Euphoria, uncertainty, longing ... a lot of sensations came over them the night before their return. In a few hours, they would receive defining news, the kind that makes you smile or crush your soul. At the premonition of a farewell, they hurried to prepare the luggage.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The good news came at dawn: negatives for SARS-CoV-2. Nothing more alike to happiness, after looking at the face of COVID-19 in the red zone of the Frank País Hospital, in Havana. Those were days filled with courage and dedication because there, in front of patients, fears are extinguished and the need to save their lives prevails.
They say that they were called to support assistance in the midst of the current healthcare emergency. Each one - from different points of the Las Tunas geography - assumed the commitment with the only certainty that they would put their best efforts into the task.
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In the "Frank País" they fought the disease and emerged victoriously. They sweated under the diving suits, memorized security protocols, strengthened teamwork, overcame fears, safeguarded ... They will not forget the experience nor the beautiful feelings that were born in the heat of the intense days, and that will make them miss each other.
For the graduate in Nursing Marilis Pérez Brito, from the municipality of Manatí, integrating this group of five colleagues has been vital in her career of more than 25 years. “I have worked in multiple emergency services and care for the patient in serious condition. When they requested the disposition, I accepted without hesitation; now I return home healthy and full satisfaction.
“I had to prepare myself and take extreme care to face this terrible pathology. Although I did not directly treat seriously ill patients, I did see healthcare professionals infected with the virus, and for me, it was a challenge and a privilege,” she says.
The municipality of Jobabo found a worthy representative in Yumileydis Escuellar González. Accustomed to helping bring children to the world and caring for pregnant women, she did not imagine ever facing a similar mission; but refusing was not an option. She confesses that she was very affected by caring for sick colleagues and had to be filled with "courage to continue the fight."
Mayuli Rodríguez Silvera, from Majibacoa, acknowledges that the month away from home also involved sacrifices for the family, which needed to readjust routines and cling to the hope of a happy return. She has known how to practice her profession in several Primary Health Care facilities and from the "Frank País," she faced the Covid-19.
"The fact of finding sick people from the guild helped us even to take better care of ourselves, and we acquired different knowledge."
Mayelín Suárez Barea, from 'Jesús Menéndez', with just over 10 years of work, reaffirms her partner's criteria. "Although I have provided services in the Intensive Care Unit of the Guillermo Domínguez Hospital (Puerto Padre) and in isolation centers for patients suspected of dengue, this new work provided me with a lot of professionalism."
The four, guided by the nurse Ruberlando Rodríguez Parra, overcame the difficulties and praised the specialty. “I never saw them decline, on the contrary, they always kept their energies and we formed a true team. We left with the satisfaction that we did what we could for our patients. We will not forget this mission.”
And when it comes to brave, self-sacrificing professionals, people with a noble heart, we must mention this brotherhood of nurses from Las Tunas who, without hesitation, enlisted to reinforce assistance in the Cuban capital. Now, at home and holding their family, they are finally being able to affirm: Mission accomplished!
