A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam by author Shan Barker

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A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

A story of Life, Laughter, Loss, and Love

by Shân Ellison Barker

A fascinating true story of winning and losing, joy and pain, accomplishments and challenges, and ultimately the indomitable spirit to overcome, and rejoice in this extraordinary gift we call… LIFE!

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Once we were inside the room a voice came over the Tannoy system: “Do NOT leave your room.” Another space suit-clad person – it was impossible to tell whether it was male or female as all we could see were the eyes through the goggles and not a single word was uttered – and indicated with arm movements that we should lie on the bed.

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

I managed to get up to go to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked just like my father did the day before he died. My eyes were sunken; my skin a greyish-black colour. I remembered what I always used to say to my boys when they were little, which is our family motto: “Never give up.”

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

I got the name and number the doctor had stuck to the wall – Dr Thang – and looked him up on Facebook and sent him a friend request. I was worried this was the doctor who had got the virus, but it wasn’t him, thank goodness, and later he messaged me to say John was now lying flat and on oxygen.

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

At 8.53pm I got a message from Dr Thang – ‘There is a problem.’ This reminded me of, ‘Houston, we have a problem’, and I stared at the words. What did he mean? I messaged back, and my heart stopped when I saw the reply: John had been put on a ventilator. Oh God, no. Endotracheal intubation.

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

“Let us pray,” our vicar had said one Sunday as the service got under way, and just at that quiet moment my phone rang full blast with Abba’s song ‘Dancing Queen’ – the silence was over!

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

They had stopped sedation, and his ventilation had been dropped to 35%. Oh thank goodness. Oh God, please let this miracle continue. My mind was all over the place. I had been sleeping with John’s cap on my chest, and Trudy had been praying for him all night. She had a spiritual side, like me, and I couldn’t thank her enough.

Excerpt from A Diverse Nurse Thanks Vietnam

Pen

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