This Too Shall Pass
Gentle clouds
Apple blossoms
Bird warbles
It should be so easy
Warm house
Close family
Plentiful food
It should be so easy
But reassuring thoughts are fleeting.
Novel virus
Not knowing
Job loss
It is so easy
No masks
Uncertainty
No cure
It is so easy
For bleak thoughts to invade.
Deep breaths
Good books
Neighborhood walks
I will try
Friend calls
Nutritious food
Consistent sleep
I will try
Because this too shall pass.
This was what I was thinking when I woke up this morning. Unlike my mother did, I do not generally write poetry. She would be so happy that I tried. And she would, also, tell me to share it with others. So in honor of National Poetry Month, there you have it.
I love it, L and L!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Strayer. I just woke up with a couple of phrases in my head that lead to this. The poem pretty much sums up the constant dialog in my mind.
DeleteLovely poem and so appropriate for right now. But, you are right - this too shall pass, because nothing stays the same, everything changes. Happy Easter to you and yours. May you all be safe and well.
ReplyDeleteAs you have educated me, one of the important teachings of Buddism is that nothing is permanent. That's something we all need to remember.
DeleteHope you have a great weekend however you choose to spend it.
Thanks for sharing. I think we're all feeling vulnerable right now.
ReplyDeleteI went to work today for the first time in a month. I was initially nervous--lots of new procedures to minimize the chance of infection and it's a lot to wrap my brain around. However, once I got through the screening procedures at the front entrance and got to my department, things felt a lot more normal. I know there are hospitals where things are chaotic, but at ours, the mood was cautious but optimistic. The rules regarding productivity with seeing patients have been relaxed and we are encouraged to spend extra time with them. The patients appreciate the extra time and conversation--I don't think they realize what a treat it was for me, as well. Kinda helps me regain perspective and get "out of my own head".
It must have felt good to get out of the house, have some different interactions, and feel satisfaction that you were helping others. I'm sure the patients and all of their families were very thankful that you were there to help. Do you feel like the safety procedures are good at your hospital? What is your schedule like? How often do you go in?
DeleteI am"resource" staff which is a prn position. Normally I would work about 2 days a week. Since we started getting covid patients, the health system has been using core staff, for the most part. They have been redeploying some staff, especially those who work in outpatient care, as most non-essential treatments have been put on hold for now. Yesterday was the first day I have worked in a month. I've been impressed with the planning that has gone into preparing for covid. PPE is limited but that's true everywhere. We fill out a survey on our phones prior to our shift, are sent in through a cordoned path, show our ID and survey as we enter, are given a mask and storage bag to wear all day except when we eat, clean our hands with sanitizer upon entry, and follow a designated path marked on the floor to promote social distancing. Lots of procedures for patient care which are new. My caseload was light which was nice, as the patients can't have visitors and welcome conversation with staff. We haven't surged yet so my work frequency is a mystery now.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping your hospital never surges. I would assume that most of the patients you are dealing with non-COVID patients. Is that right? Besides your skills as an OT, I bet the pleasant conversation did a lot of good towards their progress.
DeleteMy son has another case at his work, so now they do health screenings and take everyone's temp before they can start work. They have masks for everyone to wear, but it is not required yet. Most are wearing them, but a few still aren't. Much of the work that they do there can be done with social distancing, but not all. But my son said that he is doing okay with it.
Thanks to you and all others who out there on the frontlines. I appreciate the sacrifices you are making.
I didn't have any covid patients on my caseload yesterday. Some of the therapists are seeing them. Therapy involvement has varied since this began--partly due to the very limited amount of PPE and wanting minimal staff to deal with patients, and partly due to the ever-evolving nature of this. This past week our rehab department has started a covid patient revolving assignment to try to distribute the work fairly and still have minimal therapists exposed. I don't know if I will see them, at least not in early days, as I think they will try to keep core staff involved with them at first.
DeleteI feel like people like your son are more on the front lines--hospital employees are more likely to follow infection control protocols and at least we have a good idea of who is infected and can take precautions. That's not true for so many essential workers out there. My involvement has been very minimal. Kudos to those doing the hard work day in and day out.