{"id":107986,"date":"2020-03-30T10:35:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T14:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=107986"},"modified":"2020-04-06T06:56:06","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T10:56:06","slug":"coronavirus-is-like-waiting-for-the-tsunami-to-hit-says-ucf-grad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/coronavirus-is-like-waiting-for-the-tsunami-to-hit-says-ucf-grad\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus Is like \u201cWaiting for the Tsunami to Hit\u201d Says UCF Grad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhat\u2019s the craziest thing you\u2019ve experienced in the ER?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m often asked that question when people find out I practice emergency medicine. I became a doctor because I find great fulfillment in the charge and challenge of helping people who are suffering. Though I\u2019m sure innocent curiosity drives that inquisitiveness, sharing the suffering of others not only violates the delicate trust people share with me but also reopens painful memories I\u2019ve learned to compartmentalize in order to cope with daily heartache.<\/p>\n

I care for people in their most vulnerable states, on their worst days, sometimes in their last hours.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not na\u00efve to hazards and uncertainties. This isn\u2019t the first time I\u2019ve gowned and gloved and masked. I\u2019ve worn plenty of PPE caring for patients with tuberculosis, meningitis, blood borne pathogens and infectious disease.<\/p>\n

During the 2013-2014 H1N1 influenza outbreak, I was a tender intern and first experienced the sobering reality of caring for young, healthy patients my age, dying in the ICU on ventilators and maximal critical care support.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis<\/em> is the craziest thing I\u2019ve ever experienced in the ER. \u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I\u2019m not a stranger to bad news and difficult situations. This isn\u2019t the first time I\u2019ve seen fear in the eyes of my patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe CT scan showed what we were dreading\u2026 You have cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing everything I can to help your mom get better, but nothing is working and she keeps getting sicker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk about what to do if your breathing becomes worse. The next step would be to put you on a ventilator \u2014 life support.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so very sorry to have to tell you that your husband has died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t find your baby\u2019s heartbeat. It breaks my heart to say that you\u2019re having a miscarriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is,<\/em> however, the first time that I have felt inadequate in using my knowledge and skills to assess risk and anticipate what is to come. No one alive can provide first-hand experience or advice.<\/p>\n

This virus is so puzzling because it spreads so quickly, it knows no boundaries, it stealthily infects and presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms. No population is safe.<\/p>\n

This<\/em> is the craziest thing I\u2019ve ever experienced in the ER.<\/p>\n