#23. May 9, 2020 at 8:46 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Las Palmas

My mom is going through chemotherapy. I’m terrified for her. I’m scared she’ll get sick in the hospital. I’m scared my entire family is going to die since we are all immunocompromised. I want things to go back to normal.

Comments on this post:
#1. May 9, 2020 at 9:56 pm: Anonymous – Verified One.Surgery user Be brave, we will get through this somehow!!
#2. May 12, 2020 at 11:32 am: Uchenna Emenogu – Verified One.Surgery user Kind regards to you and your family. We may not fully understand the hard times you’re facing but one thing we do know for sure is that if you remain strong and courageous as you’ve been this long, you’ll scale through these challenges. You’ll be fine.

#22. May 9, 2020 at 8:42 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] –

Since the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, my life remains the same. For work (which is deemed essential so I’m still doing it) I drive out to remote areas hike several miles to check on monitoring stations and wells. My wife always worked from home. We have for a while used delivery services for groceries and food, so we rarely ventured out of the house except for work. On a good week I’ll have personal interactions with 5 other people beside my wife, but there are many weeks when that number will be closer to zero.
I feel awful when I see how Covid 19 has effected others

#21. May 9, 2020 at 8:04 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Nashville (7)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

I work in a hospital and I regularly visit the covid floors. I see so many people struggling to live. The intubated patients aren’t so bad, though you can hear them gargle every once in a while even with suction it’s the conscious patients I pity you can hear the coughing from the nurses station even with all the doors closed. One coughed so hard he actually tore holes in his lungs, its hard to not cry thinking about these people they haven’t seen their families in weeks. Alone and scared drowned or suffocated by their own bodies. Its horrific to see people as young as 30 struggling to breathe.

Comments on this post:

#1. May 9, 2020 at 8:18 pm: Saqib – Verified One.Surgery user Although a doctor myself, I have not actually been on an ITU covid floor, but many of my friends, similar to your post describe very sad scenes indeed. The most heart-wrenching aspect for me seems to be that people are taking their last breaths on their own, with their loved ones not allowed near, in isolation or sick themselves. I am not sure how I could cope with that, in any of the positions – as the patient, as the primary carer in ITU, or a loved one who can’t get near. I hope you are coping through this and you find moments away from the covid floor for much needed rest.

#20. May 9, 2020 at 7:46 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Kara[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Cleveland

In Late January my husband (35) left for work in Santa Cruz California. The kids and I stayed behind because of school. I was going to fly out and see him a couple of weeks later until I started hearing about COVID-19.

In mid February he called me to let me know he was quite sick with the flu. My uncle (57) who was hosting him was also quite ill. Both rarely get sick. The worst of it lasted a few days and started to get better. Probably the flu.

Here in Ohio one of my nieces became very sick when I went to help get her on the bus. She had a sore throat and fever and generally felt unwell. Her 3 sisters followed soon after. The oldest (10) went to the doctor and had a negative flu and strep test. She had some minor breathing discomfort but just stayed home and rested for about 9 days. A few days after her doctors apt their 3 cats all had to be vetted. They had pneumonia!
Next up my son (13) had a low fever and sore throat but it only lasted a few days and was mild so I didn’t take him to be seen.

My brother who lives with me (33) was sent home from work coughing so much and generally unwell. He went to stat care when he started coughing small amounts of blood and getting dizzy. He wasn’t tested but given antibiotics and told it was probably bronchitis. He is still mildly coughing to this day.

Next up my daughter, (14) starts to get a sore throat and developed a fever. Her eyes were red and sore. We went to stat care and they tested for flu and strep. Negative. She was sent home and told it was some other virus and to get plenty of liquids. The next day I was not feeling too well. My chest felt heavy but I did not cough much. My throat hurt and I had a headache. My temperature was elevated but not high. 99.8 degrees. That same night my daughter broke out into a rash that appeared to be hives and her lips were swelling. I took her to the ER. They did an X-ray and it showed she had atypical pneumonia. She was prescribed a zpak and prednisone and we were sent home. She developed more stomach issues and pain. She said her chest felt weird and painful. We figured it was the steroids and waited to see if it stopped after she was done. It did 2 days after her last dose.
I continued to feel awful for a few days, we never thought it could be corona at the time but a few days later corona was all over the news. I was worried we could spread if we had it so on March 10th I went to the grocery store. This is my last time being in public to this day. I wore a mask and went at 7 am when they opened and used the self checkout. This is the day Ohio would start testing people for corona. It was confirmed in my county.
Back in California my husband was doing work for a couple who was friends of my uncle he was staying with. They recently travelled abroad ( Europe) and then to Las Vegas before returning home to Santa Cruz. The wife was sick but nothing too major. My uncle fell ill 6 days later. He couldn’t get out of bed for 3 days. On the forth day he felt a little better and said his goodbyes to my husband as he headed home. I was worried he may catch corona and bring it home either from The couple, my uncle, or driving cross country. I also worried maybe we had it and could give it to him. I cleaned and sanitized my bedroom, threw some snacks, drinks, and his Xbox in the bedroom where we would isolate from each other for 2 weeks after he arrived home.
He got here on March 19th and we had 0 contact. He used his own bathroom etc. on March 21st he spiked a fever and had stomach issues a headache and his body was sore. He had sinus pressure the whole 9. We had an online medical appointment. He was never tested but presumed positive. Luckily his illness was only really severe for 3 days before he started to feel better.
My daughter and I still get somewhat sick feeling to this day. My son has a small cough in the mornings mostly. My husband is doing ok as well. None of us were able to get tested. We will be getting the antibody test soon to see if this is what any of us had.

Comments on this post:
#1. May 9, 2020 at 8:07 pm: Saqib Noor – Verified One.Surgery user Dear Kara, I am so sorry – I can’t imagine the stresses you must have been through, especially with your husband unwell on the other side of the country. It is strange isn’t it, the number of people describing severe covid like illnesses even prior to the official media hit the panic buttons and lockdown began. And we all will never know who had it and who didn’t, until a robust and sensitive antibody test comes up that can confirm even mild exposure. Who knows whether such a test will tell us all we need to know. Ultimately, however, reading your story, I am glad it seems everyone has made or is making recoveries. I hope you and your close family can now consider yourselves as one family unit again, gosh we have all been in quarantine so long,I feel we all our just one family unit! Keep getting better Kara!
#2. May 12, 2020 at 11:56 pm: Uchenna Emenogu – Verified One.Surgery user Dear Kara, You’ve really been strong and very resilient, I must say, in wading through all of these storms unscathed. I salute your courage and strength. 💪 Rest assured, in all of these, we stand by you and yours and hope things get back to normal soon

#19. May 9, 2020 at 7:43 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Warwickshire

I work within a small team, at a well known retail park.
Since Covid 19 hit our country my job role has changed dramatically, only two of our 20+
retail outlets are open.
Crime has all become a distant memory here.
I come to work to hit electric tags to show I’m patrolling an empty park.
I felt confident that within our little team we can weather this pandemic, however the prospect of opening stores worries me.
As our company is going off government guidelines that face masks are not needed and that they wouldn’t be supplying them!!!!
when the government opens the floodgates and 1000’s of people swam to our popular park keeping social distancing is going to become a problem.
I’m worried

Comments on this post:

#1. May 9, 2020 at 7:52 pm: Saqib Noor – Verified One.Surgery user Hi, thanks for reaching out. It’s definitely a strange feeling for a lot of us.. things have gotten quieter, and in some ways easier, more manageable. It must be odd to feel that whilst in the midst of the pandemic, all is calm… yet I think for a lot of professions and jobs, this is ironically the calm before the storm.. because when thing open up again, and there’s a mad baying crowd, other disasters maybe waiting! And not even potentially covid related. Lets hope your retail park opens slowly, with crowd management and social distancing keeps everyone safe. We will find a way through this, although I’m sure there will be come hiccups along the way!

#18. May 7, 2020 at 7:36 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] –

I gave myself some time for reflection today and decided to write some thoughts down. I hope it’s ok to share them here.

Here I am working alone
A NHS nurse shielded at home.
I feel guilty for my colleagues on the frontline,
I miss my team, my structure, my distinct home / work lines.

My children are desperate for social interaction
I feel guilty when they become a distraction
And guilty because mummy
Should play, bake and be funny.

My mum is alone and i hear in her voice
An enforced isolation made without choice.
Her birthday on a day the nation is celebrating
A victory, that came with a cost
A price again we are sadly facing.

I speak to parents in who’s voices I hear
Anxiety, desperation and fear.
I help them with all the resources I have
And hope by the end I may hear them laugh.

I am a NHS nurse in our 200th year
Who would of thought we would find ourselves here?

I am a Health Visitor striving to give families support
Find solutions to problems
And remotely give a shoulder
And time.. to pause

I’m a mother, a wife, a daughter
A wearer of so many different hats
Sometimes it’s hard to balance all that

I am a NHS nurse and I’ll give all I’ve got
I am a NHS nurse our strength never stops
I am a NHS nurse and in that I take pride
I am a NHS nurse and I CAN take this in my stride.

Keep going everyone, we can get through this x

#17. May 5, 2020 at 5:39 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Saqib Noor[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Verified One.Surgery user (5)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

It’s really heartening to see the numbers slowly fall throughout the world. I used to check in on the world graphs and charts a few times a day but over the last week I have stopped paying as much attention. The figures certainly are declining, which means I think we are getting through the worst of it. But like a tornado that riots through a town, I wonder what destruction remains at the end? What pieces will be left to pick up and what can never be rebuilt?

I miss football far more than I thought I would…

#16. May 1, 2020 at 9:40 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Maryam Ali Khan[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Verified One.Surgery user (9)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

I stare at the screen. The numbers keep rising. But I feel numb.
Inside my home, I am waking, eating, drinking like every other day with the same work and deadlines as before.
I feel disconnected to the reality of what lives outside but I still can’t stop myself from checking the news every few minutes. Anxiously checking up on social media to see how my extended family and friends are doing. Praying that all my friends in healthcare remain safe as they battle this disease day and night putting their lives on the line without knowing when and how this will end. Knowing that this can hit closer to home any day, I fear for those around me.
But this is just one aspect. I haven’t stepped out of my house in over 40 days. But I know I am lucky. Lucky to be healthy and with my family. If I need something, I have the luxury to order it online and have it delivered to my doorstep. I am privileged. I can afford to work from home and have the luxury of savings that can last me a few months. I am grateful for what I have but I also feel guilty. Guilty because I know some people have nothing. No means to put food on the table or no safe home to stay inside. And this daily struggle of gratitude and guilt takes its toll. I feel helpless knowing that I cannot reach everyone, that I cannot make things better.
So what can I do with all these unresolved feelings?! I don’t know. But writing this has made me realize something. This disease has blatantly uncovered the ever-present yet ignored cracks in our societal structure and today more than ever we need to come together.
We need to stand as One, push our apparent differences of aside, and reach the human within. We connect not because of our race or stature, but our humanity. And this disease has made us all face the One thing we always choose to ignore, that above all we are One race – the human race. Nothing else matters.

Comments on this post:
#1. May 2, 2020 at 9:24 am: Saqib Noor – Verified One.Surgery user Dear Maryam, That strange feeling, balancing between dedicating all your time to ensure you and your loved ones are safe, and the enormous guilt of knowing those with less resources are at tremendous risk, is increasingly familiar. I wonder how those below the poverty line are coping, in so many parts of the world, including Pakistan. I feel disconnected from their plight yet simultaneously pre-occupied with just the immediate challenges of coping myself. I am glad you and your family are safe, and I hope there will be brighter days outside soon for you. We will all be together again 🙂
#2. May 3, 2020 at 5:26 am: Uchenna Emenogu – Verified One.Surgery user It’s beautiful going through your diary, Maryam Many times, we complain about the limitations imposed on us by this pandemic and life in general without considering the bigger and deeper pains faced by others. Reading your diary has heightened my consciousness that despite the fears, pains and limitations I face, I am lucky and should always be grateful for that. Kind regards!

#15. May 1, 2020 at 5:50 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013][if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] –

On a Thursday at 8pm the clapping carries on. I have to admit I struggle to feel inspired, or emotional, or anything other than numb to it now. I’ve been redeployed to work on a ward, in a hospital, that I’d never have chosen to, and for an indefinite period of time. I left my last job on a psychiatric ward as I was just so burned out from it all, and I don’t think I had time to get past that before this all started. As much as I want to do my bit to help, this isn’t an act of charity, it’s just my life, and every aspect of it has been changed beyond my control. At first, I’ll admit, I felt angry at the lack of regard for my own needs – despite objectively knowing that I was the ideal candidate due to lack of other commitments. Now I feel anxious but resigned, as I see I’ve been rostered in for shifts every weekend for the foreseeable future. Living alone, the Saturday night group Zoom chats were the last meaningful remnant of my old social life, and they too have now been taken away. I’m so guilty and conscious that these are ‘first world problems’ I’d never repeat it to my colleagues working so hard on the ward. However, as much as we care and do the very best we can, the truth is that none of us are really motivated to be there each long, draining and quite frankly, often boring shift by our burning desire to help others. While we’re treating Covid positive patients, I’m not there saving their lives, comforting their families, watching them leave grateful for my help. The patients want me there as much as I want to be there. We aren’t putting our lives on the line in some heroic act of bravery – I’m sure it’d feel better if we’d chosen to. We’re going to work every day because what’s the other option? I think if offered furlough on 80% wages I’d jump at the chance. But really, if I refuse to go to work, what will happen to me? Will I lose my job, my professional registration, any future prospects? Would life be worth living then? Sometimes I think ending it might be the only way out. We’ve been offered psychological support in abundance, however, being an RMN I’m now realising how very little it means. If they really want to help, I think, they’ll take my place on the ward and I can sit listening to people like me moan from the comfort of my sofa. Every offer of support, every “check-in” from managers feels like empty words – almost aggressive; they’ll listen, but the bottom line is that their job is just priming me to do what I’m told. I’m sorry that this sounds so self-absorbed and self-pitying, and I promise that in practice or any other professional capacity I am the picture of optimism. But I thought I’d use the anonymous platform share the darker, hidden, selfish feelings I’m sure I’m not the only healthcare practitioner going into work with day after day. I’m putting my life on the line not because I’m some angel, but because I have no other choice.

Comments on this post:
#1. May 1, 2020 at 7:11 pm: Saqib Noor – Verified One.Surgery user Thank you for reaching out with such meaningful and heartfelt words, a lot of what you wrote truly resonated with me. I suspect, many hundreds and thousands of people all over the world, are somewhat under the same cloud of despairing feelings. I entirely agree with you regarding the clapping and the cheering on a Thursday at 8pm. It seems futile in the grand scale of the pandemic that such a national gesture will continuously raise our spirits. It is quite numbing now, I wonder if it may even be having the opposite effect on some of us and it feels empty when the end of the pandemic isn’t clearly visible to any one yet. However, I say this without any doubt or irony, that with the personal sacrifice you described in your post, and the external and internal struggles you are fighting, and the outward show of optimism you are displaying on a daily basis, you truly are deserving of every clap. You certainly deserve a rest, on the sofa, away from the ward and those daily shifts that is grinding you and I am hopeful, with the psychological support you are receiving at work, this should be arranged. You deserve a weekend away from duty, back to Zoom and connected with those you love. Please do not feel guilty, these are not first world problems. We all need connections, we are all human and we all belong here, with each other. Indeed, it was the team at One.Surgery, from every corner of the world, that really wanted to offer an outreach or support to anyone struggling with covid, to know that we are here, all striving together. I am so glad you took the time to write and reach out and they too will be reading your words in solidarity with you. Please do reach out to the support at work, I know they will understand. We have also created a mental health resources link in the tabs above. And we are always here should you want to contact us. We will get through this together with lots of love, please continue to write if it helps, we are always listening.
#2. May 2, 2020 at 11:02 am: Theophilus Barasa, Medical student ) – Nairobi Verified One.Surgery user Every time I wake up, I found myself in the realty that this thing is here and it has been for a while and it is to stay for a little longer. Every morning I mumble a curse as to why it has not been just one long nightmare. It is true what you say and I understand how you feel because every health care worker anywhere in this world is feeling the same. Its weird how most people outside the profession think we are supper humans and that by clapping, they hope to fuel us into doing more. Know that we understand how you feel, and sometimes, sometimes I wish there was a way out of it. that a miracle will just happen so that everything will go back to normalcy and we can be ourselves again. But for one thing, i know it will get better, we just have to hang on a little longer.

#14. May 1, 2020 at 5:49 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Ankit Raj[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – New Delhi

What has the world come to? It’s quite unimaginable how “normal” the life was just until a few weeks back. But now we don’t even know what is a “normal”? Is it being locked up in a house for weeks on end? Or commuting every day on an empty road? Are we even sure that we will be back to The “normal” like it was before?
I am sure when I say it out loud that many of us had a laid out set of plans or things that we had planned on doing in the months just gone by. All of it seem to combust spontaneously into the air. Just reiterating our position as a speck in the vast infinitely endless universe. Maybe it will help us realise that what we thought was normal was not actually normal and nothing ever is.

#13. April 30, 2020 at 11:59 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Tim Hall[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Verified One.Surgery user (6)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

Little did I know just a few months ago on the day of graduation from medical school that I, and indeed the world, would be thrust into such a state of turmoil, unease, and uncertainty. A health system grappling to cope and prepare with an unknown and ever-changing situation. The general public forced into a state of lockdown, isolated within their social “bubble”, unable to see close friends and loved ones, or leave their neighbourhood.
But one only has to take a small step back and evaluate the situation to appreciate that we are very fortunate in this part of the world. A small tiny island nation in the South Pacific, geographically isolated with a low population density. Enforcing restrictions regarding border access and social distancing in public spaces has been reasonably easy and without too many obstacles. And the statistics reinforce that notion with single figures of new cases for the past week or more, coupled with a very low suspicion of community transmission. But of course other countries have not fared as well, and with that a sense of guilt and helplessness rises within me. Why should others experience such suffering while here life slowly returns to normal? Why should healthcare workers have to choose between sacrificing their own health to treat infected patients due to a shortage of PPE or refuse and live with the haunting regret? Why should politicians and policy-makers, directly and indirectly, be given the power to decide who lives and who dies? None of it seems fair.
But just as the storm clouds eventually move away to reveal the sun shining brightly, so too this pandemic will eventually recede into the past. I am optimistic that through the lessons learned from this situation, that a new, more compassionate and empathetic, way of life may flourish. Where egos and selfish economic greed is replaced by peace, health, and an understanding that at the end of the day we are all the same – we are but people brought into this world to love, respect, and cherish one another during our precious time here on earth.

#12. April 30, 2020 at 10:58 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Aliyu Ndajiwo[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – (aliyu@one.surgery) – Verified One.Surgery user (3)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

2020, 2020, 2020. What a year so far! Many people hoped for 2020 to be a great year. Many had plans. Never did we know we had an invisible enemy planning to disrupt our 2020. The invisible enemy had plans to overwhelm our health workers and our health systems in a way we can never ever forget. The invisible enemy planned to take so many lives. The enemy knows no one, doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, doesnt care if you’re the prime minister of a nation or a hard working civil servant. This invisible enemy has shaken nations. It has shown that we humans, no matter our social status or the country we live in, we are all one. We have to work together, and thats the only way this battle would be won, when we work together as one.
Although the invisible enemy has brought out the good in many people, it has brought out heroes who are at the frontline battling to stop it and save lives. The enemy has also brought out the bad in some. Leaders in some countries are using this once in a life time pandemic to divert funds into their pockets, hence paralysing the health system more and leaving frontline workers naked without adequate PPE (weapons) to fight the battle. I’m sure the Covid-19 virus would be surprised that there are more dangerous viruses out there. Our bad leaders who where elected to lead, serve and protect the people, and the ignorant among the population.
Bad leadership and ignorance are two huge visible viruses.. They’re facilitating Covid-19 and making the invisible enemy’s work much easier. In times like this, science should be at the fore front. We can’t let politicians play politics with people’s lives. We can’t let the ignorant infect us too. We can’t let them win.

Covid-19 has also locked down the world. The lockdown definitely is a good measure to flatten the curve. It has made some people closer to their families. It has made some people more productive working at home, it indeed has also affected people in many ways, good and also bad. In some countries, there are those that are only able to feed themselves and their family only by going out to work. Each day that one person doesnt go out, many would be left with no food. Perhaps hunger would even kill some people faster than Covid-19. Indeed this pandemic is a test to the human race in all facets. I hope we learn from it.

#11. April 30, 2020 at 10:31 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Saqib Noor[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Verified One.Surgery user (4)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

#9. April 30, 2020 at 7:45 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Prachi Patel[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Verified One.Surgery user (4)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

Day 56 ? of the lockdown….

A dilemma of a doctor who is many oceans far from her home and dying to help the people of her country but couldn’t. Being rejected by the ones where she could truly help save a life but wouldn’t! The world is fighting the battle against this pandemic where she is fighting against her mind. People are counting hundreds and thousands a day where she is counting minutes and hours. The world is in inevitable chaos and so is her mind!
How could she make her efforts meaningful in this battle?
What if we didn’t have technologies to feel closer to the loved ones?
Are we going to win this battle or is this just the beginning?

Then one Sunday morning,
A call with a bunch of people across the continents for the first time who are just passionate to make this world a better place, felt more like a home in many days!
Are we really becoming a global village or is it just a delusion?

But, thinking about all the friends, colleagues and doctors who are battling at the frontline, feeling really proud and hoping that all is going to be okay!

We are going to win this battle and so, is she!

Comments on this post:
#1. April 30, 2020 at 7:57 am: Saqib Noor, Consultant – Verified One.Surgery user Dear Prachi, you arent alone , either in your country or in your own mind. Those back home care for you and love you and I’m sure they feel your presence with them. By staying safe, you are helping them too. And you arent alone in your mind, the One Surgery team is jogging and racing with you. Let’s hope a better world will come of it!
#2. April 30, 2020 at 8:41 am: Uchenna Emenogu – Verified One.Surgery user Dear Patel, You’re definitely not alone in this fight, our hearts are with you. Your family cares about you. Your friends care about. We appreciate the many sacrifices you make in rescuing our world. We may never understand the battles you fight and struggles you face each passing day. One thing we want you to know for sure is that you are our HERO…our CHAMPION. We love you and we will continue to. Please, stay strong and safe for the many who love and wish you well. You’ll be fine. We’ll overcome.
#3. April 30, 2020 at 6:28 pm: Prachi Patel, Other – Verified One.Surgery user Thank you Saqib and Uche for your kind words.I really appreciate it. Yes, we’ll overcome it and hopefully the world will be a better place. 😊

#7. April 29, 2020 at 10:25 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Florence Van Belleghem[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – (florencevb@gmail.com) –

Dear reader,

One thing I’ve realised the past few days, is how quickly everything changes.
I’m doing things, handling difficult situations I didn’t think possible only a few weeks ago. Furthermore I’m often performing these tasks without giving it a second thought.

The change within myself isn’t the only thing I’m talking about. Overnight, our whole country changed from being a busy country, buzzing with life to a silent nation in lockdown. But at the same time it’s truly astonishing how quickly people adapt to a new situation. A change of lifestyle, no one could even imagine just a couple of weeks ago, has become the new normal. Yes of course it was strange in the beginning, but life goes on. Big changes yet with less impact on me than I expected.

However I also find the opposite to be true: small changes having a major impact on me. A doctor telling a colleague how he’s already signed more obituaries in a month then he can remember; A hearse turning on the roundabout; These are things that immediately have an impact on you. I can’t really describe the downhearted feelings that they cause. At the same time, I also can’t really explain what it feels like to hear a recovering patient joke around, or to see the twinkling eyes behind the mask of the nurse helping him.

No, we don’t know what tomorrow brings, but change is coming

Love always

Comments on this post:
#1. April 30, 2020 at 12:37 am: Uchenna Emenogu – Verified One.Surgery user There’s a bright light down this dark tunnel. Regardless of the burnouts and emotional tolls, always take courage and do all you can to preserve your smiles. Always know that you are our MVP. You’ll be fine
#2. April 30, 2020 at 5:46 am: Saqib Noor, Consultant – Verified One.Surgery user Thank you for this Florence. I too find the obituaries difficult, especially reading about the many sad stories of healthcare workers succumbing to the disease.
#3. April 30, 2020 at 8:59 am: Mohamed Kahna, Surgical trainee ) – Zaghouan Verified One.Surgery user I really loved these words because of the deep meanings they hold. These times are very important in our lives, it is what motivates us to learn and thus to change Thank you for this Florence, we’ll be fine

#6. April 29, 2020 at 6:58 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Uchenna Emenogu[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Lagos

You can only imagine the emotional toll faced by frontline healthcare workers in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic.

We’ve never experienced something like this. Neither were we prepared for this in medical school.

Battles are fought each day. Loved ones are lost each day. Helpless patients are each day surrendered to the gruesome hands of death. As we watch them pass on, we stand by and hope we could help them.

Not just that, we are faced with fears for our own lives and those of our friends, foes, families and colleagues.

All in all, we shall overcome.
Take courage, victory is near.

#4. April 29, 2020 at 9:52 am: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Theophilus Barasa[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – Nairobi Verified One.Surgery user (4)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

People talk a lot about what it means to be a member of a team; the bonds that never end, the sense of belonging to something greater than yourself. It’s about fighting together, but it’s also about family, about knowing that we are there for each other. The one. surgery team, health care workers all over the world and any other united groups are these teams and together form one large team that is sure to win this war against COVID-19. Because, when many work as one, there is infinite power that nothing can overcome.

#1. April 24, 2020 at 12:15 pm: [if 1013 equals=”Anonymous”]Anonymous[/if 1013]Emenogu Uchenna[if 1025], [1025][/if 1025] – (emenogu.uchenna@gmail.com) – Lagos (5)
[if 1080][1080]
[/if 1080]

It is beautiful to be beautiful. It is more beautiful to remain so. I do what I love and I love what I do.

Day after day, the true essence of life and living plays out right before my very before.
Day after day, living for myself becomes less appealing; living for our collective good- the collective good of the world- becomes my sacred mantra!!!

Well, in a bid to saving the bigger world, I sometimes ignorantly ignore little things that matter- family, friends, you. And yes, me.

I constantly remind myself that saving the world truly begins by saving my world….yes, my little world.

Family and loved ones should not suffer because I’m obsessed with saving the world. My friends should not feel bottled-out because dude wants to save the world.
They are my world!

This is the new me and this new me has come to stay. Stay Safe.

Add your comment on this diary post:

Covid-19 Worldwide Data and ChartsCovid-19 Surgical ResourcesCovid-19 Support Diaries