From Health Struggles to Healing Scents
In November 2021, my life took a sudden and unexpected turn. What began as a cough quickly escalated into a battle for breath that would land me in the hospital for 23 grueling days. Diagnosed with COVID pneumonia, respiratory failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), my journey was fraught with uncertainty, fear, and moments of profound clarity.
I remember being admitted to the hospital, a sense of dread washing over me as I realized the severity of my condition. Within two weeks, I was placed on a ventilator, my body unable to manage the simplest of tasks—breathing.
Waking up after 35 hours, I felt disoriented and vulnerable. The beeping machines and the sterile smell of the hospital were overwhelming, yet there was also a flicker of hope. I was alive, but the road to recovery was just beginning. After being extubated, I faced an uphill battle. For five months, I relied on supplemental oxygen, my lungs still reeling from the assault of the virus.
During my time in the hospital, my husband could visit for just one hour each day. In those moments, I clung to his presence like a lifeline. It was my incredible ICU nurse who introduced me to the power of essential oils, using fragrance to ease my anxiety, relieve my migraines, and calm my restlessness. Each scent became a source of comfort, a reminder that there was still beauty in the world outside my hospital room. Interesting fact-I was my ICU nurses first patient to be awake, I was the second patient ever to stand at the St Cloud Hospital and the first for my PT!
My journey continued even after I left the hospital. Recovery has been complex, with lingering effects that are often invisible to others. Scar tissue on my lungs serves as a reminder of my ordeal, and diminished lung capacity means that even simple activities can leave me breathless. The brain fog has been particularly challenging, clouding my thoughts and making daily tasks feel monumental. Exhaustion has become my unwelcome companion, and insomnia often steals away my nights.
Yet, amidst these challenges, I’ve discovered resilience. Each day is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. I’ve learned to listen to my body and take things one step at a time.
A pivotal moment came when my sister-in-law took me to a candle-making shop. As we created our candles, she casually suggested, “I think you should open a candle shop.” At the time, I brushed it off, but the idea lingered in my mind. Today, I am proud to say I own a candle store, where I share the healing power of fragrance with others. My mission is to evoke the same sense of peace and comfort I found during my recovery.
As I share my story, I hope to raise awareness about the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and inspire those who may be facing their own battles. Life may look different now, but it is still beautiful. I am determined to reclaim my life, one breath at a time, and I know that healing is possible—even when the road seems daunting.
It's my passion to help bring relaxation and calm to others that I experienced myself thru the power of fragrance. In the hospital, I was introduced to essential oils. They helped to calm my nervous system when my entire body was in panic mode. (Believe it or not, your body becomes anxious when you are struggling to breathe) Fragrance helped me remain calm when my mind couldn't be reasoned with. I love bringing that sense of relaxation and calm to your home, the very place that should be the embodiment of peace and calm. Thanks for reading my story! I am passionate about the healing power of fragrance....one scent at a time.
