I tried to find a subreddit to post to that could be defined as ‘welcoming’ and ‘comforting’. In hopes that it would be okay I be allowed to post. And when I thought of safe, this subreddit was the first to come to mind.
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My dad died less than 12 hours ago from COVID.
He started feeling poorly on Monday. He got ill, began stumbling, on Thursday. I had my mom call an ambulance and he was diagnosed that night. Less than 24 hours later, they called a code blue and he died. He had COPD, heart issues (previous quad bypass), and was 80 years old.
As soon as he tested positive, I knew the odds were that he wasn’t going to make it. You know the odds when you work in a hospital.
I work at a hospital (team lead for breast and gynecological oncology department). I have patients pass away due to cancer all the time. COVID has been there too. Surgeries cancelled. Chemo delayed due to exposure. Patients who die from it. My dad just died from it. My dad died. My dad..
Whenever I get a phone call from a patient’s family member, letting us know that a patient has died, I stuff that set of emotions in a box. I have to be strong for them and listen to them as their voice breaks. I have to comfort them. And when we find out from the grapevine that a patient passed, I put those feelings in that box too. The box feels full when a patient passes that you’re close with. That maybe you saw their progression and spent time with them.. and then they are gone. That box gets really full.
I don’t have many friends. I don’t have anyone outside of my spouse (and mother) to talk to. I posted on Facebook in effort to find someone to talk to, but my brother (half, older) got upset and told me to take it down. That his kids were out and driving around and he didn’t want them to see it before he got to talk to them. I posted it to my Twitter (private) but he saw it and called, cussing, telling me to take it down. I took it down.
So I’m here. I only meant to write two or three sentences but the words started tumbling out. I’m sorry for whoever sat through and read all of this. I didn’t mean to make it so long. I just. I can’t sleep and my dad died and I’m so tired of COVID. I’m so, so sick and tired of COVID. I love my job but the work has been exhausting and taxing since March. I love my hospital but it’s been so, so tiring to be in that building every shift.
My dad died and I feel alone and I just hope it is okay I post this here.
Thank you for your time. This subreddit is amazing and I love reading how supportive everyone is. It gives me faith and hope. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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