Marigold P Corcino
September 2021
Marigold P
Corcino
,
RN
Medical-Surgical
Health Carousel Philippines- Somoso General Hospital, Inc.
Panabo
,
Davao del Norte
Philippines
I only had few minutes left before leaving the room, but my heart struck with compassion as I saw the child very weak and desperate for a mother's touch.
We had a patient lately, an 8-year old female patient who tested positive with the virus and sadly coupled with typhoid fever, pneumonia infection, and electrolyte imbalance. She had a high-grade fever and body desaturation as her symptoms progressed. Immediate transfer to a tertiary hospital and COVID facility was needed for the patient at that time. We tried to contact few facilities that could address the patient's need but the nearest hospital we contacted had placed her 4th in their patient's decking system. The patient is lethargic, exhausted, and depressed. As a nurse on duty that fateful night, I thought I could extend my caring hand to the child. We were advised to only have 15 minutes of exposure to a COVID patient at a time, so what I did, I wore a complete PPE gear and hurriedly gave her needed medications, and obtained her vital signs including oxygen saturation. I only had few minutes left before leaving the room, but my heart struck with compassion as I saw the child very weak and desperate for a mother's touch. I gingerly touched the child's forehead, brushed off her hair a little (just like what mothers do), and say a little prayer for God's favor on the child's life. I left the room sad but felt proud of the little thing I did for the child.
I never regret choosing this profession because, through this job, I get to do things that normal people cannot perform due to the health restrictions and dangers it may bring. This 15-minutes allowed exposure is so precious and cannot be compared to the long hours we used to spend on our patients before the pandemic. It provides a glimpse of comfort and hope to affected individuals knowing that they are being cared for and gives them a greater chance of survival through the medication and other medical support they need at that time. That is indeed the holistic and heroic acts of medical workers like me these days. Early morning the next day, the referring hospital called us up and reported that we could transfer the patient to their hospital anytime that day because they have patients who were also recovered and can be discharged from their facility after proper endorsements. I called the child's parents and told them the good news. They were very happy and repeatedly thank me for that immediate referral and for watching their child on their behalf. Being part of this event in human history is truly rewarding and memorable and I now truly understand what “Together, We Heal As One” means.
I never regret choosing this profession because, through this job, I get to do things that normal people cannot perform due to the health restrictions and dangers it may bring. This 15-minutes allowed exposure is so precious and cannot be compared to the long hours we used to spend on our patients before the pandemic. It provides a glimpse of comfort and hope to affected individuals knowing that they are being cared for and gives them a greater chance of survival through the medication and other medical support they need at that time. That is indeed the holistic and heroic acts of medical workers like me these days. Early morning the next day, the referring hospital called us up and reported that we could transfer the patient to their hospital anytime that day because they have patients who were also recovered and can be discharged from their facility after proper endorsements. I called the child's parents and told them the good news. They were very happy and repeatedly thank me for that immediate referral and for watching their child on their behalf. Being part of this event in human history is truly rewarding and memorable and I now truly understand what “Together, We Heal As One” means.