Three generations share our family home including, Rob my husband (56), our children Rhiannon (20), Chantelle (18) and my parents Jenny (77) and Jim (79). We are all double vaccinated but still to get booster shots. A few weeks before Christmas, Rhiannon was unwell with a cold. She tested negative during that time.

Mon 20 Dec. Rhiannon was making Christmas cakes with her grandmother and couldn’t smell the ingredients! We made her get swab tested (PCR) immediately.

Tue 21 Dec. Mum was stranded at the train station, and only Rhiannon could pick her up. They spent approximately 20 minutes in the car together.

Wed 22 Dec. Rhiannon received positive test results. We followed all protocols: Rhiannon stayed in her room with a bathroom to herself, no face-to-face interactions, and we increased ventilation. Meals were delivered to an exchange table, and Rhiannon sprayed everything with disinfectant before we collected dishes, which were washed in the dishwasher.

Mum tested positive six days later. She had a slight headache and runny nose for two days and isolated in her room for seven days.

Rhiannon’s partner also tested positive exactly six days after he had seen her however, he was asymptomatic (no symptoms).

Thu 6 Jan. After the range of negative PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), we were given the all-clear to leave the house.

Fri 7 Jan. Ten days after Mum’s positive test, Rob and I were planning to go to the cricket. We both had negative RATs.

Sat 8 Jan. We had a great time at the cricket, sat in the hot sun and drank a few beers.

Sun 9 Jan. I woke feeling ‘off’. I put it down to too much sun and being dehydrated. About 3 pm, I developed a sore throat and took my last RAT, which was negative.

Mon 10 Jan. I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a train; headache, sore throat, fever, total body shivers, heavy head and body aches. To be safe, I stayed home and got a PCR test. Progressively I got worse. I lost my voice, and my throat was so sore I could hardly swallow.

Tue 11 Jan. Rob started to feel unwell, and my results came back positive. By 1.00pm Rob felt as bad as I had the day before, and he developed a cough. By evening, I was so unwell that I called my GP. She could only recommend managing the symptoms. Rob and I both developed diarrhoea, with Rob also vomiting. Trust me; this was not pleasant!

Wed 12 Jan. I could not swallow my saliva or tablets or drink fluids. Our health system was overwhelmed, and I could not get any help until our pharmacist arranged some liquid anaesthetic for me, which I could syringe into my throat, allowing me to swallow.

Fri14 Jan. The terrible headache returned, improving by lunchtime.

Sat 15 Jan. I woke after 5 hours, needing Panadol, but thankful for the most extended sleep I had since the previous Sunday. I was able to move about and eat a proper meal.

Sun 16 Jan. Rob started feeling better.

Mon 17 Jan. Almost back to normal. I still have an annoying dry cough that NSW health says can last up to one month. My voice gets a bit scratchy if I talk too much.

Rob didn’t go back to work until Thursday; he is still fatigued, has a cough, and needs an inhaler most days.

Rob and I were shocked that we got so ill compared to others we knew with mild symptoms; they reported it was just like having a bad cold. We thought we were prepared for Covid after two years of living in lockdowns and talking about nothing but bloody Covid. I honestly think we were unprepared.

Things we wish we had:

• Panadol and Nurofen
• Dissolvable Disprin. Gargling and then swallowing gave much relief.
• A good thermometer
• Hydrolytes. Essential to stop dehydration and the ice blocks for sore throats.
• Easy-eat foods: soups (broth kind) and soft pasta.
• Lozenges and strepsils
• Disinfectant and Dettol wipes. We sprayed every time we went to the bathroom or into another area of the house.

Things we did have:

• Amazing neighbours to cheer us up and get us little things we had forgotten. Having people check in with genuine concern made a big difference to our wellbeing.
• KN95 masks for interacting with Covid-positive family members.
• Activities that helped against the mental health struggle of isolation. It’s important to keep reminding people it doesn’t last forever, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

We all survived. Everyone had a maximum seven-day cycle from first symptoms to feeling better. Days 2 to 4 were the worst. Mostly we are incredibly grateful we had each other and our neighbours as support. Covid is a very isolating experience, and I can imagine that it would be frightening if you were on your own. I can only advise everyone to get prepared.