30/06/2020
with .firmeza
“I'm Mariana Firmeza, a Brazilian oncology nurse. I work at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia in Fortaleza / Ceará, specifically in the outpatient clinic for pain and palliative care.
⠀
Oncology is one of the specialties that, despite the pandemic, has no indication of suspending care, except in some cases and according to the benefit risk assessment. We did not stop the service, we reduced the professionals' scales and advised that the companions / caregivers without flu-like symptoms should attend the service, so as not to interrupt the treatment with opioids.
⠀
I am the coordinator of the pain and palliative care clinic and the most difficult decision was to see the other clinics stop their activities and have to keep ours, for the benefit of our cancer patient. Knowing that discontinuing opioid treatment would lead to additional risks.
⠀
I can never forget that we also lost patients in this difficult period. Many stopped going to the consultations for fear of becoming infected, others who live in the countryside were unable to get transportation to continue the treatment. Some patients also reported that they became infected, others that they lost close family members and this is very challenging for the multiprofessional team.
⠀
Cancer cannot wait...
⠀
We live in difficult circumstances where the use of PPE’s and hand hygiene becomes more frequent, in addition physical contact is being avoided. Even so, some professionals on the team were infected by COVID-19, leaving the service.
⠀
However, we must celebrate our victories and keep hope for better days for those who deal with cancer on a daily basis.”
⠀
We will share personal testimonials by healthcare professionals worldwide, to get insight in the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
⠀
You want to share your story too?
DM us!
⠀
@ Santa Casa De Misericórdia Em Fortaleza