Every day is another day on the battlefield at the Respiratory Hospital. Many transfers in and out of the wards as staff try to coordinate bed space to save patients who are one time okay and that same time not. Most patients go from okay to critical really quick as their bodies fight for oxygen. This is the harsh reality of Covid-19. We never know the outcome of a patient’s condition.
We try to be okay but no matter what, we do not get used to patient’s dying. Sometimes deep down we expect the death but it hits us like a surprise when it happens. I felt a dark cloud over me when my mom passed away last year because I thought, “she’s my mom, I’m a nurse, I know many doctors so why would she die” but a small piece of me knew yet I remained in denial. I have gotten used to my mom’s physical absence because I feel her spirit and presence with me every time. I started feeling a bit better but with all what’s going on at work it is hard not to feel the same way again.
We are all emotional and feel like we are having a bad day when a patients condition deteriorates. Nurses cry when patients die especially if they had just left the room to return only to find the lifeless body. Just there, unresponsive to external stimuli, peaceful and in a deep sleep. That is tough.
We cannot ponder on the patient’s death because there are other patients who need our help and are dying too but we suffer inside. Sometimes we build such a deep bond with the patient that we feel sad for weeks after their passing. Guess what, we are humans too and we have feelings too.
Constantly being exposed to dead and dying patients can cause us to either become numb, more thankful and appreciative of life and those around us or forever traumatized. Nurses go through so much that the hardship at work causes insomnia, nightmares, bitterness, soreness and depression. Sometimes we just need a break from the job because no matter how much debriefing we do as we vent to friends and family, the scar and trauma remain.
Most days nurses feel helpless on the job because the most we can do is hold a patient’s hand and give some words of encouragement. The patients become our family for the shift as we try to nurture them back to good health and we become their relatives as well. Their confidant, help, listener, motivational speaker and prayer warrior.
I have personally gotten to a really dark place because it is heartbreaking the things I face at work. Who cares? Who has our backs? Who is the shoulder to lean on as we all try to get up?
My eyes were filled with tears and my heart felt warm and smiled as my patient held my hand as we were transferring her to the Intensive Care Unit. I know that she needed the support and I was the only one available to give it to her at the time. That was a special bond and I live for these selfless moments.
Of course seeing six lifeless bodies two days in a row will affect us mentally. I find myself being so sad these days, alone even when I am in a room filled with people and no matter how I try to change my mindset, I feel stuck on how “suckish” work is. I just want to run away. So many obstacles and hurdles, it would make you question everything too. What would the world be like without nurses? Is this chosen career really worth it? Sigh 😓 what am I going to do?
Public announcement: exercise, practice good hygiene and self-care, proper hydration and ventilation and stay indoors as much as you can. Stay safe and follow the stipulated protocols.
Vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to a virus. It is like injecting the live virus inside your body so your body could see how to deal with it and keep some memory cells in storage in case it comes into contact with the virus again.
By the second time around, your body will be more prepared to combat the virus because it had gone through a trial phase of figuring out how to fight it and get rid of it.
Remember that someone could still get a virus that they were vaccinated against if their body does not have sufficient time to provide protection.
Let your eyes see my story
COVID-19?I got vaccinated! I represent Public Health!
I decided to take the COVID-19 vaccine because I am highly exposed to the virus. Since I am a frontline worker, I have been in contact with multiple patients who tested positive for COVID-19.
These patients have to be nursed back to good health so need nursing assessment, individualized care, vital signs assessment, medication, wound care and assistance with performing activities of daily living.
I am ready! Be gentle!
COVID-19 is everywhere! No one knows who is a carrier of the virus. Persons can have the virus and be asymptomatic which means that they are a carrier for the virus but display no signs and symptoms.
Therefore, it is important to treat everyone as though they have tested positive for COVID-19 in an effort to protect yourself and everyone around you.
COVID-19 vaccine and your body
Your body builds immunity to a virus by causing common symptoms such as fever and chills. If you do develop fever after being vaccinated then no need to be alarmed. It is NORMAL and a good sign that your body is developing immunity. Yeyyy!
I am pro-choice but I am also for herb immunity. Herb immunity occurs when a large percentage of the population become immune to an infectious disease to help slow the spread especially to persons who lack immunity.
Herb immunity could lead to eradication of an infectious disease overtime!
Doubts, fears, misconceptions? It is okay
It is okay if you or some persons have doubts and misconceptions about the virus and vaccine. I heard many persons say that they are still monitoring others signs and symptoms before they themselves get vaccinated.
Others postulate that they will get vaccinated later on when there is only one vaccine to be taken, when more research has been done and when a new and more powerful vaccine is developed. Some are not for the vaccine so have rejected taking it completely.
Do a thorough search, read as much as you can about the virus and vaccine or speak to a health care provider with in depth knowledge and accurate information.
Hopefully your doubts, fears, concerns and misconceptions will be allayed.
Come do this with me, we are in this together!
Will I turn to a zombie or chimpanzee?
I have been asked if I felt like I was turning into a zombie or chimpanzee so many times!
Everyone responds differently to the vaccine so you should not use someone else’s experience as your own! Due to our genetic predisposition, body structure, underlying medical issues, age, activity level, gender, mindset and character, our bodies will not respond the same. We are all unique and one of a kind!
I had mild side effects for the first twenty four hours following the vaccine. I got a slight headache, nasal congestion, soreness to the injection site, numbness to the affected arm, knee pain, chills and slight feeling of being “under the weather.” I took two 500 m.g. tab Panadols (Panadol 1g PO) but my headache and joint pain lasted for three days.
My mom’s remedy!
If you are from Saint Lucia then you know what is “fixon!” I used my mom’s common remedy to limit the effects of a common cold. I rubbed my body with fixon- vicks vaporub and shiling oil the night I took the vaccine to limit the chances of feeling like I was getting a fever. That worked for me!
I was unable to sleep or rest on the arm where I took the injection during the night but I slept pretty well.
Stay informed, maintain awareness
Remember to follow safety protocols despite being vaccinated. Still wear your facemask, practice social distancing, ensure constant use of hand sanitizer or hand washing and stay in well ventilated areas.
Vaccination does not prevent you from getting COVID-19.
The first short is to build protection.
Remember to get the second shot. Do not miss the dose! The second shot is given a few weeks after the first shot to build the most protection.
Expectation after vaccination
Signs and symptoms vary from person to person! You might experience pain, swelling and numbness to the injection site.
Fever, chills, headache, tiredness, rash, joint pain and a general feeling of being unwell are all common.
Before vaccination
Keep your analgesics or antihistamines on standby if not contraindicated.
Some persons took Panadol 1g PO before getting vaccinated. It is advised to take medication to reduce your signs and symptoms after you have been vaccinated.
If you do decide to take the medication before vaccination then you might not know how the vaccine would work its normal course, how the medication will impact the viability of the vaccine and the side effects you would have sustained.
That prick was not horrible!
Advice
Wear loose fitted clothing the day you decide to take the vaccine to limit pain and irritation to the injection site.
Drink plenty water to reduce fever and flush your system.
Surround yourself with persons you trust so that you can be cared for in the event you develop severe allergic reactions.
Together let us use the tools available to stop the pandemic so we could go back to a greater form of normalcy at a quicker pace.
Certificate of my accomplishments!Check out my sticker!
Coronavirus is the latest
disease to hit the world unexpectedly and has spread like wild fire. This is a
disease that Public Health Officials were underprepared for and did not see
coming. By now we all know what the disease is, how it spreads and how to
prevent it. But what about coping during the disease outbreak?
The Coronavirus disease
has caused panic and shock globally and has caused a worldwide crisis. The
effects of the Coronavirus disease affects us all one way or the other due to
reductions in the availability of merchandise, food and medical supplies and
other commodities.
Many individuals have
been displaced, many have lost their jobs, have uncertainty of the future, lost
loved ones and have even died. The Coronavirus disease shows that more money
needs to be invested into the health care sector.
Coronavirus disease? What it is, how it spreads…
According to the World
Health Organization (WHO) (2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an
infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most individuals
affected with the disease will develop mild to moderate respiratory illness but
recover without any treatment.
Serious illnesses are
more likely to occur in older individuals and persons with underlying medical
conditions (WHO, 2020).
Transmission of COVID-19
virus can be reduced through constant hand washing or use of alcohol based rub
and not touching your face.
WHO (2020) explained that
COVID-19 virus mainly spreads through discharge from the nose and droplets of
saliva when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms
It generally takes 2-14
days for infected individuals to show symptoms of the virus but symptoms differ
from person-to-person and some may have few to no symptoms.
Symptoms typically mimic
a cold or flu so persons may have a runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough or
become breathless. It is important to self-quarantine by staying indoors and
away from crowds for at least 14 days if showing symptoms.
Practice
It is essential to
practice respiratory etiquette by sneezing or coughing into tissue, properly
dispose of it then washing or sanitizing your hands. If you do not have tissue
at the time, sneeze or cough with a flexed elbow but never directly into your
hands. My preference is to do so inside my shirt, you could also give it a try.
There is no vaccine or
treatment for COVID-19 at this time but human clinical trials have begun.
As of March 28th,
2020 there has been 571, 678 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease and 26,
494 confirmed deaths globally (WHO, 2020).
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
Saint Lucia
Here in Saint Lucia we
have had four confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease as of 28th
March, 2020. Multiple measures have been implemented to help safeguard the
population and prevent and/or reduce the spread of the virus.
Some businesses have
closed following COVID-19 whilst others have shortened their opening times. Many
employees especially in the hotels have been temporarily let go due to
closures. In some other sectors where possible, employees are working from
home.
A curfew has been set for
11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily and no large gatherings of persons more than 10 is
allowed. There has been major event cancellation, school and facility closure,
travel restrictions and quarantine of individuals following the outbreak.
The crisis has led to a
reduced supply of products entering the country which has resulted in
individuals buying more than they need to. False information has swept the
media and there has been racist attacks on Chinese nationals.
Nurses have been subjected to discrimination from the public for fear that the virus will spread since they are at the front line. With the closure of schools, parents have claimed that they are home-bound and have to cope with their kids being at home instead of at school.
Now is the time
Simple strategies can be
done whilst at home to reduce trips to the grocery store. Order from trucking
services if available in your community. Common products such as canned foods,
water, juice, sanitary products and snacks can be preordered and delivered to
your home.
Choose an alternative way
of getting your groceries and only go to the grocery store unless it is a must.
Drink plenty water, get
some fresh air by sitting in your balcony if possible, use an air humidifier
indoors and limit direct interactions with others.
Coping whilst at home!
No need to be bored when indoors.
Pray
Praying helps us remain connected to God, informs God that we need Him and makes us feel more in control of our situation. Praying helps me feel better as it gives me hope and helps me feel less tense.
Spend time with your family
Spending time with your family can serve as a stress reliever, help you get to know them better and help catch up on lost times. Play childhood games such as hide and go seek, dominoes or chess. Why not bake a dish together?!
Exercise
Exercise for me is a way to feel good, relieve the daily struggles of life and to look good. Exercising helps me feel energized and rejuvenated plus it is good to improve blood flow and helps reduce many illnesses.
Boost your immune system
Drink freshly squeezed homemade lemon juice, orange or any fruit or vegetable juice. The natural vitamins will help combat the common cold and flu so you can remain healthy and virus free.
Catch up on sleep
I love to sleep. Sleeping ensures that your body charges and helps keep you relaxed. Sleep sleep and sleep to look younger and feel better.
Clean your house
House chores can be so overwhelming especially if it all have to be done in one day. Having tons of chores to do not only gets you tired but can be tedious. Use this time to split your chores and ensure that you clean your surfaces, sweep the dust from the ceiling and corners, scrub your pans, change the curtains and make your house look new.
Meditate
Take a few seconds for yourself to clear your mind, help identify your purpose and to redirect your thoughts. You will be surprised the good ideas you could come up with.
Read a book
I just read “Envy” by Sandra Brown and boy did I enjoy that novel. The ending had me surprise, excited and wanting more. Ever read Envy, what was your reaction? You can also read my other blogs! Visit https://ourtropicalliving.com/archives/
Learn a skill
Sometimes we put things back and say that we will get to it sometime and one day. Well since you are supposed to remain indoors plus there is a curfew enjoy your new skill.
Groom your pets
This is an opportunity to clean and groom your pets and to show them some affection.
Playing with my kittenCleaning my rabbit
Government verses self-sustain
With the induction of the
Coronavirus disease more has to be done to help individuals get back to a state
of normalcy and financial stability when this blows over. Individuals should
attempt to self-earn where they either utilize their skill to bring a source of
income to the family.
Persons can engage in
barter where products are exchanged or begin to grow quick crops such as herbs
and vegetables for sell. Just remember to be safe, wash or sanitizer your hands
and practice social distancing during the trade-off.
Families have to attempt
to self-sustain themselves as the government would not be able to provide to
the needs of everyone. However, I believe that small acts on the part of the
government can be done to help reduce the burden on families directly affected.
Alleviating monthly tax
charges on salaries, holding back on persons paying for tax returns when they
owe the government and unemployment stipends can be done. Payment of basic yet
essential bills can be reduced for customers or paid off completely by the
government for the economically deprived.
I understand that the
government does face its challenges with trying to stabilize the economy
following the unprecedented, unforeseen economic impact that the virus has posed.
Both the government and employers should be lenient and make the necessary
measures to protect employees.
Healthcare workers, I Thank you!
To the healthcare
workers, where do I begin? Thank you immensely for risking your lives on a
daily basis to provide care to us. Leaving your families at home and going into
the unknown. Not knowing who you will come into contact with, what you would
have to deal with or how traumatizing the job will be.
Being exposed to various
contagious diseases and not knowing if you will make it back home safely or
without contracting a pathogen. Whether you do it wholeheartedly, you do it
nonetheless by improvising with the resources available and whilst most times being
hungry, tired, sick and overworked. As many are let go and sent home to work to
ensure their safety, you are at the front line in the battlefield.
Social distancing does
not apply to you as you work on the battlefield to combat this growing public
health issue. Sometimes you fail the public but you are human too. As the world
continues with this global unrest and as you make continued efforts to reduce
the impact of the virus, I hope your efforts will be recognized and that for
once you will be respected and appreciated.
I hope that when this is
all over persons would not forget your efforts but instead reduce the scrutiny
and verbal and physical abuse. I hope that all healthcare workers in Saint
Lucia debrief and get at least 7 days extended to their vacation as a thank you
for your effort. You are wonderful healthcare workers, keep up the excellent
work!
Note
The joke only ends when the effects of the joke hits home. This is serious so practice proper hygiene, respiratory etiquette and social distancing. Protecting yourself from the virus might just save your life and your family’s life. Save you from mourning the death of a loved one, the turmoil that comes from coping with the sick and the financial hurdle that accompanies health care expense. Be safe!
Take care of you and practice self-care. We should all work to reduce transmission of COVID-19 since this is a team effort approach. Let us all play our part to help reduce this global problem and protect our country.
Reems
Our Tropical Living
Come live and love island
life
Reference
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). Health topics. Coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) situation report- 68. Highlights. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200328-sitrep-68-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=384bc74c_2
