The virus has affected her mobility, left her seriously fatigued and with a range of symptoms that have aggravated existing medical conditions.
“I caught Covid-19 just before Christmas along with the rest of my household,” said Rev. Beckett, “but I became very ill and didn’t get better. At the moment, I spend most of the day and night sleeping. It is likely that my recovery, or as much of one as I get, will take time, though I hope to get back to work bit by bit.”
Since first catching the virus, Rev. Beckett said her sense of smell has returned and the breathless choking and fevers are gone. But she said that she has been left with a persistent cough that will not respond to antibiotics and inability to walk much without assistance. She now has a walking stick and a mobility scooter – “to terrorise my fellow pedestrians and give me back a measure of freedom”.
In addition, she said: “I suffer some intermittent symptoms – headaches, dizziness, heartburn, nausea, lack of appetite, sensory glitches, inability to sleep, inability to stay awake – and some constant symptoms – fluctuating brain fog, absolute exhaustion, muscle tremors/weakness and extra pain. The doctors cannot tell me when or if things will get better than they are now.”
Rev. Beckett was diagnosed with virally triggered ME/CFS some years ago and knew that catching Covid could leave her more disabled – but despite her illness, she asked people not to worry about her. “Many are in a much worse position and I have a lot to thank God for,” she said. “My husband Michael and my family have taken excellent care of me and my church family here have been fantastic. I couldn’t ask for better, truly.”
“My incapacity is no-one’s fault – just one of those things that happen in life,” she added. “I am fine in myself and I am well supported, well cared-for and not depressed. I have learned to live with fatigue and chronic pain and to make peace with the choices, abilities and dreams I lost and still have a beautiful and fulfilling life full of love and fun and creativity and holy mischief. I can do it again.”
