rebuild her life into something new and different.
She said people came from nowhere to help. Her husband was in a band and decided to have a benefit for her. Other bands got involved and the turnout was a success. Corzo said the community came together and raised money to help with the hospital bills. The support was “overwhelming” explained Corzo.
Online support groups also became a major source of inspiration and assistance. Corzo explained that she forged strong bonds with people that she continues to keep in contact with.
Advice to others
Corzo said she copes by being a support person for other COVID long-haulers. She is also in therapy to help her deal with being a COVID long-hauler. She advises other COVID long-haulers to seek out others who are going through the same thing. Facebook has many groups for long-haulers and is a great resource to find help. Corzo said many of the specialists she has gone to were suggested by other COVID long-haulers.
“No one is going to understand you better than someone who has been there, done that, and is currently going through it,” said Corzo. “Other people who have been going through something as long as you or maybe longer may have other resources that you never even thought about.”
Today Corzo said her health is much better although she still has symptoms. She said on a typical day she gets up and helps her children off to school, however, every day is not a good day. And some days it is difficult to get out of bed.
Corzo said she wants to give hope to other long-haulers or other people who may face adversity and tragedy.
“Don’t look too far ahead and look up to God. Just take it one day at a time.” Corzo concludes.
This story is one of a three-part series. Sociologically Speaking with Rina Risper vodcast will also be recording three episodes featuring Nellie Corzo, Ernest “Ernie” and Janice Cabule and mental health therapist and owner of Live, Love & Laugh Family Service, Jaynaya Barlow.
The vodcast and stories are sponsored in part by the Tyson Family Foundation, Ingham County Health Department, Capital Area Health Alliance, and the Ingham County Health Equity Council (HEC). This series will address COVID-19-related inequities and risk factors among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities within Ingham County.
