It is not news that I spent weeks in UVA hospital and rehab, cared for by a plethora of caring nurses and Medical staff with incredible care and love surpassing any expectations I ever could imagine. They all had case loads of 10 to 20 patients on the floor, yet they gave me their time beyond belief, listening to and administering to my needs of the moment. I learned about their lives in those weeks, mostly from the night crew who had more time to talk and share our stories. I will never forget these people.
“A’s story” She left UVA for home at 8AM to join her husband and their two grown children sharing her home and pitched right in to cook, do chores and help care for two grandsons with severe disabilities involving breathing tubes, feeding tubes and more tough stuff and somehow got “enough” sleep to come back to work at night in good spirits providing loving care. She is a Heroin.
“T’s story” He worked the day shift and again devoted long periods of time and care for us, his patients. He went home at 8PM to look after two disabled and elderly family members administering to their needs as he had done all day in the hospital and their 2 youngsters, sharing chores with his wife who also worked in a caretaker role on the night shift. Both heroes for sure.
“M’s” story of Mexican descent and a US Citizen, worked the day shift sending the majority of her paycheck to her family in a poor area in rural Mexico. She cooked for herself and made extra servings to share with nearby relatives and elderly neighbors. She thought of others well beyond her own needs and came to work with a lilt and a smile. Another Heroin.
What more can I say but Brava and Bravo for these generous and loving professionals. Having seen them in action from a receiver position, I made sure to sing their praises by contacting the Head Nurse in charge of the staff and made sure they received their “gold stars of praise” on the bulletin board for all to see. That was all I could do as patients are not allowed to give gifts or money to the staff. I relate here, 3 stories of valor. Multiply these stories by millions of workers country wide, no world wide and try to imagine the scope of endurance, dedication and skill provided to ill people, Covid victims and our lives may pale in light of how they live, serve and survive.