This is a picture of the whiteboard on our fridge this week. We started the whiteboard when trying to problem solve a conflict after couples therapy a few years ago. I need things to be out where I can see them so I don't forget, and my wife wants everything put away. So we compromised with putting things to remember on the whiteboard instead of having piles or pieces of paper lying around. Over the years it's morphed into a place we put notes for each other and appointments so we know what's going on in each others lives. This week seemed so quintessentially of this time with COVID tests, vaccines, and Zoom meetings. We're both vaccinated now and for once in a long time, we both had more than 5 days off in a row, so we decided to get tested and do a small trip to Hawaii. It's really starting to feel like the end now. I know we still have a long way to go but now almost everyone I know has been able to get the first dose and we're all counting down to "hug day" - the two week day after the second vaccine where we can actually hug each other again. It's a hopeful time. I still see the numbers each day in the NYTimes and can't believe how many people are still dying. It's such a surreal feeling when the end seems so close. Hoping this summer the numbers will be double digits and the white board will look a little different. Looking forward to seeing everyone again, but hoping we can preserve some of the good things from this year - slowing down, appreciating things, and checking in and caring about other people.
March 27, 2021
The number of COVID patients in our hospital just keeps increasing. We now have 2 dedicated ICU's to treat them and have opened up rooms in a new tower to take care of non-COVID patients. We are desperate for nurses, as are so many other hospitals. The pace at work is relentless. When thinking of healthcare workers in a hospital, most people don't think of pharmacists, but we are in it just like the nurses and doctors. We get so many calls about critical patients, and there is so much to consider with the COVID patients. It's daunting. We have several code blues (cardiac/respiratory arrest) a day. Some mornings when I go into work, there are several used code carts lined up waiting to be restocked. They make the department feel crowded and claustrophobic. I've had a headache for 3 days now. I'm still dreaming about work. Still not sleeping well. Feeling very weary.
July 31, 2020