Before vaccines were available, every member of a Kansas family got COVID-19. Nearly eight months later, they're still battling the virus and say their lives will never be the same."I thought that because we were a pretty healthy family, that we would handle it pretty well," Amy Diediker said.The Diediker family of five had no idea what was coming. In January, one by one, each contracted COVID-19 and they all got very sick."Every day, it felt like, which fire is the one I need to put out today? Because it felt like there were three or four every day," Diediker said.The symptoms varied. Diediker said she had chest pain and shortness of breath. For 17 days, her husband Ryan was so weak he could barely walk. But she said the worst case, by far, was 10-year-old Vivien."When you're seeing your child in that much pain and with symptoms that severe and the doctors are telling you, 'There's nothing we can do,'" Diediker said. "It was the most hopeless I have ever felt as a parent."The Diedikers are an athletic family. Amy Diediker is an exercise instructor. But she, Vivien, and her son, Owen, are now categorized as COVID-19 long haulers. They still have symptoms — and doctors have very few answers.They're all vaccinated now, even young Vivien, who received special-use permission for the vaccine because she's now considered high risk. Diediker said that she gets emotional about people choosing not to get vaccinated."I wish people could come spend a day, seeing what happened to our lives, seeing all the doctors' appointments that we juggle," she said. "I had a positive test, and seven and a half months later, we are still trying to pick up the pieces. So please, please take the time to go get vaccinated."Diediker also urges people to abide by mask mandates. She said she believes her family contracted the virus after attending a small family gathering without masking. Diediker said it is a decision she will always regret.
Before vaccines were available, every member of a Kansas family got COVID-19.
Nearly eight months later, they're still battling the virus and say their lives will never be the same.
"I thought that because we were a pretty healthy family, that we would handle it pretty well," Amy Diediker said.
The Diediker family of five had no idea what was coming. In January, one by one, each contracted COVID-19 and they all got very sick.
"Every day, it felt like, which fire is the one I need to put out today? Because it felt like there were three or four every day," Diediker said.
The symptoms varied. Diediker said she had chest pain and shortness of breath. For 17 days, her husband Ryan was so weak he could barely walk. But she said the worst case, by far, was 10-year-old Vivien.
"When you're seeing your child in that much pain and with symptoms that severe and the doctors are telling you, 'There's nothing we can do,'" Diediker said. "It was the most hopeless I have ever felt as a parent."
The Diedikers are an athletic family. Amy Diediker is an exercise instructor. But she, Vivien, and her son, Owen, are now categorized as COVID-19 long haulers. They still have symptoms — and doctors have very few answers.
They're all vaccinated now, even young Vivien, who received special-use permission for the vaccine because she's now considered high risk. Diediker said that she gets emotional about people choosing not to get vaccinated.
"I wish people could come spend a day, seeing what happened to our lives, seeing all the doctors' appointments that we juggle," she said. "I had a positive test, and seven and a half months later, we are still trying to pick up the pieces. So please, please take the time to go get vaccinated."
Diediker also urges people to abide by mask mandates. She said she believes her family contracted the virus after attending a small family gathering without masking. Diediker said it is a decision she will always regret.
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