Defeating COVID with healthy mind, body and spirit

WORLAND - When Lory August was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 26 doctors told her that with her comorbidities (cancer and diabetes) she likely would not survive. Her answer to them "Not today."

She entered into her battle with COVID with a healthy mind and a definite healthy spirit with her faith in God and faith in and support of her family. After 16 days of being isolated at Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital, August was released on April 9 and allowed to come home. She was told to self-isolate for an additional seven days to await her latest COVID test result.

HEALTHY SPIRIT

In an earlier interview August said, "I got a miracle from God or I would not be here. It's thanks to Jesus I am home."

In a telephone interview Monday, Lory said, "I know there is a purpose that I'm still here, there is a reason God saved me I just don't know what it is yet."

Lory and her husband Dan were in Rock Springs visiting her mother and father. Their daughter Shealynn August and her children have returned home to Louisiana after staying to help her parents. Shealynn said, "I came for a visit but stayed six months. I needed to help my parents. I felt I was where God needed me."

HEALTHY MIND

Lory said the first battle was getting a healthy mind back. While she was only isolated for 16 days, able to communicate occasionally by phone with her family, it was a lonely feeling in the hospital. She said when she first got home she had anxiety attacks and couldn't sleep because she was afraid of getting sick and having to go back to the hospital in isolation.

Lory's father also had to deal with that isolation when he had to go to a care facility for physical therapy. Family members could speak to him through a glass partition. Last week, when Dan and Lory arrived at her parents home, was the first time she and her dad were able to hug each other since January.

Dan August said his father-in-law told them that while he has never been to prison he felt it had to be close to what he was going through. "He cried because it felt so good to get a hug."

HEALTHY BODY

Now, six months after her bout with COVID-19, August said, "I'm doing well, I feel good." She said her lungs have been affected permanently with Dan August noting she sleeps with oxygen at night. Her cancer had been in remission prior to COVID but is back now, the family said.

And, of course, she still must manage her diabetes.

While not in perfect health, Lory August said the day she got home in April she and Dan began a lifestyle change in getting healthier, thanks to the help of Shealynn.

"Danny and I had to build our immune system up," Lory said, noting it was about exercising and eating the right foods.

"We still pretty much eat what we want, but it's the way we cook and the portions. And we eat a lot more greens," Lory said. She said they have always eaten salads, but they eat more salads now and more green vegetables than they did before.

"And water intake. I drink hot tea and hot water, but you have to drink water, not pop, not juice, water," Lory August said.

Dan August said the change has been good for him as well, but for the water, he said anyone who knows Lory knows she doesn't like water but drinking water and keeping her body hydrated every day has become routine for her now.

Lory has also lost 47 pounds and has been able to get off of three medications.

The changes have not only strengthened her immune system but also her oncologists have noticed that her bones are getting stronger.

Shealynn said it took four to six weeks for her mother to get her strength back from COVID and the hospital stay.

Dan, Shealynn and Shealynn's children, while in close proximity to Lory before and after her hospitalization never did test positive for COVID. "I am blessed that they didn't get it," Lory said.

FOREVER CHANGED

Through the COVID experience, the family grew stronger than they were before, Dan, Lory and Shealynn said.

"It brought our family closer, it made us stronger," Shealynn said.

The August family is Dan and Lory, their children, Danny August II, JohnRay August and Shealynn August. Grandchildren are Bryce, Brooklyn, Landon and AnnaLee.

Shealynn added, "There are things we went through that many people don't know."

One of those things they went through was dealing with people's reactions to Lory and her family when word got out that she had, had COVID. They were fearful and avoided her and the family.

"We saw how impactful fear is in people's lives. They treated us differently," Lory said.

"We just had to educate the public," Lory said, noting what is important in fighting COVID is getting healthy and washing your hands.

Shealynn said while collectively as an entire family they have been forever changed by the COVID experience, from a personal perspective she has drawn closer to her mother. "I almost lost my mom. That changes things," she said.

Feeling better and stronger, Lory has been moving forward with her life now. She said she and Dan are not wearing masks all the time when they are out and about, but they do not go where there are large crowds.

Shealynn said they have adopted the idea that healthy people do not need to wear masks. However, Shealynn said living in Louisiana with a mask mandate she does have to wear one more often.

The Augusts said they will wear one when asked, like going to doctor appointments or if they go somewhere where there are large crowds.

She noted the studies have shown that those with COVID are not expected to get COVID again.

Lory said dealing with COVID is no different than if you had influenza or pneumonia. She said if you have COVID, the flu, pneumonia, or feeling sick "stay home to protect others and yourself. Yes, if you are sick and you have to go out, wear a mask, but be sanitary and clean and wash your hands frequently. Whatever you have, you've got to keep your body healthy."

She added that is important for people to move forward.

"Eat healthy, live your life, move forward, don't let this imprison you," Lory said.

Dan added, "Don't let COVID consume you."