Editor:
What an incredible time in our world, in our country, in our valley.
Things could not be changing more quickly. Some of our closest family members and colleagues are hanging on by a thread.
Recently, I had an urgent medical condition that required me going into the emergency room at Canmore Hospital. As you would expect, the hospital had a screening process for the coronavirus which involved some questions and answers.
Within a short time, I was on an IV and resting comfortably. It was the sickest that I had ever been in the ER and yet I felt OK, but it was all a little scary.
It gave me a rare opportunity to spend many hours with these incredible angels of kindness. I was stuck in there for quite a few hours and witnessed three separate "shifts" or rotations of the doctors, the nurses and many support staff.
Yes, you could sense their concern for what was to come. Yes, they were scared just like all of us. They also understand, better than most, how bad it might get. They know the incredible commitment it will take to get through it.
They are an amazing community of front line medical staff. I felt humbled to spend some time with these warm and wonderful individuals. We are so lucky.
Yes, things are worrisome and quite terrible right now. What will the future hold?
But we are also blessed in that, should we need them, they will be there for us. They will come and get you, they will ensure that you get the best possible care and they will do it with kindness, empathy and a level of personal commitment that is hard to believe.
They also have to manage their families and their own personal challenges just like all of us. One nurse and I talked about what might be coming and she used the analogy that it was like a tsunami. You can see that line of water out on the horizon. It is coming, but will it be a three foot wave, a 13 foot wave, or a 33 foot wave.
These neighbours and friends will be there with us when the wave hits the beach. We are blessed to call them our nurses, doctors and medical teams of the Bow Valley.
A big thank you to all the front line workers out there. We appreciate your courage. Be well.
Kevin Whitfield,
Canmore
