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One of the covid patients in our ICU is incredibly sick, and likely won’t survive.
A thread....
A thread....
A week ago, this person was talking to us. They were kind, and always grateful for the care we provided. Their family was also extremely appreciative and kind, frequently thanking us via the iPad tablet in their room.
But now their face is swollen from lying prone (on their belly), and they’re on about 6 different IV drips to keep them alive/comfortable (or as comfortable as one can be with a breathing tube shoved down their throat).
Covid patients aren’t usually allowed visitors. But last night, we called the family to tell them we weren’t sure the patient would make it through the night. We allowed the patient’s family 15 minutes to look through the glass to say goodbye...just in case.
15 minutes. Through glass. That’s all they got. I could hear the family crying from down the hall in my own patient’s room. It was the kind of crying that only comes from pure misery and desperation. And I felt it. I quietly cried while trying to complete my own tasks.
Over 260,000 people have died from covid. Imagining the countless loved ones left behind breaks my heart. Multiplying what I witnessed last night by 260,000 makes me sick.
Myself and my coworkers are tired. Physically, yes. Of, course. Our jobs are physically demanding, especially with these patients. But we’re also mentally and emotionally tired. This amount of loss and grief is not sustainable.
So please. We’re begging you. I’M begging you. Practice social distancing. Wear a mask. And PLEASE make safe decisions this Thanksgiving. If at all possible, avoid spending it with other households. If not, wear a mask. Protect the ones you love, and those you may never meet.
Protect us healthcare workers. We risk our lives every shift, spending hours in rooms saturated with covid. And all we ask is that people make small sacrifices to reduce the burden on the healthcare system. That’s it. Just care for one another. It’s simple.
