THE GREATEST LOVE STORY AND MIRACULOUS RECOVERY OF MY LIFE
It all began when my boss was taken ill and later diagnosed with COVID. Sadly, he didn’t make it through and succumbed on the 09th of August. My colleague and I were not surprised when our results came back positive. Despite taking all the necessary precautions, we were not spared by this virus. We quarantined for the next 10 days taking home remedies and all the medications that was prescribed.
However, 10 days after Doc had passed away, my health began to deteriorate. Although my oxygen levels were dropping, I did not experience any problems with my breathing, but I was very weak and listless. During the months between December 2020 and February 2021, we were in the thick of the pandemic and people all around us were dying, but here we were hands on with Covid patients every single day. It made me wonder why now 6 months later and not then.
On Thursday 19th of August, I was admitted to hospital in a critical state and subsequently diagnosed with the dreaded COVID PNEUMONIA. On arrival at the hospital, I was put onto oxygen and wheeled to Hi-Care where I spent my first night. The next morning, I awoke to the swishing sound of my curtains being drawn. Through the little gap amidst my growing fears of apprehension and the movement of shadows, I saw the patient on the next bed being taken away in a black bag and it dawned on me that he had died during the night further magnifying my overwhelming fears. I had never feared the virus and thoughts of death had never crossed my mind before this.
Later that evening, I was moved to the ICU ward where I spent the rest of my stay. In the days that followed I had no sense of time or day. My children were called in fearful of the worst, but I don’t remember seeing them as often as they had come. I remember telling God that if I come out of this then I have a story to tell but if I don’t then my situation was solely in HIS HANDS.
Having the oxygen mask was necessary but the thirst and bone-dry feeling in my mouth was unbearable. I sometimes pleaded for just sips of water to get some reprieve. I had never felt so helpless and desperate before. Then one night, the sister on night duty, purchased a bottle of water and personally handed it to me. I was so overjoyed because now there was no need to keep asking for water and I could finally offer myself some semblance of self-dignity. I thanked her profusely and once again thanked the Lord for His gracious kindness to the world by blessing us with people like her. Thereafter I had a couple of sips of water and kept the bottle close to my heart in the crux of my arm and drifted off to sleep. That was the last I remembered anything.
Around 2 a.m. that morning, I was told that I was literally in the palm of death. Doctors called my son in Cape Town to seek his permission to put me onto the ventilator immediately or else they would certainly lose me. My son was understandably stressed and traumatized, not knowing what to do. I had mentioned to him earlier that I didn’t want to be admitted to hospital and become dependent on the ventilator knowing that from there on there were hardly any survivors due to the severity of the virus and the pneumonia.
I was heavily sedated and put onto life support. My body functions had to be shut down to limit body activity for the ventilator to work successfully. Once on Life Support, doctors had very little hope and informed my children that the chances of survival were very slim, because the virus had spread covering both my lungs almost entirely showing its full force.
In my comatose state, I remember lying on a pure white surface. Everything around me was pure white and looked like snow, but it was not cold at all. It appeared as if heaven’s pearly gates were welcoming me to its arms.
Despite my trepidations, my surrounding was filled with peace and tranquillity. I was alone but I had no fear at all. After what seemed to be an eternity the faces of my loved ones fleeted through my mind. Moments with friends, family and acquaintances which had before seemed so trivial and unimportant in my journey of life, now reminding me of simple precious things I had overlooked and taken for granted.
Sadly, I cannot possibly begin to share everything or truly put into words the intense feelings I had experienced, except to attempt to highlight but a few that could hopefully resonate with you. I pray that you will always be thankful for the precious treasures that you have and allow the Spirit of God to be the guiding light that ministers to your hearts.
It was about 3 weeks after my being on the ventilator, I remember it was the 12th of September, when my eyes opened to the hospital ICU ward. I was very disorientated, trying to gather my thoughts around me. Immediately after I awoke, the first thing that came to my mind was the question of my love for God. WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE GOD’S UNMERITED FAVOUR AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT HE SAW IT FIT TO BRING ME BACK? I fail God every single day of my life, yet He loves me with a pure love that only He can give, which is indescribable and without conditions.
The doctors and nurses on duty were extremely excited to see that I had woken up but not as thankful as I to have been blessed to see the world once more. I could hear them talking amongst themselves and some of them came to me and said that I must thank my God for bringing me out of this alive. They said that I had come a long way of which I had no doubt. Doctors told me that I was one in a million because at that point in time recovering from the ventilator was slim to none.
I was taken off the ventilator but was still on high levels of oxygen. It felt as though I was breathing for 2 people whilst on the ventilator, which was a little uncomfortable. One morning during my routine bath, I was having difficulty with breathing. I could feel the phlegm in my chest bubbling up and obstructing air from getting into my lungs. Nurses surrounded my bed to assist. I felt my chest shut down for a split second and I thought that my fate had run its course, and this was probably the end. Thank God for their medical expertise that helped me breathe again and their sigh of relief was mirrored by mine. It took me at least a week to recover from this incident.
Sometime later:
- After a very peaceful night’s rest, I awoke with an amazing feeling as if feathers were on both sides of my face. The warmth and comfort of these feathers was extremely incredible. Immediately my thoughts led me to Psalms 91 vs 4 – “I WILL COVER YOU WITH MY FEATHERS AND UNDER MY WINGS YOU WILL FIND REFUGE”. What an awesome promise that is!!
- Yet another morning, I saw this beautiful pink and orange, shiny veil over me. The radiance and warmth of this veil was so overwhelming that I wish I didn’t have to wake up from it.
- The last and most profound vision I had was that of the promise of God that was written in fine red print – “THIS FIGHT IS FINALLY OVER”.
By now I’ve had physio twice a day for a while, but I still could not sit or stand by myself. My feet felt so heavy that I couldn’t pick them up. My fingers were so stiff that I couldn’t make a fist. I was helpless once again laying there waiting for someone to assist with everything. Every single movement was an agonizing effort.
In the days that followed, I watched people all around me die. They come in talking and being able to eat and drink but within a few days their health begins to deteriorate as if in a blink of an eye. It was heart-breaking to hear them cry out in their weak and feeble voice for water. Then sometime later the curtains would close and re-open and you would be left with the sight of an empty bed with only a memory of a soul that was there no more. Many fell during my time in ICU. Then again, I was reminded of Psalms 91 vs 7 “A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT YOUR SIDE, TEN THOUSAND AT YOUR RIGHT HAND, BUT IT WILL NOT COME NEAR YOU”. That strengthened my faith and trust in God even more and I knew that He was always with me, and I was surely never alone. Psalm 23 and 91, became a living reality when I was unable to speak for myself.
My struggles were many, but I remained determined to get well and come home. I knew for sure that the road ahead was not going to be easy. I spent 47 days in ICU and finally it was time to be transferred to general ward. I spent my last 10 days here before my discharge from hospital on my 63rd birthday, (14th October 2021). I was still unable to sit or stand on my own and that was stressing me out. Doctors said that due to the length of time that I had been in bed, it would take me at least 4 to 6 months before I would walk again. Well, I was simply not prepared to accept that. I reminded God of the paralytic man who did not get medical treatment nor physiotherapy but was healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. I challenged God to just speak the Word and I will be back on my feet in one month. Amazingly, on the 12th of November, being just within a month, I started to walk without the support of the walker. Indeed, what an awesome God we serve!! He never ceases to amaze us with His Promised Word, His Supernatural Power, and Never-Ending Favour. From then onwards, thankfully my health progressed tremendously and here I am standing before you.
I have experienced weight loss, regrowth of my nails, loss of hair, and shedding of skin. I am not as quick and fast moving as I used to be and considering the aftereffects of COVID, it is a small price to pay for the GIFT of LIFE. Most importantly I had my sanity intact. Doctors were amazed at my determination and bravery during this fight. One thing I am certain, and can assure you of, is that God was with me every step of the way and He still is until this very day. I know for a fact that the medical team that worked with me during the entire time was truly ordained by God Himself.
Covid has made people forget who they are in Christ. Instead of drawing closer to God and trusting Him completely, having their faith grounded in Him, they just curled up in fear of their lives. Covid separated people, destroyed humanity and compassion for others. I thank God for the friends that braved the situation and was there in my time of need. All that God asks of you and me is FAITH AS LITTLE AS A MUSTARD SEED. Is that too much to ask?
Don’t wait for someone to leave this earth and then wish you told them that you loved them. It will be too late; they won’t hear you nor see your tears. Time is not ours to keep, spend it with ones you love, and you will never regret those precious moments. Even after they leave this earth, those moments will be etched in your memory forever.
Yes, I have come a long way from staring death in the face to my miraculous recovery. I am nothing less than a Miracle and God has proven once again that He alone holds the breath of life in His Mighty Hands. It is truly not over until He says it’s over. I know for sure that God is not done with my story yet and He alone has the final say.
I BELIEVE THAT NO STORY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT GIVING THANKS:
I want to humbly thank God from the depths of my heart and give Him the glory for what He has done and continues to do for me. I thank God for breathing Life into me when I couldn’t breathe on my own. I thank Him for Life when I was certain I had none. I thank Him for His Infallible Word, His Unconditional Love and Never-Failing Promises. God is still in the business of performing Miracles. After all He is a Covenant Keeping God.
I also wish to sincerely extend my humble thanks and heartfelt gratitude to every single person, especially my families, friends and not forgetting my neighbours that stood in the gap fervently interceding on my behalf, when I could not during my battle between Life and Death.
I thank the doctors and the medical staff for taking such good care of me whilst under their watchful eye, during the time I spent in ICU and for their medical expertise and professionalism that was divinely orchestrated by God Almighty.
To my children, I salute you, for standing strong and not giving up even though you were shattered, and your world became dark and bleak. When there seemed to be no hope and death was inevitable, you stood firm trusting God for wisdom and strength. I appreciate and value your love, care, and support always. Every single one of you were instrumental in my recovery.
I have learnt that 100’s if not 1000’s all over Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Scottburgh, Umzinto, and even India had called on God on my behalf.
HEAVEN HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ANSWER EVERY ONE OF YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE MY NAME WAS ON EVERYONE’S LIPS!!! THAT IS THE POWER OF PRAYER!
Here I stand before you and the world, declaring without a shadow of doubt, that God still answers prayer. He continues to answer mine and I’m sure that He can do the same for you.
I trust that you have been blessed and inspired by my story and it gives you HOPE for your own
FROM MY MOUTH TO GOD’S EARS, TO YOUR HEARTS, I SAY: THANK YOU!!!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY – AMEN!!
Kogie Rangasamy
