Dominique de Cock
Leaves & Light
Video
2 min 05 sec
2021
Testimony of Q. H, Internist/Gastroenterologist in a hospital in Newark NJ.
“When the Covid pandemic hit us, we first felt overwhelmed. We were overwhelmed by the patients that flooded into hospital, we were overwhelmed how rapidly our resources were depleted, and we were overwhelmed by the intensity of work required to take care of Covid patients. We stretched to work longer shifts with much greater patient loads while coping with a scarcity of protective equipment.
Along with that, we were shocked by the rapid deterioration of covid patients. We had patients, young and old, who may have been talking to us with difficulty one shift but who left us forever by the next shift. We were shocked by the vulnerability of human beings in front of virus, and our fellow nurses and doctors were not spared. We lived in fear of the risk of exposure and the uncertainty of recycled protective gear!
When my colleague was infected, I felt desperate, and we searched for any intervention that might stabilize the situation. We begged for enrollment into a then-therapeutic trial, we prayed for him every day, and we gathered all the consults we could across various specialties in search for help.
My colleague passed away on Memorial Day in 2020, after more than one month on a ventilator . I was in disbelief and hopeless; a strong, energetic, tireless colleague had succumbed to this evil virus. I questioned my ability as a physician, and I doubted the value of my life. It was an agonizing pain to think of the good old days we had just a month ago, and now he was gone forever.
I met with our coworkers for support and encouragement, and we gathered to remember him and offer support to his surviving family members.
As in war, we had to regrouped, when the first row fell, the second row move up to continue the fight. As this is only option available for us.
We were delighted to know that we were not alone and we felt blessed with the outpouring of support from our communities. With this show of unity, we are keeping the courage to prevail and put this pandemic behind, though with a heavy price.“