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As I look back on my time as an ICU nurse during the height of the pandemic, I can’t help but be filled with sadness, anger, and fear. Sadness for the lives we lost, anger for the willful ignorance that contributed to their untimely and unnecessary deaths, and fear – Fear that we have only scratched the surface of what’s to come. Hospitals across this country continue to utilize deadly protocols, push for unnecessary and unethical medical interventions in the absence of informed consent, and provide a level of care to patients that are so disgustingly low you would think we were living in a 3rd world country.
As a nurse, I understand well that death is a part of life. But what I witnessed during my time at the bedside was something far different. These patients weren’t dying from a disease, and they weren’t dying from a virus. Patients were dying from the complete and total medical mismanagement of COVID-19 or perhaps from something far more sinister than that.
Joining me for this episode is Douglas Hines, along with his daughter, Ashley Gunderson.
Doug is a lifelong resident of Iola, Wisconsin, currently 66 years of age. He started out in the construction business out of high school and then got into the insurance business at age 21, where he has been ever since. Additionally, he has been the Town Clerk in his township for the last 32 years.
Doug has a beautiful family, starting with his wife Linda of 39 years, daughters Sharon, Angela, Amanda, Ashley, and son Tyler. He also has eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
In July 2020, Doug contracted Covid-19; from where, who knows? He tried to stay out of the hospital but eventually had to go to Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wi. on August 7th, 2020. After some time there, he was transferred to Madison Select Specialty in Madison, Wi. and then finally to Thedacare Rehab in Neenah, Wi. He did not come home until November 13th, 2020.
During this time, there were a lot of unusual things that happened with Doug and his family. Prayers were felt by hundreds of people, friends of friends, and many he did not even know. Emotions of joy, sadness, and survival like a roller coaster ride were felt as they fought through this time.
Doug and his family kept saying that their story would make a good book or movie. So, in March of 2022, Doug decided it was time to put their story on paper.
The resulting book, 98 DAYS: A TRUE COVID-19 STORY, is now published!
I wanted to share this beautiful poem that Doug has written about his experience. He is currently looking for a musician to put this to music so if that’s you…reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll get you connected!
LIFE’S A MIRACLE
Life is a miracle like the blue in the sky,
Through the hands of Jesus you get to ask him why.
As we fly through the clouds that never seem to end,
Turning dreams to memories the time we get to spend.
Jamaica is our destiny Oh beautiful it will be,
Warming sand between our toes time spent with family.
Time has come fun is done back to the life we’ve known,
As our plane comes to a halt we see a world unknown.
As time goes by life stands still with horror in our eyes,
Masking becomes a way of life disrupting all our lives.
I thought I was a man of steel no sickness could control,
I fought the fight that no one should my body takes a toll.
There you are lying all alone just a nurse by your side,
Is this just it my journey’s done broken hearted only cried.
There I lie in a state of mass a heartbeat away from light,
Is there a chance my last breath ends this dreadful night.
Then there is a calm a peaceful time life is slipping away,
A pair of hands a grip so tight please fight another day.
Here comes the power inner strength just can’t explain,
My body says you’re not done yet my soul is full of pain.
My family’s near I just can’t hear shouts are you alive,
As I shed a tear the fight is clear I’m going to survive.
My eyes come open my life is broken my future all a blur,
There at my side my wife my life my family creates a stir.
A miracle happened to my surprise doctors can’t say why,
I’ve been blessed to live this ride it’s time to say goodbye.
Nurses Out Loud can be heard on weekdays at 10 am ET. Listen on iHeart Radio, our world-class media player, or our free apps on Apple, Android, or Alexa. All episodes can be found on podcast networks worldwide the day after airing on talk radio.
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