My spouse and the many others sticking with their careers after being oncology ICU nurses during the worst of the pandemic. They know it’s a thankless job and they’re treated like shit, the healthcare system is a disaster, families and patients scream at them and attack them, the job certainly isn’t about money, it puts your physical and mental health at risk, but they’ll do it anyway for that one person who gets to ring the bell and say their cancer is no longer detectable.
My oncle sailed into early COVID season with late non-hodgekins and not long to go. He thought of his pregnant daughter and her child, and the risks of attending treatment, now daily, and took a voluntary.
Our med system made this horrific decision slightly less so by handling everything but the go button; and while we miss everything about him to this day, we’re grateful.
It’s important work, even when we don’t win.
