Community Stories
Each month Face of Fifty will share a story from a member of the community. These stories will provide glimpses into their lives navigating the world as a black woman in her fifties. The stories will cover everything from family, health, dating, surviving loss, starting over, and more! We hope these stories inspire and enlighten you.
Surviving COVID-19 by Diane Wilkes Tribitt
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I’m grateful to be alive to share my personal story of surviving Covid-19. I was blessed to experience the manifestation of God’s supernatural healing power. November 13, 2020 is a day that will forever be etched in my mind, but it’s also the day that would change the course of my life.
My husband and I began to experience flu-like symptoms (i.e. fatigue, coughing, stuffy noses, sore throats, body aches). Initially, I felt my symptoms were brought on because I had a flu shot earlier in the week. Yet, with both of us not feeling well, we knew something wasn’t right. COVID wasn’t at the top of our list because we had followed the guidelines for social distancing, sanitizing, and wearing our masks. However, I’m a middle school teacher and I knew there were risks of contracting it, but I didn’t think it would happen to me. On November 11, 2020 we went to get tested for COVID. I was first to receive the call from my doctor telling me I tested positive for COVID. I was in total disbelief. Shortly after that, my husband received the call from his doctor with the same results. Neither of us knew who got it from whom and frankly, it didn’t matter, we had to accept the results and trust God to get us through it. The doctors prescribed antibiotics, steroids, and inhalers as part of our treatment plan. The healing process was different for each of us. My husband has this incredible faith and knew we were going to be ok. I, on the other hand, was concerned because I didn’t know how bad it was going to get. |
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About 2-days after getting diagnosed, my husband posted a video on social media telling everyone we had COVID. I was livid! I felt like we were going to be judged and people would look at us as if we didn’t follow the rules, when in fact we did. I realized we didn’t ask for the virus but we had to deal with it regardless of anyone’s opinions. Frankly, that should have been the last thing I was concerned about because my symptoms had started to get worse. One morning I woke up with a high fever, difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, and just feeling extremely fatigued. That night proved to be one of the scariest for me because while lying in bed, suddenly I couldn’t catch my breath. I felt dizzy and started to panic, but I heard God’s voice tell me to “GET UP” and it was with such authority that I didn’t question Him; I just did it. I felt horrible, but made my way down the stairs to my husband and told him something was wrong. He held me in his arms and told me it was going to be ok. He prayed over me before telling me to go sit down on the couch. I won’t lie and say I immediately felt better, but slowly those alarming symptoms faded away.
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"I had to believe that my journey was not done and He still had purpose for my life."
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It took a second dose of both the antibiotics and steroids before we began to feel our bodies recovering. During this time, I trusted God like never before. I found myself spending more time with Him, praying, meditating, worshipping, and actually silencing everything so I could hear Him speak. He had already told me, “This sickness will not lead to death.” and I knew His promises have never failed. God reassured me that I could release everything to Him. I had to believe that my journey was not done and He still had purpose for my life.
I’m sure there are some who may read this and wonder, Why you? Why did you live and my loved one died? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that I have prayed for you, though I don’t even know you. I lost friends and loved ones too and the pain is unimaginable. God had a plan because only He could take what’s meant to harm us and turn it around for our good.
I’m sure there are some who may read this and wonder, Why you? Why did you live and my loved one died? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that I have prayed for you, though I don’t even know you. I lost friends and loved ones too and the pain is unimaginable. God had a plan because only He could take what’s meant to harm us and turn it around for our good.
If I had to share three things I learned from having COVID, it would be these:
1. TRUST GOD –Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” In spite of what you’re going through, you must trust God. Find peace in His Word. If you don’t have the strength to read, listen to it. There are so many online podcasts and audible plans available. Most importantly, don’t forget there is power in prayer. You don’t have to come up with some elaborate prayer…that’s not a requirement from God. Prayer is simply a conversation between you and God but remember it must be a two-way conversation. You get to speak, but you also need to listen. (ONLINE BIBLE)
2. TAKE CARE OF YOU – I cannot stress this enough. My husband credits him still being alive because he had began a consistent exercise regimen. Together, we have decided to take care of our bodies by eating better, exercising more, reducing stress, and learning to relax. As for me, I’m not where I need to be yet, but I’m grateful to still be on my journey.
3. SHARE YOUR STORY –Someone needs to hear how you made it through what they may be experiencing. They need to know there is life on the other side. I’m sharing my story because I want to help someone else know they can survive COVID. I believe “Every one has a story to tell.” So tell yours and help someone else. Sharing our stories gives others hope.
1. TRUST GOD –Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” In spite of what you’re going through, you must trust God. Find peace in His Word. If you don’t have the strength to read, listen to it. There are so many online podcasts and audible plans available. Most importantly, don’t forget there is power in prayer. You don’t have to come up with some elaborate prayer…that’s not a requirement from God. Prayer is simply a conversation between you and God but remember it must be a two-way conversation. You get to speak, but you also need to listen. (ONLINE BIBLE)
2. TAKE CARE OF YOU – I cannot stress this enough. My husband credits him still being alive because he had began a consistent exercise regimen. Together, we have decided to take care of our bodies by eating better, exercising more, reducing stress, and learning to relax. As for me, I’m not where I need to be yet, but I’m grateful to still be on my journey.
3. SHARE YOUR STORY –Someone needs to hear how you made it through what they may be experiencing. They need to know there is life on the other side. I’m sharing my story because I want to help someone else know they can survive COVID. I believe “Every one has a story to tell.” So tell yours and help someone else. Sharing our stories gives others hope.
If you or someone you know has COVID, below are some tips a friend shared with us that really helped during our recovery:
✔ Keep moving
✔ Lie flat on your stomach... not your back
✔ Elderberries 3x/day
✔ Oscillococcinum FLU (not cold & sinus)
✔ Gargle with peroxide and really gargle a couple of times a day
✔ Change pillowcases EVERY DAY
✔ Boil Toothbrushes EVERY DAY-- no recycling viruses
✔ Take DEEP, DEEP breaths to ward off pneumonia from settling in
✔ Keep taking deep breaths
✔ "Rest" ONLY between moving and deep breathing
* Continue to follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it relates to safety measures. If you’re eligible for the vaccine, get it.
Live blessed because you are blessed!
Diane Wilkes Tribitt
✔ Keep moving
✔ Lie flat on your stomach... not your back
✔ Elderberries 3x/day
✔ Oscillococcinum FLU (not cold & sinus)
✔ Gargle with peroxide and really gargle a couple of times a day
✔ Change pillowcases EVERY DAY
✔ Boil Toothbrushes EVERY DAY-- no recycling viruses
✔ Take DEEP, DEEP breaths to ward off pneumonia from settling in
✔ Keep taking deep breaths
✔ "Rest" ONLY between moving and deep breathing
* Continue to follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it relates to safety measures. If you’re eligible for the vaccine, get it.
Live blessed because you are blessed!
Diane Wilkes Tribitt
About the Author:
Diane Wilkes Tribitt is the Founder of D’Lyric Inspired, LLC, birthed from her own personal journey of finding forgiveness and healing from the wounds of her past. She is a survivor of domestic, emotional, and sexual abuse. Diane inspires and encourages others through books, music, stage plays, and advocating. Under D’Lyric, Diane began the “InHER Beauty™ Campaign” focused on building healthy self-esteem in young girls and women. In 2015, she produced her first stage play “Girls Night Out - A Twist of Faith” and in 2017 she produced her second stage play “Matters of the Heart”. Both productions focus on real life situations and received notable recognition.
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Diane is also the Founder of the Houston Vitiligo Awareness Movement (HVAM), developed in 2016 to provide support to individuals and their families who are living with Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder that causes a loss of pigment (color) typically in patches on a person’s skin. Diane was diagnosed with Vitiligo at the age of 9-years old. Vitiligo affects about 1% of the world’s population with no regard to age, ethnicity, or gender.
Diane was a featured model for award-winning fashion photographer, Rick Guidotti, for his “Body as a Work of Art: More Than Skin Deep”. She was also a model for celebrity photographer, Ferrell Phelps, for his “The Skin You’re In” exhibit. Diane is a Family Advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association. She also released her first book in December 2019, “My Journey To Just Be Me: Moments of Reflection With The ONE I Love” which is available via Amazon. Diane holds a Bachelors degree in Business and Marketing. She is married to Bass Player & Producer, Patrick Tribitt. They have 6 adult children & 10 grandchildren. To connect with Diane: www.dlyricinspired@gmail.com www.houstonvitiligoawareness.com Social Media: @dlyricinspired |
Headshot photo courtesy of Diane Wilkes Tribitt
Stock photos: Anshu A, Unsplash; Mufid Majnun, Unsplash; iStockphoto
Stock photos: Anshu A, Unsplash; Mufid Majnun, Unsplash; iStockphoto
EDITOR'S NOTE: Although a vaccine for COVID-19 is being administered around the country and the world, the COVID-19 virus still remains a communicable disease. Please continue to social distance where appropriate, wear a mask, and wash your hands to slow the spread. For more information on the COVID-19 virus visit https://www.cdc.gov. To get information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html.
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