My First COVID Positive Patient

Towards the beginning of the pandemic when we felt the calm before the storm and the nation was still learning about what this disease could do, when healthcare workers were rationing PPE and separating from our families to answer the call of duty yet keep our loved ones safe, is when I had my first COVID positive patient. While this patient struggled to breathe and their face showed fear, they were able to laugh and joke with me as I got to know them. I heard about a family from out of town, their business, and their hobbies. As they continued to get worse in front of my eyes, I did my best to comfort and reassure them even though I had no idea what they were up against. I took them to their ICU bed and went about my shift. When I left that evening, I saw their business van in the ED parking lot.

I saw that van for the next 2+ weeks as I came and went to and from work. It put so much fear and sadness into me seeing it day after day not knowing what they were going through or if they were even still alive. One day, it was gone. It made me wonder, "did they get better?", "did they have family come get it?", and worst of all, "did they die?". Jump forward to a year and a half later, I saw them in our ED again, in a much better condition. I could tell they had a huge smile on their face, despite the mask, as they met my eyes. I told them how much it meant to me to see them again and to know they recovered! We don't always get that resolve as ED nurses but, after this fight, I was reminded why I am there.

-Samantha Priest, BSN, RN, CEN