Report of 24 Dec 2020

 Good evening!

Merry Christmas Eve!  Long ago, a couple made their way from place to place, looking for a safe place to stay the night and have their baby.  Finally, a kind person let them stay in the stable and a child was born.  "Mary, did you know?"  

We are in the U.S.  Ball Memorial Hospital asked in October if I could come and work for a while, and I agreed.  It is a fine place to work, with superlative leadership.  Flights cooperated after initial cancellations and we landed in NJ.  We were fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with both children.  Nat cooked the entire meal and it was delicious!  

I started work a few weeks ago and it is nice.  Having sat out the entire pandemic in India - which is not all bad - I am treating COVID patients and enjoying it.  I learn a lot, especially the garbing and gowning: there is an order that has to be followed in both donning and doffing.  We have 96 year olds that are COVID-positive, and I am riveted by the pandemic.  

A memorable patient was a Black lady who came in with uncontrolled diabetes.  A scar on her belly attracted my attention: she said she had had her uterus removed and at one time, used to cut herself.  That saddened me, and I held her hand, touched her cheek with my gloved hand and said I was sorry she had a period when she had to do that.  I told her I have worked with patients with mental illness, and hoped she had recovered well.  It was a nice, connecting moment, and I was happy the patient recovered well from her most current illness and went home.    

Naren has arrived to spend a few days with us.  Nat is travelling in the storm and we hope to see her in a few days.  We are fortunate to have family, and good health, and jobs, and hope for the best for all - especially the less fortunate who are struggling.  

I spoke to my Dad a few days ago and he was keen on hearing all about my interesting cases.  It is nice that he is still interested in such medical matters.  

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021 to all of you!

Unw -

R