Keith Anderson

When I remember way back 2020 and how the deadest disease threatens the life’s of all humans on earth and those of which it took away from us, I feel sad again. Hmm😔. I stood in a COVID patients room while he called all of his children individually to say goodbye as we were prepping to intubate him in an attempt to save his life. While there is no guarantee that it will save him, it is his only option left. I stood there choking back tears as he told his kids how proud of them he was, as he told his best friend what a great friend he had been to him all these years, as he promised his wife that he’d fight so they can make it to their 50 year anniversary in 2022. None of them there at the bedside. No goodbye kiss for his wife. Just a phone call. THIS is what we witness everyday then. This is the emotional weight that is added to our already fatigued bodies and minds. We are more than tired then. We were heart broken. But we continued to Pray for our healthcare professionals treating COVID patients all around the world. I prayed with tears in my eyes that no love ones should be place on a ventilator next.

The patient passed away on the following morning. This gentleman began to cry after he hung up with his wife the other evening and said to the nurse and I, “I’m sorry for being so emotional I know this is just another day on the job for you.” I responded with, “I think you’d be surprised by how fragile we truly are. It never gets any easier.” As a respiratory therapist and orthopedic surgeon, I am exposed to the worst of the COVID cases then. I just hope that this post sheds some perspective for those who may have not truly know what happened behind those close doors. My reasoning for sharing this story was not to push an agenda or start an argument. Just wanted to share a perspective for those who don’t understand what it’s like then.