Vaccine joy for Larbert minister who feared she would die after contracting COVID

Rev Julie Rennick, 61, said it was quick and painless – and urged everyone offered the vaccine to get it.

The Larbert West Parish Church minister, and her husband, Alastair who also had the virus last year, got their jags at Forth Valley College which is being used as a NHS vaccination centre.

Mrs Rennick said: "When I got the virus in April last year it completely floored me and was a terrifying experience.

“I had a really high temperature, pain in every one of my joints and it felt like there was a wet sponge in my nose that I had to breathe through.

“Every breath was just a horrible gasping, and, at one point, I thought I would have to write a letter to my three adult sons because I did not know if I could ever speak to them again.

“That was terrifying - a real dark night of the soul moment.”

Mrs Rennick said she later developed “long Covid” and had to scale back her work duties.

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“Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, post viral fatigue, call it what you like, it is utterly debilitating,” she added.

“For short amounts of time I was able to act like a ‘normal’ person but the payback comes in a wave of overwhelming fatigue that will wash over me, threatening to drown me.

“At its worst, I struggled to climb the stairs to even get to my bed.”

Mrs Rennick, who continued to record online services for her congregation, said the only bonus was it allowed time for quiet reflection.

“Time to talk with God, time to pause and simply be,” she explained.

“I am aware of God's presence alongside me waiting for me to regroup, no pressure just love and presence.

“So COVID-19 can be horrendous for people and it is imperative that we stop the spread once and for all.

“The jag was painless and straightforward and I would encourage people to get one to protect themselves and everyone else from this horrible virus.”

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