COVID-19 Long Hauler on the Road to Recovery After Vaccination

After being tested for COVID-19 in April 2020, “long hauler” Darryl Porter is recovering from the side effects after getting vaccinated last week Wednesday.

“Long Hauler” refers to a person who is free from the COVID-19 virus to still have lingering side effects.

Porter suffered from fatigue since being free of COVID-19 in August. After a week of his vaccination, he got tired the following day and slept for roughly 15 hours. He noticed that he gradually is having more energy after his long nap.

“Every day is getting a little bit better,” said Porter. “You take a few steps forward, maybe a step back but you’re gaining more steps than you’re losing.”

Darryl Porter being administered his first of two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. Photo Courtesy of Darryl Porter.

“Darryl couldn’t even walk down the street,” remarked Susan Dunkley, Porter’s wife. “He’s walking three to four kilometres a day but he’s not quite ready to run a marathon.”

Porter believes he contracted the virus on Mar. 19, 2020 as one of the earliest cases for Peterborough but tested negative from Peterborough Public Health. He was officially diagnosed positive in mid-April of 2020 and is unsure where he contracted COVID-19.

“I had the sweats, a fever, a horrible cough, the shakes, aches and pains,” said Porter. “All my joints were aching and really bad stomach cramps. Not so much a sore throat. I had sinus stuff which I’m still dealing with as mine was more sinus.”

Porter was quarantined to his attic while he tested positive. Photo Courtesy of Darryl Porter.

Porter was tested a number of times and received his first negative in August. He tested positive again on the following test but got back-to-back negatives afterwards. Porter remained cautious and wanted to ensure he was free from the virus.

“I got tested a number of times and I believe it was August when I finally got my first negative,” said Porter.” “I was pretty excited. I went back in to get tested and I wanted to make sure that there were no faults.”

Porter warns the community that life does not immediately return to normal after the vaccination.

“It can’t be that way until it’s fully under control,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who are not believers in getting the shot and I don’t understand that. I will always have my mask on and I will kind of keep my distance.”

Porter and Dunkley are planning to get their second vaccination when it is ready to be administered to the public.

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