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quarantine

I got the COVID-19…

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Speak out on behalf of the voiceless and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. -Proverbs 31:8

After working five 12-hr shifts this week, I was one of the fortunate people to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. I choose to receive this vaccine for the return of social gatherings, hugs, concerts, game days, to protect those who are immunocompromised, and to relieve the strain on the healthcare system.

Any new medication or vaccine does have some risks and concerns. After speaking with multiple hospitalists and doing my own research, I am hopeful for better days to come.

What is special about an mRNA vaccine?

  • mRNA vaccines create the same protein (spike protein) that is on the SARS-CoV-2 in our bodies so that we can produce antibodies that will fight an infection if we are infected.
  • This differs from the flu vaccine which is an inactivated form of the virus. This is not the case with the COVID vaccine- you cannot get COVID by simply taking the vaccine.

How is this safe when developed so quickly?

  • Many people, including myself, have been hesitant to accept a vaccine that has been developed so quickly. However, I have learned that scientists have been familiar with  mRNA vaccines for years. Once COVID hit, these scientists were able to identify the spike protein on the actual virus and create that same protein into a vaccine for our protection.

How is it administered?

  • The vaccine is an intramuscular injection like the flu vaccine and is administered in 2 doses either 21 days apart (Pfizer) or 28 days apart (Moderna).

Considerations/Unknowns

  • It is unknown how long natural immunity will last for someone who has already had the COVID-19.
  • mild s/e include pain at the injection site, muscle aches, fatigue, h/a, chills, joint pain, and fever. These were more common with the second dose than the first.

What is vaccine efficacy?

  • A vaccine is shown to be effective if it reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill.
  • Pfizer has shown 95% effectiveness, meaning that 95% of people will not become seriously ill if infected with the virus. This is actually wonderful, considering the flu vaccine is at most around 50% effective.
  • it is unknown whether the vaccine reduces transmissibility- continue to wear masks!

I hope this relieves some concerns about the vaccine. I believe in the science and pray for a happier and healthier 2021.

Until next shift,

Shania

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19

Mayo Clinic answers questions about COVID-19 vaccine

Clots, Codes, and COVID

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A 50 y/o COVID positive male is admitted to the med-Surg floor on 4L BNC. Shortly after arriving, the patient turned blue and became hypoxic. The rapid response team was called and the patient was immediately taken to get a CT scan with PE protocol to assess for a clot in the lung. The patient had to be placed on a bipap for transfer to radiology. This involved a respiratory therapist, ICU nurse, charge nurse, and a primary RN. I was instructed to carry 2 extra oxygen tanks as the patient was depleting the existing tanks rather quickly. As we arrive at radiology, the current 2 tanks are emptied, and I had to run to another department to grab additional back ups.

Once the CT was completed, we moved straight to the cardiac cath lab. There, they told the patient that it was necessary to perform a rapid sequence intubation and subsequent transfer to the ICU after all imaging was done. The pt became tearful and stated he could not breathe throughout the full 2 hour code.

Covid has been such a strange virus and we continue to learn more at each patient encounter. Prior to this admission, the patient was healthy with minimal preexisting conditions. The last night shift I worked, I happened to walk into his room to fix a beeping IV and was so excited to see this man awake, alert, and talking to me.

He told me that he had several clots throughout his entire body.. his heart, lungs, and his legs. He stated that he had coded twice in the ICU. He was covered in bruises and complaining of severe generalized pain. He was placed on a heparin drip to prevent any further clotting. I was so excited to see how “good” he looked and he was so grateful to be alive.

Covid is no joke and can change a life in seconds. This man may still be on oxygen, be quarantined in the hospital through Christmas, be covered in bruises, and suffering from generalized pain; however, he is alive. This is another humbling reminder to always count my blessings.

Until next shift,

Shania

COVID Update: Are we really heroes?

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Over the past couple of months, the world was forced to adapt to a new normal. Businesses were shut down, jobs were lost, jobs were deemed essential or nonessential, healthcare workers became heroes, and people appreciated the importance of science. There are two extremes: those who believe the coronavirus is a government-created fake to steal our rights, and those who remain isolated in his or her home. People either wear masks or continue to hang out in public crowds. Hospitals are either overwhelmed and under-resourced, or nearing shut down as revenue has dropped so drastically.

I have been affected by the latter. The rural organization that I am apart of recently furloughed and laid off several hundred workers due to a continued low census/revenue. We have tested several hundred individuals with a majority of them either negative, or positive with mild symptoms and instructed to remain isolated at home. I have yet to have any known exposure, nor have I cared for a true COVID-19 patient. I consider myself very fortunate and lucky. We have at most one positive COVID patient in the hospital per week. Census remains to be so low that many nurses are put on stand-by or cost-containment at least once per week. The so-called heroes are unable to work or make money. Many essential workers are given hazard pay, however at an organization where the usual salaries are difficult to come by, we are eliminating positions and praying that we continue to have a job as a new week begins.

So, am I really a hero? The Oxford dictionary defines a hero as someone who is idolized, shows courage, and noble qualities. By this definition, nurses and other healthcare personnel can be considered heroes. However, I do not search to go into harm’s way. I wear my cloth mask, adhere to crisis guidelines, educate the public (who many do not listen), and #stayathome despite the world starting to reopen. I go to work every shift with the mission to practice compassionate, evidence-based care while providing for the specific needs of each patient and family. And my reward? The personal satisfaction of helping others and the risk of getting called off on the next shift.

I absolutely love my profession, my hospital, my coworkers, and my patients, however I do not consider myself to be a hero. My mission is to educate, treat, and inspire people to do good and to remain healthy. My wish is that this pandemic has encouraged others to never take life for granted. I hope that the day we…

  • Hug our friends/family
  • Visit our grandparents
  • Be a support in the hospital
  • Go to a restaurant
  • Return to the theater
  • Shake someone’s hand
  • Go shopping
  • Fly on an airplane
  • Talk to our spouse and children…

Remember the year that these things were not safe and appreciate every moment.

Closing thoughts: This pandemic will not end until there is a miracle drug or vaccine. Even with the city opening up, please continue to social distance, maintain respiratory etiquette, wash your hands, wear a face mask, and be sensitive to others’ emotions.

Until next shift,

Shania

Things I’ve Learned in Quarantine- A Personal Retreat (part 1)

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  1. Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all of the time. It means that on hard days, you know that there are better ones coming.
  2. Take every day to count your blessings. I have a healthy family, a paying job, a home, etc.. Social isolation began about 3 weeks after the Nashville tornadoes. There were families who lost everything and now had to remain inside a stranger’s home until it was safe to rebuild. 340 employees were furloughed at my hospital, I am very fortunate.
  3. Being alone with my thoughts sucks. My anxiety exacerbates when I am isolated. This led to phone calls, video conferencing, among other activities to stay connected without complete social distancing.
  4. Joy and tragedy can coincide. When I run through the neighborhood, I see positive quotes from children written in chalk. Countless videos have been posted about people placing thank you signs around the hospitals for front-line staff. One of the most memorable videos is from a city in Georgia who stood on their balconies and congratulated nurses as they changed shifts at a highly populated hospital. Volunteers have made masks and donated food to essential workers and those in need.
  5. I love Yoga! A friend introduced me to online Yoga videos and I do at least one every day I am off work. It’s a relaxing work out, forces me to stretch, and allows me to be present in the moment.
  6. I love community. Before all of the forced social distancing, I willingly social distanced myself. It is easy to want to stay home and relax alone without having to worry about the schedules of other people. It is easy to text, call, or FaceTime a friend for social interaction. It is easy to choose to be virtually present for a race, meeting, etc rather than physically being present. But now that virtual interaction is the only safe means of connection, I realize that relationships and community are so important for a healthy soul. Being engaged in the lives of your friends, coworkers, church, group hobbies, and family creates a sense of self-worth. I may not be fully willing to go out of my comfort zone and seek connection, however when I do, I always feel so much better after. The conversations that can be had with people with common interests and those in my daily circles improve my life. Connections and experiences are what is remembered for years to come, not what I gift or create myself.
  7. The rise of telemedicine.
  8. Homemade peanut butter cups are easy and delicious. Not to mention they are great with afternoon coffee!
  9. I have grown more in love. This “staycation” with my fiancé has allowed us to do all of the things we enjoy for multiple days in a row.. morning coffee while reading on the couch, yoga, running, netflix marathons, cooking, and just being in each other’s presence. I was worried about our October wedding (we have been planning for 2 years) not happening, but just going on a big adventure together wouldn’t be so bad.
  10. I have revamped my acting career.. more info to come.
  11. I am the 2020 nursing preceptor of the year.
  12. I ran my first half marathon in 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 32 seconds.
  13. I enrolled in a clinical trial to test the use of plaquenil for COVID prevention.

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615-856-8181
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