"Mental strength" - this keyword is embodied to an impressive extend by Long COVID patient Alma Baltic. As she tells her story, the listener inevitably marvels at the composure with which she recounts her experience of the long-term consequences following her corona infection. The 53-year-old describes her life before the first COVID-19 infection: The nurse and mother of three children was always active, both privately and professionally. Despite some strokes of fate that she had to overcome as a young woman, Alma Baltic always met challenges positively, she says. She shaped her life with joy in work, sports and singing. During the interview, she translated a proverb from Serbian: "Take everything positive that life gives you today."
Alma Baltic led an active life - enjoying work, sports and singing. (Image: private)
In December 2020, she had to slow down: a Corona infection forced her into a hospital bed with headaches, fever, muscle weakness and cognitive difficulties. Alma Baltic had recovered only slowly from the acute complaints - as late as spring 2021, she had only been somewhat better for hours at a time. The seizure-like muscle weakness and cognitive difficulties remained particularly pronounced. Thanks to good outpatient care by her doctors and therapists, she had been able to make small progress until she felt fit enough to take her first short ride on her e-bike again shortly before Easter 2021. In retrospect, it was probably due to a sudden feeling of dizziness that the nurse fell during this ride and had to be admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
A fall with the e-bike made the situation worse
After the accident, Alma Baltic began rehabilitation therapy. But when she was discharged from it, the 53-year-old had not yet been able to walk normally again - fortunately, she received support at home from her children, who helped her cope with everyday life. Between countless visits to the doctor and therapy approaches, the nurse fought her way forward step by step. Nevertheless, she had never been able to completely get rid of the cognitive impairment and regular bouts of weakness in particular. This resulted in a succession of accidents that exacerbated the condition due to the existing Long COVID problem. After another accident occurred in October 2021, Alma Baltic sustained injuries that severely limited her mobility.
Meanwhile, the Long COVID patient had to look back on a full year of illness. It was not only Long COVID and the consequences of the accidents themselves that placed an enormous burden on Alma Baltic: the connection between Long COVID symptoms and the accidents was often difficult for her private and medical environment to understand - a particular challenge when it came to communication. When her pain was attributed to psychosomatic patterns, the nurse did not feel taken seriously and felt left alone.
Numerous accidents due to Long COVID symptoms
Orthopedic surgery followed in spring of 2022. From successful rehabilitation and good medical care, Alma Baltic drew new strength and finally dared to take a big step towards her old life. In the summer of 2022, she started an attempt to return to her job. There, however, the consequences of Long COVID and the accidents caused her great difficulties: Although, as a nurse, she had previously been used to working under great time pressure and also taking on physically demanding tasks, she found that she was no longer able to withstand stress and physical strain. Renewed bouts of weakness also led to incidents and injuries at work. By now, Alma Baltic had almost become accustomed to the constant pain, she reports, as well as to the never-ending marathon of doctor's visits and the energy-consuming negotiations with insurance companies.
A permanent return to the nursing profession was not possible for Alma Baltic due to her Long COVID symptoms. As a result, she lost her employment, she says. In this situation, she felt very alone and would have liked more support from her employer.
Alma Baltic found fulfillment and joy in her job as a nurse. (Image: private)
With the great support of her children, the 53-year-old is looking for ways to be able to manage her everyday life independently again. She would like to find a part-time job in a less physically demanding field, because work has always been natural and very important to her, she says. Despite all the setbacks, she is positive that she will make it: "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" Her enthusiasm for fitness, swimming and social activities, which she has never given up even during difficult times and which she follows whenever her condition allows it, helps Alma Baltic to make steady progress. Her perseverance sets an example for many other Long COVID patients and may be an encouragement.
