Going to a pathology lab for any
kind of bodily or non-bodily test has been a traumatizing experience for me. I
can’t heave a sigh of relief unless my reports have been approved normal by
doctors. So I generally avoid such test unless absolutely necessary. But
undergoing covid test was mandatory, for me as per the guidelines laid down by Kerala
state for inter-state travelers.
I didn’t sleep whole night
thinking about the result of the test result, though I didn’t had any symptoms
still a test report will reaffirm my belief as well as that of my family
members, especially my dad. His policy was very clear, till your test results
come, father son emotions are down. A negative report will rekindle the emotion
of a father for his son. My dad is too scared of covid as well as people
undergoing quarantine.
My sleep was disrupted at 3.00 am
on the day of the test, after I couldn’t sleep despite my best efforts. By 7.00
am I got up from bed and tried to meditate to divert my attention but I failed
here too. By 9.00 am I had my breakfast and I was all set to go for the test.
But I couldn’t go as my appointment was scheduled for 12 noon, I called the lab
one more time to confirm my schedule.
I still had 2 more hours to go
and I didn’t know how to pass those 2 hours. So I diverted my attention to the
laptop, to watch some series which interest me. When I watch action thriller
series or movie, I get so engrossed in it, that I forget myself for some time. This
trick usually work for me and this time too it worked.
Before heading out for the
hospital, my aunt told me to keep my clothes ready in bathroom so that I can
directly head for shower. Thanks to corona, a shower is mandatory after an outside
visit, especially from hospitals.
At 11.30 am I finally left home
for the test, I was driving the car and my uncle was on his bullet to guide me
the way. We didn’t travel in the same vehicle because my test results were yet
to come and it was a precautionary measure.
By 12.00 pm I reached the
hospital and reported at the reception counter.
I was asked to fill some forms before the test, which I did promptly.
After that I was directed to the test area, with the forms. One attendant took
my form along with the money and asked me to wait for my turn.
After 2 patients my name was
called and I went inside, I was too scared (my cousin told me, she experience
nasal pain for 2 days after the test). So I told the guy to be gentle and he
told me to relax and sit back.
He inserted a swab first in my
left nose, it was little irritating but had to bear it. When he took the swab
out I was happy as I thought I was done with the test. But my happiness was
short lived, when he put swab in my right nose. It was then that I realized that
swabs are put in both nostrils. Finally, I was done with my first covid test.
I was told that within 10 mins my
results will be out, this was the longest 10 minutes of the day. I think my day
that day was all about diverting my attention, first it was for the test now
for its result. I bet people across globe will want this one test report to be
negative to be happy while it is vice versa for pregnancy test.
After 10 mins, my name was called
out and I went there with bated breath, the attendant told its negative. But I didn’t
hear it correctly the first time, obviously because of anxiety, so I request
him to repeat, he obliged. I can’t express in words my excitement at that
moment, I just wanted to hug someone tightly then but I controlled my emotions,
as I was in a hospital.
I informed my uncle about the
result and called my parents too, as they had called me couple of time by now enquiring
about the result.
Journey back home was joyful, as I
was getting relieved about from my quarantine that day.
