KUCHING, Feb 8 (Sin Chew Daily) — "This is my second chance to live. I do not wish to repeat this again," says Zhang Hui Yun.

A COVID-19 survivor, Hui Yun was unconscious for 17 days. She finally won the battle against the virus, but not her younger sister.

Hui Yun was warded in a hospital for five weeks and was unconscious at the intensive care unit for 17 days.

After her recovery, she had to start all over again – learning to walk and how to feed herself.

This happened eight months ago but her physical conditions have since deteriorated despite having recovered from the coronavirus infection. She was exhausted most of the time.

Hui Yun told Sin Chew Daily how much she treasured life being able to live again.

She and her younger sister Hui Xian both tested positive for COVID-19 early last April.

Prior to that, she had the history of suffering from gastroesophageal reflux and thought she was having a relapse until she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

She had no idea how she had contracted COVID-19.

"I did not know what happened in the hospital as I almost lost my memory. The virus seemed to have erased it!" she said.

Her family members later told her she was at the ICU for three weeks and was unconscious for 17 days.

She had to rely on a ventilator and feeding tube without any family member by her side, taken care of by the medical staff.

Hui Yun also did not know that her younger sister passed away during her stay at the intensive care unit.

She was later moved to the normal ward after her conditions improved. Unfortunately she no longer knew how to eat herself. Drinking water was also difficult for her.

The coronavirus struck her with many side effects.

After her recovery, she learned how to walk again.

Hui Yun used to have long straight hair but she experienced severe hair loss especially when she took her shower. 

She is exhausted most of the time, even walking up the stairs.

Recovering without the support of family members in hospital, Hui Yun said she used to hold the hands of medical staff not letting them leave her room as she was helpless.