These days the government has moved from using actors to deliver the message of the dangers of COVID 19 to using real people who got ill and got hospitalised to the virus to share their life-threatening experiences. A member of the Filipino Lesbian and Gay Community (FLAGCOM) and friends, Mischa shares her COVID 19 ordeal and her vow to be a vaccination advocate when she is fully recovered.
Like other organisations, the Filipino Lesbian and Gay Community (FLAGCOM) and Friends has a group chat where the officers and members share information, inspiring articles, announcements, jokes and news. The chat room took a sombre atmosphere when FLAGCOM'S head Albert Prias shared a worrying news about one of its members being in hospital due to contracting COVID 19. In fact, Mischa was in the intensive care unit
Everyone in the group prayed for Mischa and sent her encouraging messages which Albie relayed to her. Mischa, who is turning 57 years old was taken to Concord Repatriation Hospital by ambulance on September 2. She was held in the intensive care unit till September 11 before being transferred to the COVID ward.
Mischa shared his brush with death due to COVID with the group and was happy to share with our readers to highlight the danger of COVID and the need to get vaccinated.
Mischa's First COVID 19 Battle Sharing
Today Sept 14, 2021 is the 14th day of my confinement at this hospital. At this point, I’m still on the road to recovery, and don’t worry guys, I will, slowly but surely get there to achieve my best health level. Thanks to all the prayers and support of my siblings, friends, relatives and the FLAGCOM community.
Let me share with you my journey, my battle with this VIRUS, the invisible, deadly, life-changing COVID 19. I know, somehow, I’m not alone in thinking that the flu vaccine is just a simple thing and it’s not serious. I have thought a lot of it and really never decided until it really got to my system .
One week before September 1, I had a feeling of flu as I thought I check the symptoms of COVID 19 on the internet but didn’t tick all the boxes, so I thought I’m ok, it’s just a flu. But with my depression, self- isolation at home because of the Sydney lockdowns, I somehow decided, "what the heck, I will get the vaccine". But I did not know that you have to be tested negative for COVID before they give you the vaccine .
That day, September 1 my scheduled first shot, I still have a flu and too lazy to do things. I called Dr. Lewis, and I said I cannot go to the clinic to get the flu vaccine shot as I’m not feeling well, but I assured him it’s not COVID 19 but my doctor sensed in my voice that something was wrong. He said: "Mischa, you have to call the ambulance NOW; you have COVID 19. When I heard that I got shivers all over my body and thinking, "OMG this is it, I have COVID 19". Before I ask my sister, who lives a few blocks away, to call ambulance she already called earlier because she knew that something was not right . The ambulance came and I was rushed to Concord Repatriation Hospital . The emergency unit was so busy that day and took a while to get the spot for me in the ward . But when I was inside the ambulance van I was given the first resuscitation as I was running out of breath. They put the big oxygen mask as I’m panicking trying to catch my breath. All I saw was darkness and didn't see anything just voices of the paramedics telling me to hold on and focus on my breathing. I felt like I was slowly sinking in a black deep hole and there was no way out. I was trying to catch my breath but seemed so hard. I might have passed out and when I woke up several doctors and nurses around me taking my blood samples, needles all over my body.
I was confined in the ICU for 9 days before I was taken to the ward. On Sept 11, they said I was out of danger, but still observing my oxygen level as it was severely low. I then realised the importance of oxygen in our body. When I tried to move a little bit, I coughed; now I can breath normally but on an oxygen supply of 2 litres. The trip to the toilet is an epic challenge; feels like the floor is moving and there is earthquake. My head was spinning; I only made an attempt once yesterday and definitely won’t do it again. I will just wait till I get well but now at this point, I’m starting to feel a bit stable. But I know it will take some time to get that complete recovery. The most challenging part is walking. It feels like there is an earthquake and the floor is gonna break; oh, I don’t like that feeling.
So guys, keep praying for me. As soon as I get well, I will be an advocate for COVID vaccine and encourage everyone to get tested and get vaccinated.
This kind of experience I’ve been through is life-changing and makes me appreciate life more than ever. GOD BLESS US ALL.
As of today's writing, Mischa is looking towards being discharged from the hospital on Monday, September 20. We asked him a few questions and we are glad to give our readers his further sharing.
What was the scariest part of your experience?
The scariest part of the experience as far as I can recall, was the feeling of helplessness. I knew it could be my last breath and in the back of my mind, there was this thought saying I was not prepared enough to leave behind me the people I love the most - my siblings. I wish I could have told them how much I love them and I know it’s too late and my time is up. That’s why I remember this passage as I’m reflecting, “everything can be taken away in the blink of an eye, so be thankful always”.
What would be doing as soon as you have recovered?
I have made a lot of reflections. After I survived my near-death episode, I now see things in a different perspective. I always take each day at a time to love more and be thankful more than ever. I will surely regret that if I’m gonna leave this planet without being able to say to my loved ones how much I love them.
The first thing I’m gonna do is to reach out to all my friends, relatives, friends of friends. I want to maximise all the social media avenues and platforms, spread informational campaign about this deadly virus and how it can make a difference in peoples' lives if they make the right and informed decision to get vaccinated.
What advice would you like to give people to avoid what you went through?
Be Mindful, Vigilant, and not complacent about their interaction with other people. Always remember , they are dealing with invisible disease. Their unconscious decision could result to a lifetime of regret. Don’t ignore the signs, at the slightest symptoms that you feel, get tested and get vaccinated as well. Just do the the right thing, sanitise your hands, wear PPE and avoid crowd, the conscious decision you make TODAY could have a big impact to the community in the FUTURE and generations to come. LET’S FIGHT THIS DISEASE, WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
What message would you like to give to those who supported you through your ordeal?
From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank them enough for all the prayers offered. We are all in this together to fight and be COVID Free for Life.
ABOUT MISCHA
Mischa, who is a resident in the Parramatta CBD, hails from Caloocan City, Philippines. She grew up from a big family of 15 (9 boys and 6 girls) with her being 13th or 3rd to the youngest. She has other brothers and sisters in the Philippines and Canada; she has in Australia her eldest sister and her other sister who used to be her former business partner.
She migrated to Australia in 2005 as an international student. She studied Diploma in Salon Management to help manage Highlight Salon, the business that her sisters and a good friend established in Blacktown. As she finished the course, she applied as General Skilled Migrant in the position of Senior Hairstylist/Salon Manager. She helped to establish the business in Blacktown. The business thrived for several years until she decided to establish her own business in 2010 under the name Bodytunes by Mischa the same line of business but focusing more on men’s grooming, full body therapy and manscaping.
Years ago, she was working in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia as Human Resources specialist. It was there she met and became friends with Albie Prias who encouraged her to try her luck in Australia and find her Great Australian Dream. She is grateful to be here and be a friend of Albie's till now.