I See You

I didn’t before, but now I do. How many of us take for granted that when our need arises that the nurses and doctors will be there, waiting for us. They don’t have to do it, to put in the long hours, and put their own lives on hold, to save ours. I remember feeling concerned when the weather was bad, wondering what will happen if they can’t get here. How will they care for the patients if they are short staffed? Amazingly enough, even then, they put patients first. They opened up rooms for the staff to sleep, so they would be there no matter what, and they chose to stay. I’ve read posts before that were written by doctors, and nurses, trying to share the weight of their positions, but the words didn’t sink in without having the experience. Spending 24 days in the ICU at IU West, I was able to see first hand a lot of the struggles and routines nurses and doctors go through on a daily basis. I was able to see their faces, and feel their pain when they had to explain to me what was happening. I sat with a doctor, and listened as he tried to tell me my husband most likely wasn’t going to survive, but that he was going to give him the chance, and do everything that he could to save him. I felt the pain in his words, and saw his true genuine desire to help. I felt the gentle pat on my shoulders as he would walk past, hoping he could comfort me in some way, knowing how hard it was. Not only do these amazing people fight for their patients, every minute of the their shift, they also comfort family in a special way. I had nurses who asked to stand and pray over my husband with me, and those who offered a hug on a hard day. Those moments will stick with me always. The hardest part of this to believe, or wrap my head around is this. These days here were the hardest I’ve been through in my life, and these folks choose to come back and relive it over and over again. Each time, not knowing if their patient will survive the ICU. I was truly only here for a short time in comparison, but the live this reality every day. Everyone doesn’t get a happy ending such as ours, but they fight anyway, and hope and pray. On top of that, they do their jobs with passion, and dedication unsurpassed by many occupations. The quality of care that was given in the ICU exceeded any other room we have been in, by doctors and nurses, and all of the staff members. I am forever grateful, and I hope our story gives them hope to continue fighting for us.

The ICU Staff
I see you behind the mask
Isolated from the real world to perform your task
Picking up extra shifts and working a long day
Giving 110% every moment without delay
Relentlessly, and tirelessly giving
Offering comfort and even praying
Always putting patients first
No time to quench your own thirst 
Finding time for me when I am scared
Fighting with amazing talent others never dared
Still holding onto hope finding courage to continue
I see you, ICU.