Called FRONTLINERS, that is exactly where doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers are situated during our present crisis.
Never thought in my lifetime that all of a sudden our worlds will be turned upside down by a virus. I have heard a lot of people randomly asking each other the question: "Have you ever thought six months ago that THIS thing would happen to us?". And it is our present reality, not a single clue that just like that ... our reality will be altered temporarily.
These past few days have been really crazy especially if you like tuning in to the news. You can even have a 24/7 coverage of the Coronavirus and the same headlines come up from every single corner of the world: the number of people infected by CoViD-19, and the number of death. On the other side of these news feeds are those essential workers facing the virus right in their faces, exposed right down to their very soul but still giving their time, effort, skill and energy to save mankind. These essential workers comprise mainly of doctors and nurses and all those who work in the healthcare. There are also those in the sidelines- the police, hospital maintenance and housekeeping, truck drivers, government officials, those who work in the food and pharmaceuticals, those who were called to work in their factories to make hand sanitizers, masks, face shields and even ventilators.
I am a nurse myself, no longer working in the acute side, but I can see and feel for my brothers and sisters that are out there risking their own lives for the lives of many. We are shocked by updates on the news when numbers are shown by the thousands and tens of thousands infected by the Coronavirus and a few more thousands dying from it.
The critical time for America is NOW! The whole world is also on its verge of collapsing economy. We have to help our essential health workers (that includes all of us in direct contact with patients whether acute or not) to control the spread of this virus and therefore stop the infection and hopefully the staggering number of deaths.
I am not sure if you are into social media, the outpouring of love for our health workers and front liners, most of all, is just outstanding. Thank you for all the love you are sending our way. In the background I have many friends and colleagues currently exposed to this deadly CoViD-19 trying to do what they do best. Their emotions and feelings are very raw and vulnerable. I wanted to share with you some of those words written and spoken; anecdotal in remembrance of those health workers who died in the front lines; and even eulogies spoken by friends and families in their very somber and private funeral. Some of them outside the US are just known as "Patient XXX".
I broke down a few minutes ago. I couldn’t help it anymore. My level of anxiety has gone up to a level that is uncontrollable and uncomfortable. I’ve felt that I’ve been carrying something heavy for quite some time now. I was talking to my boyfriend an hour ago via video call when I started crying. I always update him about work and how my anxiety is starting to consume me. I’ve felt the weight of carrying a big responsibility of being a nurse constantly showing up to work especially at this time.
I told him that I even practice social distancing at home. I don’t play with my younger brother anymore. I even told my younger brother not to go near me or to avoid going to my room. When my younger brother asked me why, all I could say to him was “Ate is protecting you.” It broke my heart. I found myself in tears after my younger brother left my room. I miss him already. I don’t even eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with my family anymore. I just get own my own food and eat alone in my room. I even use plastic utensils and paper plate now.
My mom heard me sobbing in my room. She opened the door and talked to me. She knows exactly how I feel since she is an ICU nurse. She told me that it is a “war zone” now at her work. My mom asked me why I was crying. Tears started flowing again. I told her that I’m scared. There are a lot of things that I’m scared of.
I’m not sure until when will I be able to go home. Will I still be able to see them? Will I still be able to do the things that I planned years from now? Until when would I be able to breathe using my own lungs? What are the other extra precautions that I can take to avoid getting sick?
My mom and I both cried. It is our reality now. She told me that at this time; we just have to pray harder, take good care of ourselves, have presence of mind and do the best that we can. She told me that she can’t hug me since she was also exposed. I just want this to be over. I want to hug them and be with them. I just want everything to go back to normal. I haven’t felt “normal” for a long time now.
---- A Registered Nurse from New York
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and church mates of Dr. Israel Bactol who had been in the frontline in the battle against COVID19. Dr. Bactol is a son of Pastor Romy and Deaconess Cely Bactol of the IEMELIF Church, an NCCP member church. The Bactol family are leaders in Penaranda IEMELIF Church in Nueva Ecija. Dr. IB, as he is fondly called, was 34 years old. He was a bright and dedicated student and he graduated on a scholarship. He finished college and medical school at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. As a pastor’s kid, Dr. B has accompanied his parents to the congregations that their Bishop has assigned them. Church members attest to his helpful presence and support to the congregations where his parents were assigned. We mourn his untimely demise, and accord him the honor that befits a martyr. We can only imagine the number of lives he could have made better with his talent and dedication. His body was cremated and the ashes were brought to their home in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. We also mourn the lives of other frontliners like Dr. Greg Macasaet, Dr. Rose Pulido and Dr. Raul Diaz Jara, and we offer this prayer to them and other doctors, nurses and medical staff who are doing their best to contain this pandemic.
Same with stories from nurses all over the world. Here in New Jersey is a nurse who started nurses like her to share and tell their "Coronavirus Stories" through a google portal she created. SO far she has received about 1,253 respondents from all over the US sharing their bravest and scariest moments being a nurse in the war front. Sonja, our New Jersey nurse, called a Google document entitled "CoViD-19: Mission for Masks" and encouraged other nurses like her fighting Coronavirus in the frontline to release and unload their frustrations, fears, feelings and complaints in a very confidential way as they do not need to put their NAMES on their answers.
Here are some very vivid pictures from the stories shared by nurses and doctors from the frontline in Italy, which was particularly hit hard just very recently. This article shows the reality inside the battle field- bruised nursed and doctors; collapsed team member due to exhaustion; huddled together to console and emotionally support each other.
It is quite sad to read this article as they are mostly complaints (about the hospitals and encounters with other healthcare workers with them). Some of the nurses do not even get to go home to their families for days on or the doctors for weeks as going home would endanger their own loved ones and families. Just so sad what we are going through but with GOD's providence and His great love, we will be able to pull through with this ... and stronger!
And just now as I am finishing this to share it with the world I saw an old colleague from England post a eulogy for one of our Care of the Elderly Consultants that passed away caring for CoViD-19 patients. I have worked with Dr. Saadu and have argued many times with him regarding discharge planning, but he is a disciplined man, a passionate doctor and always in service of the sick and the vulnerable. Dr. Saadu, working part time, apparently came back from retirement to answer the call of his revered profession to help out fight this outbreak in England. Unfortunately becoming infected himself, he succumbed to this virus fighting to save others until the very day he couldn't fight it anymore. He was dearly loved not just in England but in Africa where he did a lot of charitable work. At the age of 68, he will be sorely missed and well remembered by every single person he encountered and that's including me! Goodbye Dr. Alfa Saadu. To read more about this story, click HERE.
Are you a healthcare worker? Are you fighting this pandemic in the frontline? Do you have your own Coronavirus Story? Maybe you want to try and share it through Sonja's survey or if you are brave enough you can comment down below and share it to the world. All our stories, testimonies and frustrations can be a source of encouragement for others and further improvement in our world of medicine in the very near future.
Do not forget to thank an essential worker in your own town whenever you see one, they do so much more than they are signed in for.
To end this I would like to share this video with you THANKING all our healthcare workers putting their own lives at risk to keep you and me safe, so let us do our part and "STAY HOME".
Life is rapidly changing before our eyes. The healthcare system was overwhelmed and will need time to get back into its natural rhythm. Our lives will never be the same again. There are a lot to think about, a lot needed to be changed and a bleak future for our health if nothing is done now. We can all pitch in, we are all part of the solution for this problem called Coronavirus Pandemic. Together, we can fight this.
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