Hi Rose, my name is Dr. Bartlett. I’m going to be one of your doctors today. I heard that you had a rough night last night, so we’re going to work on your medications to make sure you’re staying more comfortable. You are too tired to open your eyes or talk to me right now and that’s okay, we’re going to take good care of you.
I’m sorry that you got Covid. I don’t know why people aren’t taking it more seriously. I really wish they could meet you, Rose. Then they might care. Maybe.
Your daughter said that you woke up briefly this morning and told her that you didn’t want to die. I understand. This must be really scary for you. I’m glad your daughter was finally able to come and see you. She said it had been almost two months. I’m really sorry to have to tell you this Rose, but she is going to have to leave now. Your husband and son want to come and see you too, but you can only have two visitors at a time…in this situation. She probably won’t be able to come back because…there just isn’t much time. I hope you can feel her squeezing your hand. She loves you so much.
I’m so sorry that you got Covid.
I’m going to call our EP team now so that they can come and turn off your defibrillator. You won’t need it anymore. We don’t want it to shock you and cause you more pain. Your oxygen saturation is dropping and we just don’t have anything else we can do. But I promise we won’t let you suffer.
I’m so sorry that you got Covid.
Your nurse today is Julie. She’s probably one of the best nurses in our hospital and I know that she will take excellent care of you. She was really sad when she had to ask your daughter to leave. Nobody wanted it to be this way.
I’m so sorry that you got Covid.
Okay, I’ve ordered plenty of medication for you. Julie is going to be watching you closely and if it looks like you are short of breath or anxious, she will give you more medicine to keep you comfortable. Your husband and son are here, so I’m going to step out. I hope you can feel them squeezing your hands. They love you so much.
I’m sorry that you got Covid. I don’t know why people aren’t taking it more seriously. I really wish they could meet you, Rose. Then they might care.
*Names changed to protect patient privacy.
drbartlettpear.com 
That made me cry! I don’t know why people aren’t taking this more seriously…what is wrong with people?? Thanks for what you do, Christie
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Christie, thank you so much for sharing this story from a physician’s perspective. This is exactly what happened to my mother two weeks ago. We weren’t ready to say goodbye. She was doing all the right things but someone unknowingly infected her at the rehab facility. Even if I wanted to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with her this year, I cannot.
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Valerie, my heart aches and tears flood my eyes when I think of what you and your family have endured these past few weeks. I listen to the KU MED update every morning and I too don’t understand why people don’t get it now…
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I lost a dear friend to Covid. She went to her grandson’s Wedding. So very sad. She had 6 children. Not one got to be with her. Please follow the rules. You might be saving someone else’s grandmother.
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