To the patient who just sent me a message with a “thank you” and encouraging words to keep going, you have done more than you will ever know. My heart is full of gratitude as I write this tonight–though it was a holiday weekend, I still worked several hours every night to complete all my work tasks before the new week began. I can tell you I am exhausted–we have lost almost half our staff in the past few months and are unable to take care of the influx of patient needs to the point where I have sometimes felt lost in my own path.
I never imagined working in a pandemic, and as much as I try to put my feelings and personal life aside for each patient as they come to see me, messages like the one I received today have been the core of what has kept me going. So, to my beautiful patient who sent me a heart emoji at the end of her gentle message of love and encouragement, I thank you. My heart thanks you. My exhaustion thanks you. My fear of not being able to keep up thanks you. My soul as a fellow human thanks you for taking the time to reach out simply to help a fellow woman.
Your words have just been the cornerstone I have needed, and now I can use your strength to help build up and encourage the patients I will see in just a few short hours.
Written from the heart. So true. People often know what to do to help or what to say. A simple thank you is sometimes all that is needed to make the entire day, week, year or LIFE happy again:)
THANK YOU DR. ERIKA!