MN: Let’s talk about the virus itself, what are the problems it causes in your body?

KNM: Let me summarise by saying this sickness is a monster! Every day you fight something new. After I was released from quarantine at the Berea Hospital, earlier this month, I was symptoms’ free and able to breathe on my own. Things like headaches and palpitations used to come and go, but I thought they would go away with time. Barely after 24 hours at home I collapsed, my husband found me on the floor, weak, speechless and shaking. He immediately took me back to hospital where I was readmitted. It’s the 15th day today and I finally have the strength and courage to write.

MN: Talking about courage, what pushed you to decide to open up about your sickness?

KNM: You know some of my friends and family members advised me not to say anything any more about this journey. I listened but later realised that writing about it helps me to heal, I couldn’t hold it back much longer, I had to let you know of the long and short-term effects of this virus.

MN: Getting re-infected must have been devastating, what can you say about that?

KNM: I have been hospitalised again, you can imagine! You see, our house and vehicles were not fumigated upon my arrival at home from hospital then my husband started coughing but not too much. We were happy together again, maybe he re-infected me or it was prolonged COVID-19 effects, he had not completely healed from COVID-19 I guess.  The next day I experienced some of the symptoms all over again - coughing, tight chest, rash on my face, running stomach and worst palpitations and heart problems. I was then back on oxygen for a couple of days at the hospital and the squeezing pain in my heart, Jo! It was terrible.

MN: How is your family coping with all this?

KNM: It’s quite hard and very emotional for us to go through this journey, I can’t wish for anyone to go through this ‘twice’. A few days ago my fighting spirit was gone. I wanted to rest for good but was quickly reminded of my family, therefore I had to fight and win. I wish this could be over. To be honest, I am scared but I am also thankful that God has given me so many chances in life including fighting the Coronavirus even when it hurts so much.

MN: What do you want to say to the nation in regard to this monster?

KNM: I completely feel for those who have lost their loved ones through COVID-19. Some never got a chance to say goodbye or even to see their loved ones’ cold bodies.

SURVIVING: COVID-19 patient Khabiso Nkune Mohapi

Khabiso Nkune-Mohapi is one of over 700 people infected with COVID-19 in Lesotho. Her experience is one of the most extra-ordinary as she was released out of quarantine and re-admitted not long before she had celebrated her freedom, with yet a strong reinfection.

monster.

I still don’t know how we are surviving through this ‘roller-coaster ride’ of a virus. It’s just too much for one family to handle.

MN: Let’s talk about the virus itself, what are the problems it causes in your body?

Nkune-Mohapi is the deputy chairperson of the Tour Operators Association of Lesotho. She is a family woman with three children - a baby boy aged 15 months and two girls of 10 and 17 years – she owns the Mokhotlong Expeditions established in March 2014. During the Ministry of Tourism and Culture awards ceremony of 2017/18, she clinched the ‘Number One tour operator of the year’ accolade.

KNM: Let me summarise by saying this sickness is a monster! Every day you fight something new. After I was released from quarantine at the Berea Hospital, earlier this month, I was symptoms’ free and able to breathe on my own.

Things like headaches and palpitations used to come and go, but I thought they would go away with time. Barely after 24 hours at home I collapsed, my husband found me on the floor, weak, speechless and shaking.

Her business took her to many countries across the globe including almost all over southern Africa.

In this interview with Metro News (MN) reporter, Kabelo Masoabi, she takes us through her struggles with COVID-19, which she says have brought her life to a standstill and left her psychologically and financially tested.

He immediately took me back to hospital where I was readmitted. It’s the 15th day today and I finally have the strength and courage to write.

MN: Talking about courage, what pushed you to decide to open up about your sickness?

MN: What has been your experience with the disease since you tested positive about two months ago?

KNM: You know some of my friends and family members advised me not to say anything any more about this journey.

KNM: Let’s talk about the psychological impact created by the fact that I tested positive. You know sometimes you have to be strong and tell yourself that you can beat this no matter what, and there are times that you just break down and cry.

I listened but later realised that writing about it helps me to heal, I couldn’t hold it back much longer, I had to let you know of the long and short-term effects of this virus.

MN: Getting re-infected must have been devastating, what can you say about that?

MN: You tested positive with your husband, it must have been a traumatic moment as you are both breadwinners?

KNM: I have been hospitalised again, you can imagine! You see, our house and vehicles were not fumigated upon my arrival at home from hospital then my husband started coughing but not too much.

KNM: COVID-19 doesn’t only leave you with emotional scars but it also gives you side effects that may take a lifetime to heal.Financially it took everything we had from buying all kinds of medication to special diets, fumigations and getting anything and everything that could kill thisWe were happy together again, maybe he re-infected me or it was prolonged COVID-19 effects, he had not completely healed from COVID-19 I guess. Keep safe by all means necessary and may God be with you all.