KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Santa Clarita resident and KHTS Owner Carl Goldman is now on day 33 of his coronavirus COVID-19 quarantine in Nebraska, after the Diamond Princess cruise ship virus outbreak.
Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 33 (Sunday)
The grim reaper reappeared. He was my doctor with yet another Post-it Note… Still positive, yikes! The coronavirus, COVID-19, seems to like my body.
As Nancy Starczyk shared with me, “That’s one more positive test out of the way.”
The Post-it was positive in my nasal passages, negative in my throat. It was a good sign.
This latest yellow Post-it meant Nebraska Medicine was resupplied. As one of the highest-priority hospitals in the universe, they quickly switched back to their standard yellow Post-it. I only had to deal with one orange.
Someone will fund a study on which color Post-it causes the best positive reaction for patients when handed the results of their coronavirus test. The CDC is betting on yellow. I suspect black, with white writing, would cause the most concern.
Now I get to wait until Tuesday for my next test. I need to go three days in a row with negative tests to be allowed to return home.
I spent a few minutes cheering up my doctor. He appreciated it. My cough has almost disappeared. It’s another good sign. Other than my cough, I’ve had absolutely no other symptoms since my original high spike of fever when flying back to the states from Tokyo.
A few readers are confused on how long I’ve had the virus. I first tested positive on February 15. Those results didn’t catch up with me until after many days in the bio-containment unit at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. My wife, Jeri, and I, along with our friends, Mark and Jerri Jorgensen, left on our vacation on January 17. We enjoyed a wonderful cruise through Southeast Asia until our final day.
I will not have this virus forever. I am just a slow shredder. My Guillain-Barre syndrome may be slowing down my recovery.
My Guillain-Barre syndrome first hit my nervous system in mid-November. My hands and feet are numb. In mid-December, I was treated at UCLA. It put my GBS (Guillain-Barre) in check but I was not cured. My GBS flared up two times since, traveling a little further up my arms and legs. It seems to move a few inches, then remains unmoving for weeks. It has never gotten better.
I created confusion in my last journal entry. The treatment used to cure GBS is a series of antibodies injected to fight it. While GBS is an anti-immune disease, the antibodies are kind of like getting chemotherapy, further compromising my already challenged immune system as my body battles the novel coronavirus.
Our daily town hall meeting continues. They are a terrific morale 
booster. We speak with CDC officials, doctors, nurses and a psychologist. We’ve become a virtual meeting tribe, muting our phones until it’s our turn to share. Our original group of patients has diminished from 15 to seven. The seven of us have been here since February 17. My wife was among the eight who have returned home. Today another patient joined us, bringing our total to eight quarantined in Omaha.
My laundry came back today. I turn it in every time I am down to my final outfit. I only have three, the one I wore on the plane, a spare I had packed in my carry-on and a new set purchased by my Nebraska medical team when they tired of me wearing Michigan gear. I now proudly wear my red Huskers t-shirt. My wife had all my other clothes in our suitcases. Jeri and my clothes are patiently waiting for me in Santa Clarita, California.
I’m scheduled to be interviewed by GQ magazine tomorrow. Funny, I am hardly in the top 100 best-dressed men. I wouldn’t even be in the running if GQ narrowed down the criteria to my small neighborhood street in Santa Clarita. In fact, if my wife, Jeri, didn’t guide me through my clothing purchases, I’d still be wearing tie-dye and bell-bottoms.
Yesterday I watched a news clip of women fighting in a store in Australia over the last roll of toilet paper. I could understand if they were fighting over baby formula or the last remaining issue of GQ magazine, but toilet paper?
The CDC is now advising non-professionals to not wear a mask. Their studies are showing we are constantly adjusting our masks, touching our head and face in the process. Makes sense. Let’s leave the masks to the medical professionals and save ours for next Halloween.
There’s a lot of talk Vitamin C infusions can assist in combating the coronavirus, COVID-19. Early in my stay in my bio-containment unit at Nebraska Medicine, I asked if I could receive it. The answer was no. They didn’t want to mess with anything that wasn’t proven. Giving me gallons of Gatorade was fine, but Vitamin C, no way. I’ll ask again today.
Readers are still wondering about my current symptoms. I have none other than still testing positive. The virus is still in my body, but even my prolonged dry cough has almost been eliminated. I will not be stuck in Omaha for a lifetime with the virus. My slow shedding will continue. I may end up with the longest-lasting corona virus, COVID-19, in the universe. However, I will soon be a free man, way before the results of the Iowa caucus are finalized.
My wife is a rock star. She’s handling everything on her own. We have a large support group. The haters on our social media have dwindled. Jeri is adjusting, still laying low, and other than going to work, she’s avoiding public places. Here’s her Facebook post.
As I close my eyes for the night, I debate my GQ outfit for tomorrow’s interview. Do I go with my yellow, blue and gray Michigan sweatshirt or my red Huskers shirt?? Decisions, decisions.
Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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Stay strong, Carl. Get home soon. Love and prayers to you.
Miss your posts! Are you still sheltering in place like the rest of us? Do they know if you can get it again? I’m sure you don’t want to find out! Cindy
Hi Carl, Do ask about the vitamin C infusions. They are used as alternative treatment to cure cancer. I know of several people who were helped by those. Also, when you get out you may want to check Whole Food Plant Based Diet. Not an easy switchover but it can really help with autoimmune diseases among all other health issues. Since you have some extra time on your hands, check out Dr. Greger’s site https://nutritionfacts.org/
I won’t bore you with my story, but I am an example of someone who was helped with this way of eating. Prayers continue for your recovery
Dr. Greger is not onboard with Vit-C infusions for cancer treatments.
I’m so glad the virus seems to be moving on from you, albeit slowly. I’m enjoying your posts, but will manage to find other reading. Cannot understand how or why anyone has treated you or your wife unkindly, but I hope that both of you get through this and life soon returns to normal. XO
Boy Carl, even incarcerated criminals get an hour a day out on the exercise yard for some fresh air! Seems to me, and I don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, that being confined to a room is not conducive to a quick recovery. Do they clean/disinfect the room regularly and do they pump in fresh air or recycle the air in the room? I think I read in one of your posts that you cannot have the window open. Fingers crossed for the double negatives yellow Post-It Note Wednesday!
Thanks for sharing your experience for all of us. Is it true you can’t even open your window to get some fresh air?
Hoping you get to go home soon!!!
Interested to find out which outfit you chose! I’m betting it was the Nebraska t-shirt given the good care and friendly people you have met in Omaha. Thanks for continuing to post as it helps ‘normalize’ what the virus will be like for a lot of us. We are supposed to travel to Europe in April and have already been told that if we go we will be banished for 2 weeks from work when we get back. Seems reasonable given we have the ability to work from home. 2 weeks at home doesn’t sound bad but how do you not go crazy from boredom in your room?
Question for you Carl: have they given you a chest x-ray to see if there has been any fibrosis? I’m not sure if everyone gets it or only those who progress to pneumonia. Keep the faith, you’ll hopefully be released soon.
Carl, I don’t know if you only get to eat what they bring you, but since you had an Omaha steak, I think you should eat the other quintessential Nebraska food–a runza! I’m originally from Nebraska and I recommend it highly! I am cheering for you!
Wishing for your continued recovery.
One thought I had regarding your spike on fever that first night on the plane. Is it possible that you were extremely dehydrated and that contributed to the high fever? All that time on the bus and then a long flight- I know that fluids held keep fever down – and I’m wondering since you never had a high fever again – if that was a contributing factor… Just a thought. We are all trying to make sense of this virus. All the Best!!!!
I’m wondering why you have to test negative before you are released. Today I heard a news report that once you have the virus and no symptoms for 72 hours you can resume normal activity. I think that is ridiculous of course. I just wonder why other cases are treated differently than yours. Let’s face it not every case in America will be tested over and over, right?
Dear Jeri and Carl, We are so sorry you have had such a terrible time with this virus We are glad Jeri is home, but still restrained. I hope Carl will be home soon. We are praying for both of you to get through this nightmare soon. Our best thoughts and wishes for you, Judy and Elliott Wolfe
Carl love the updates, praying for you and hang in there. Your posts are funny and informative. So sorry you and your wife are going through this but strangely enough your updates give perspective to what this really is. Let’s share the Gatorade and get through this.
I am very impressed that you have such a positive approach to all of this. Yes, each of us are blessed.
Glad your friends are stepping up to help you out. My Son signed me up for home delivery from Ralphs
which is an excellent back up to have food with out going out… Continued good wishes and prayers for Carls
healing and safe return…
Love watching the updates-keeping you all in my prayers. The 4 of you-Carl, Jeri, Jerri, and Mark are so positive -it’s really inspiring! Hope Mark and Carl receive a packet of negative test results soon!!
Carl!!! You crack me up. Love you so much! You’ll be home soon. , if not we will send all your stuff there so you can be comfortable this year lol ?
Some people will do anything to get an interview w GQ?? Really hope you get a series of double negatives and come home. I have to tell you…I knew it was bound to happen…someone has come up w designer masks. Oy vey.
I hope you recover soon Carl and Mark. Thanks for your posts.
Love, Tiny
Just wanted to send my Best Wishes to you from New Jersey. I’ve been following you, your wife, Mark, and Jerri since this started. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I look to your articles and everyone’s postings for news over the regular media.
Stand tall and proud my friend, sharing this journey has given true insight into the life of a Covid-19 patient and I am certain is/will help others who are in self isolation or quarantine. Now we just need to get this thing out of you!! Could it be that the world is enjoying your blog entries so much that someone has bribed the medical staff to continue to come back with positive tests? In a world full of conspiracy theories that’s not the wildest one…..
Joking aside, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to you. Pretty sure I’d have gone stir crazy on day one on the ship. Humans have an uncanny ability to adapt and you are most certainly proving that.
Ignore the negativity – that comes from those who are insecure, scared or just plain bad people.
Stay strong and wish you nothing but the best
And hope your husband Has a speedy recovery and God bless you guys??
I feel for both of you being without the one you love is hard. Especially since you (Carl) are isolated!! Keep strong and beat this stuff I know you can. Love Kathy Sturkey
Thank you so much for blogging about your unfortunate adventure. I look forward to your posts everyday and have shared your page with many people. When you get out of the hospital you should keep blogging. I admire your sense of humor and enjoy your personality. I am crossing my fingers your next tests will be negative! With all of your connections and luck maybe you could request that you get a Stanford test expedited over to compare the results. Wishing you the best from Utah.
Fellow GBS survivor here (diagnosed 9/23/19 after Coxsackie virus). Lots of people in the GBS online groups are very nervous right now about what this virus could with our immune systems, different therapies and after receiving IVIG. My county in NY has just a few people of people under precautionary quarantine, but it’s rearing it’s ugly head here too. Just sending you some good vibes and positive wishes for continued progress and recovery!
Very much appreciate your updates and your perspective.
Hey buddy! Stay strong and keep that positive attitude of yours. All the best on the next test.
Carl,
I understand volunteering for studies and such, but you can’t allow yor situation to be like a prisoner and be denied something as simple as orange juice. That’s not right, especially if they aren’t even given you any kind of med to help eliminate the virus. OJ is always my go to priority for any kind of cold and flu like bugs.
vitamin c is key to combating illness. ascorbic acid. get some!!!
Carl,
Keep hanging in there. We watched your interview on the Today Show this AM. Of course, it was interrupted by our governor in WA state giving us an update on COVID-19 here. So happy we have a governor who is proactive with all the experts in the state helping. Anyway, we finished your interview this evening. Here’s to negative tests!
This is for Jeri…
I was very touched by your friends supporting you. As independent as you are, you are giving others a gift when you allow them to help you. In turn, it helps you also.
Keep Persevering!
If they rejected your request for vitamin C, they SHOULD officially give you a SIGNED paper stating they DENIED that.
This is what Andrew Saul says. Ask for the PAPER or make them GIVE you IV vitamin C.
it’s your health, claim it, stand strong.
much love
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n10.shtml
Hi Carl- hope things are well!
I am also a GBS survivor that was of the Miller-Fisher strain that basically shuts down all of your internal organs requiring drug induced coma and life support. Lungs being a big issue I know I will always be high risk for many things that I would not wish upon anyone…all I know is no flu shot for me and listen to the NO FEAR Mantra will always be in my head…even if I need to dig deep to find it daily! Be well and thanks for sharing as there is definitely not enough GBS horror stories out there❤️??
Carl were you ever given one of the asthma breathalizers??