‘I can’t imagine being any worse’: Saskatoon hairstylist describes experience with ‘mild’ case of COVID-19

A hairstylist teacher in Saskatoon who tested positive for COVID-19 wants to warn everyone just how serious the virus is.

Camey Hryhor said she was doing her best to isolate, only travelling from home to work and back again. But she ended up testing positive for the disease on March 31.

When Hryhor spoke with 650 CKOM on Wednesday, she said she was on day 13 of isolation, having started a few days prior to her positive test.

She said she is considered as a “mild case” of the disease, but it’s unlike anything she’s ever experienced.

“I have had 14 surgeries. I have had two children. And honestly, my mild case (of COVID-19), I would do any of those over. I can’t imagine being any worse than I was. I feel lucky and grateful for my situation, but it’s been awful,” she said.

“It’s just the mental side of it, along with the physical side of it. It’s very scary. People just need to stay home.”

Hryhor said she became sick well after her workplace, MC College, had closed to the public.

She noticed a headache and was told she had come into contact with someone also exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The two were tested, both coming back positive for the virus.

She hadn’t come into contact with any clients or students from the school after the point she believes she was infected.

While her case was considered mild by health professionals, Hryhor said it’s been one of the worst illnesses she’s ever experienced.

“I have had no fever, and no respiratory (problems) at all,” she said.

“(I’ve had a) severe headache, and complete exhaustion. I can’t even explain it. It is literally like I have been hit by a truck.”

Hryhor has been isolated from her husband and two sons, who all tested negative for COVID-19 after she tested positive.

“I’m a severe germaphobe, thank God. Because clearly I did a good job of washing my hands and keeping my family negative, but that isn’t the case in a lot of homes,” she said.

She said the help of those working at 811 and the healthcare sector has been great, and they are taking care of her and the disease.

“Public Health and disease control actually checks in on me daily. They monitor my symptoms over the phone. So I take my temperature twice a day, and I monitor my symptoms twice a day,” she said.

Day 13 has been a big one for Hryhor, explaining that she feels like she’s turned a corner in her recovery.

“I feel human (today). Today was a way better day than yesterday. So I hope tomorrow is an even better day, she said. “My body is tired from fighting.”

Hryhor has to be symptom-free for 48 hours before she’s tested to see if she has recovered and shed the virus.

“I pray to God it comes back negative, and I can just snuggle my children.”