We have many frontline health workers in our church family. We wanted to reach out to see how they're doing and hopefully in hearing their stories we can gain more understanding and empathy with what they have to face each day. Meet Lily!
1. Hi there! Could you introduce yourself and let us know what you do for work?
Hello! I’m Lily, and I’m a Registered Nurse (RN). I jump between a few different roles at work, but currently split my time between Health Link/811 (specifically on their Covid Response Team), as well as the Day Medicine Clinic, and the Day Surgery Unit at the Foothills Medical Center.
2. How has the pandemic and covid affected your work?
As you can imagine, it’s hard to answer this question because it has been so dynamic since this whole thing began back in 2019 and there have been so many changes to our work and to an extent the nature of our work. In general though, and even prior to the pandemic, the units I’ve been a part of, were already understaffed and under pressure, with a combination of budget cuts, and ever-increasing patient loads in the name of efficiency - with COVID this pressure has magnified exponentially, which has caused so much undue stress on everyone involved in the healthcare system - nurses, doctors, patients, supports staff, and all their families.
As a nurse, my goal and training were to help people to heal, recover and to feel at their best again, but given the current situation, it’s been so difficult to accomplish that. While my colleagues and I still try our best, our constantly changing systems/protocols for patient care, lack of staffing, and fear of getting ill ourselves mean we no longer have the same level of time, energy, and if I’m honest, even empathy to provide the level of care we would like.
3. How has the covid pandemic affected your personal life/family/mental health?
I think most frontline workers will relate, but this whole experience has certainly impacted all aspects of our lives. As an example, at the beginning of the pandemic, my units lacked any sort of PPE (personal protective equipment) including basic things we take for granted now, like masks or eye protection, which caused me and my colleagues significant stress. Given the unknown (at the time) impacts of Covid, and the extent of transmissibility, I isolated myself from my husband and my young son (who was 1.5y/o at the time), and moved out into my sister’s vacant apartment for the first few months hoping to protect them from the worst. I know I wasn’t alone in that aspect. Of course, now, looking back, I can say that was likely not necessary, but I remember the stress and anxiety this caused all of us.
More recently, I would just say that I just remember fondly before the pandemic, that when I ended my shift, I did not have to worry about what the next day would bring. However, since the pandemic started, I cannot say the same. Given the ever changing nature of my work, every night I have to worry about what the morning will bring, read up on any new protocols or guidelines, and watch updates from AHS and the government so we can be prepared for the tasks ahead. While ultimately I am grateful to be working and hopefully making a difference, it’s very draining.
4. What have you learned from your experiences of the pandemic over the past two years and how has this affected your faith?
While I was a fairly introverted person prior to the pandemic, I can certainly say, I have learned to lean on family, friends, and community so much more as the pandemic continued. I still struggle with my walk with Christ given all that is occurring around me, but I am constantly reminded and see Christ working all around me, despite my struggles, through the love shown to me through others. I feel he’s been guiding my path throughout.
5. What is something that has sustained you and/or encouraged you over the past 2 years?
As above, given all the isolation and distancing has kept us from one another, it’s been a reminder for me to cherish the time I have with my family and friends, and to be thankful to God that throughout this pandemic, this community he has blessed me with, has sustained me. I am reminded of the verse from 1 John 4:12, which states that although no one has seen God, if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. I feel that.
6. With all the changes that have happened to your family during the pandemic, what is one change you’d like to carry with you into post-pandemic life?
Following the theme mentioned above, I often took for granted the times I spent with my husband, my son, extended family, and friends, but given the pandemic, this has certainly given me a different perspective. I cherish every moment I have with them, and I hope I can always remember when I couldn’t see them, and to not take it for granted again.
7. How can we pray for you?
That I can continue to draw strength, wisdom, and courage from God for the challenges we collectively face, and to be reminded that he is our source of hope, especially when times get tough.
8. What are some practical ways we can show our frontline workers we care?
This is tough to answer. Oftentimes we are lumped together as these remarkable heroes that should be admired, but really we are just normal imperfect people trying to do the best we can. While appreciated, I don’t necessarily need a donut, coffee, or care package. What I can say is, I long for a day where I don’t have to worry about how I will get through the day, or if I can provide the necessary care for people, with adequate resources, who are experiencing the worst times in their lives at the hospital. From there, I’d say, is to learn about our society and be aware of how certain policies driven by certain ideologies, can directly impact your health care workers, our society, and ultimately your care directly. So if you care, be engaged, vote, advocate! (I laugh, but people who know us well may say this was from my husband, but this is my own thought!)
9. The floor is yours. Is there anything else you want to say?
I think I’ve said more than enough! Thank you for this opportunity to share my perspective, thank you to all my fellow frontline workers, and those who support us. I hope it provides a glimpse into our world.