Covid survivor shares his story in a book

“I am not an author, but I did it anyway…”

If you are wondering what this quote means, well so did Nolan Pillay when he started writing his first book about facing the traumatic experience of having Covid-19, being hospitalised and fighting for his life every day.

January 13 seemed like a normal day for the Farrarmere resident who took a jog, as being healthy and fit is a priority to him.

While on his jog, a metallic taste filled his taste buds, which he did not take seriously until a few hours later.

“By that evening, I had a fever, aches and pains,” Nolan, who is a motivational speaker by profession, explained.

“I tried my best to fight it, but eventually my son, Tre, took me to get tested for Covid-19.”

When Nolan tested in Benoni CBD, his results were positive and the then 49-year-old father knew it would be a long journey ahead for him.

“I was admitted immediately into ICU at Netcare Linksfield Hospital. My oxygen was at 58% and I was diagnosed with Covid-pneumonia,” he explained.

The journey was not only difficult for Nolan, but also for his wife, Seema, daughter, Alicia, and son, who had all also tested positive.

“I spent 13 days in ICU, did not eat for four days, lost over 10kg and witnessed many deaths in the ward,” Nolan said.

His mental health suffered a setback when a doctor was admitted into the same ward with Covid-19.

“The doctor was so sick and in so much pain that he cried to die – and he eventually did,” said Nolan.

“By day six I had lost all hope and called my family to say this journey is too traumatic for me.

“My family tried their best to motivate me to fight the virus, and that is what I then decided to do.

“On day seven I uploaded a video to inspire others to take care of themselves. The video received several responses of people saying I should record my journey.”

While the self-published author had no experience in writing books, he was motivated to do so after someone told him they believed he was not ready to pen his story.

“This is exactly why I then began writing the book, in March/April, and within six weeks it was finished.”

The book, entitled My Covid Journey, consists of 19 chapters, delving into each area of Nolan’s journey with the coronavirus.

“I believe Covid-19 is 95% a mind battle and 5% vitamins,” the father of two explained.

His book was launched in Durban in late September and has since hit bookstore shelves in the UK and USA.

While Nolan made a successful turnaround, his journey is still not over.

“I am due for my last checkup on October 12.

“It has not been easy going from someone who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to someone who could only take 10 steps a day before getting tired.”

Now 50 years old, Nolan said on day three of his ordeal with Covid-19 doctors wanted to place him on a ventilator.

However, his own doctor requested he stay on the fast-flow oxygen, which he did.

“At around day seven, I chose life over death,” he explained.

He hopes his book will inspire not only Covid patients to maintain a positive mindset but to bring closure to those who have lost loved ones to Covid by telling them what the journey was possibly like for those who did not survive.

The Pillay family has decided against being vaccinated in the belief that their bodies will be able to fight the virus should they contract it again.

They encouraged others to be mindful and respectful towards others’ decisions about whether or not to be vaccinated.

COMPETITION – ENTER NOW
The City Times is giving away three copies of Nolan Pillay’s book, My Covid Journey.
To put yourself in line to win a copy, correctly answer the following question: How many chapters does Nolan’s book consist of?
Email your answer, full name and contact details to sheinar@caxton.co.za with ‘Nolan’ in the subject line.
Entries close at midnight on October 15.
A lucky draw will determine the winners (and the answer must be correct) and they will be contacted via email.
Good luck!

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