(Minghui.org) My name is Carolyn, and I am a 37-year-old wife of a Falun Dafa practitioner. After five years of marriage, I became pregnant with our first child.
My symptoms first started on Thursday, January 7. Over the first two to three days, I experienced some minor discomfort in my throat, along with sudden waves of heat and cold.
On Sunday, January 10, I started feeling extremely cold. Despite following my husband’s advice to bask in the sun, the chill persisted, even though I was swaddled from head to toe in thick blankets. My husband told me that he could barely feel any wind. However, I was so cold that even a slight wind caused my head to hurt. I had experienced similar symptoms when I came down with the flu during my third month of pregnancy. Reflecting on the flu vaccine I had taken earlier I became rather vexed. It had done nothing to prevent this latest infection. I refused to consider the possibility of COVID-19, until I started seeing more definitive signs of the disease.
Soon after, my nose became so blocked that I could barely breathe, while my nasal cavity became incredibly dry and painful. I had never experienced such symptoms before. I could only breathe from my mouth. I was also constantly clearing phlegm from my throat, and my lips became dry and cracked. The worst however was the constant body aches. My whole body, even my joints, hurt so badly that I could barely bear the pain.
On Monday, January 11, I awoke to find the feeling of pain had intensified. With few options left, I decided to call our family doctor, intending to ask him for some anti-inflammatory medication to help speed up my recovery.
I called the clinic the first thing in the morning. However, the clinic receptionist informed me that their clinic was suffering from an influx of COVID-19 patients. Our family doctor would only be able to contact me later. It was 6 p.m. that evening when the doctor finally returned my call. I described my symptoms, and the doctor instantly told me I likely had COVID-19. He advised me to undergo nucleic acid diagnostic testing, and suggested I purchase a pulse oximeter to monitor the oxygen saturation of my blood. Should the reading on the device fall below 90%, I was to seek immediate emergency treatment.
That Monday night, my fever went up. This was in addition to my sore throat, phlegm and severe body aches. I was unable to sleep due to the extreme discomfort. In the past, I used to prioritize my dream of owning my own home, owning luxury goods and pursuing worldly pleasures. This period of suffering helped me realize how meaningless these dreams were.
The following day, I went for a diagnostic test and received a positive result confirming I had COVID-19. I was 26 weeks pregnant then.
My fever became unbearable. I alternatively felt hot and cold, sweating one moment and trembling with cold the next. The oxygen levels in my blood fell to 94% at one point, while my heart raced at 135 beats per minute. The pain from my other symptoms was already so overwhelming, I felt no discomfort and paid little attention to my rapid heart rate.
My illnesses worsened until I was unable to get up from my bed. My husband started serving my meals at my bedside and feeding me, spoonful by spoonful. Throughout, my biggest fear was for my unborn child. My inability to feel any fetal movements left me worried sick. That afternoon, I took some anti-fever medication. Although my fever rapidly subsided, it spiked again two hours later. My sore throat became worse. Even swallowing my own saliva resulted in extreme pain. I was so short of breath that I could not speak. I also coughed up so much phlegm, that soiled tissues spilled out of my trashcan by the end of the day. At that point, I truly felt close to death.
My husband and mother-in-law had practiced Falun Dafa for years. My husband had previously explained the goodness and magic of Falun Dafa. Inspired, I attempted to practice Falun Dafa for a few months. However, those miracles my husband described never materialized. Discouraged, I stopped practicing a few months later.
At the peak of my suffering, I suddenly recalled a phone conversation I had with a friend. I had told her about my latest maternity checkup, where my gynecologist determined my child was in an abnormal fetal position, increasing the risk of severe bleeding and premature delivery. I was very worried. Unexpectedly, my friend reassured me that her two children had both been in abnormal fetal positions, but her pregnancies had still gone smoothly. Her first child had been safely delivered with no complications. With her second child, she had experienced three episodes of slight bleeding but still delivered her child without any problems. My friend then advised me to recite the phrase “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” to overcome dangerous situations safely.
Encouraged by this recollection, I started reciting the phrase. I also told my husband and mother-in-law. With this lifeline, my fear immediately abated. I started to recite “Falun Dafa is good” all night long. Before going to sleep, I would reassure my unborn son, “We will overcome this obstacle together.”
On January 12, when suffering from a severe coughing fit that left me unable to sleep, my husband remarked, “Changing one’s heart can change a situation for the better.” I could not understand the meaning of his words.
The following afternoon, my husband elaborated on his words. “A person may verbally recite the phrase Falun Dafa is good, in order to obtain benefits from Dafa. Yet this person may also continue to do deeds and say words that are detrimental to Dafa’s reputation. So it may be not effective.” On hearing his words, I felt weak and discouraged.
I lay back down and covered myself with thick blankets. Just then, words involuntarily spilled out from my mouth. “I have Master and the Fa. It is time to elevate my character, and I admit my mistake. I will not do this again.” Afterward, I silently continued to recite the phrase “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” Two hours later, my husband noticed my increasing discomfort and fed me some anti-fever medication. Afterward, I sweated so much that my blanket and clothes were soaked.
My fever subsided, while my condition started to improve for the better. That night, I managed to practice the third set of Falun Dafa exercises for 10 minutes.
Over the next two days, I did not have a fever, but my body continued to feel painful and sore, especially my back, and I could barely move. A persistent dry cough left my head ringing and my lungs so breathless that I could not speak. That Friday, I managed to perform the third set of Falun Dafa exercises for 20 minutes, extending it to 30 minutes on Saturday.
At night, my cough remained severe enough that I would silently recite “Falun Dafa is good” until I fell asleep. Two days later, my respiratory symptoms miraculously vanished without a trace. My sense of smell was the only thing not fully restored.
I began to regain my appetite, while my physical and mental strength improved by the day. Besides practicing the third set of Falun Dafa exercises, I also started practicing the first set of exercises. On January 28, I took a nucleic acid diagnostic test, and obtained a negative result. A re-test conducted on February 3 confirmed the accuracy of this diagnosis.
Having confirmed I was no longer infected with COVID-19, the hospital allowed me to go for a maternity checkup. The gynecologist told me the good news. Everything had reverted to normal. My son was no longer in an abnormal fetal position. I had no gestational diabetes or hypertension, and my physical condition was excellent. My gynecologist told me I could consider a natural birth.
To date, I’ve recovered my sense of smell. I’ve also shared my personal experience with my friends and parents. “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” truly helped me in overcoming this difficult time.
I hope to share my experience with fellow COVID-19 patients. Those whose conditions have yet to improve, those whose illnesses are severe, and those for whom modern medicine has been rendered ineffective – I urge you to try reciting the phrase “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,” for miracles to come true.
Thank you, Master Li, for saving me and my son.