Story: Living with long COVID for five years - I made an EP about it and found purpose

Assalamu alaikum. Five years ago, in May 2020, I caught Covid in the first wave. I thought I’d recover quickly - I was 27 and in the best shape of my life. Instead, I developed ME/CFS, a long-term illness that upended everything. For almost a year I didn’t understand what was going on. I kept forcing myself through the fatigue like a normal recovery, but with ME that only makes things worse. Before long I couldn’t work anymore. My wife has been my rock. She took care of so much and supported me through the hardest days. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without her. I tried so many things - medical treatments, supplements, diet changes, anything that might help. The one thing that’s truly helped a bit has been pacing: managing my activity so I don’t crash as often. It’s slowed the decline, at least. On the good days I’d pick up my guitar and play. It wasn’t much, but it brightened the day and gave me a little purpose. Eventually I decided that if making music is what I can still do, I should commit to it. I found two talented musicians online, started a band, and I even took singing lessons (carefully, to avoid setbacks). Working slowly and steadily, two years later we had music I’m proud of. We released an EP last month and played a small gig. It might seem small to some, but to me it felt like a huge victory over an illness that takes so much. If you like rock (think Nirvana/Weezer/RHCP) you might enjoy our songs. They’re personal, so if they speak to you it would mean a lot if you gave them a listen. We hope to release more tracks in the coming months. I can’t get out to promote things the way I used to, so every like, share, or follow from friends and family really helps and means a lot. We’re called The DayDreams and our EP is Dopamine Dreams. It’s on the usual streaming services. If you’d like to follow our journey, that support would be amazing. This illness is harsh. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep doing this, but even if things get harder I’m proud I made something meaningful. May Allah grant ease to everyone struggling - life can be really tough, so I’m trying to hold on to the small joys and inspiration wherever I find them. Wishing you all strength and healing. Thanks for reading!