Hands ready to wrap up life and; yes, also to give that last goodbye to the world, that appear at the bedside with the whiteness of the uniform as an unmistakable sign of the values involved in the sublime work of nursing.
Puerto Padre, Las Tunas - In the battle side by side with doctors, on many occasions, they are relegated to second place; even so, they maintain the commitment to guard, at all times, those who entrusted their health to them.
After 25 years in the profession, it is difficult for Yamilys Oller Pérez to memorize every name or face of those who received her care; however, in one way or another, she carries something of each patient.
"It is a difficult and laborious profession but it is also very human and beautiful because many people depend on us to do our job well since they require special care.
Faced with the most convulsive stage of the COVID-19, a period where the warmth of sensitivity passed through the glances or the freshness of a friendly voice, Yamilys like much other brave Health personnel, assumed responsibilities to safeguard man's greatest wealth: life.
"Many of us, nurses, stepped forward. Since I had experience in management, I was asked to head a hospital ward, which I did throughout the pandemic. At first, we did 10-day stints in the hospital, another 10 days in isolation, and the same period at home. This went on for several rotations until the number of cases decreased and we returned to normal.
Despite having felt real fear on many occasions, the moral commitment to the cap, besides the virtue of serving those in need, overcame limitations and obstacles.
"The work was very hard and rigorous. The protection clothes with a hood with a face shield were almost unbearable, but the human body adapts to everything. The first few times, we had symptoms of suffocation but then, as time went on, we were able to bear the heat. We always looked for new solutions so that the patient would receive the best care, although at times of scarcity of oxygen, as well as other medications and implements."
The lethality of the coronavirus brought on several occasions the eternal combat between the dark-toned sickle and the men and women dressed in light.
"Many patients went into the hospital wards, some came out recovered; others were not as fortunate. The nursing work is very important because we are the caretakers of complications, in other words, the doctor provides the treatment and we have to give them direct attention.
The experiences flow in all directions, and stories have accumulated over time; in the same way, the pleasure of caring for life increases after each working shift, no matter how exhausting it may have been.
"I always liked nursing; I dreamed about it since I was very young, and I have remained in this hard work, one of the most humane professions that exist. I can't conceive of myself without the white coat, and if I were born again, I would choose to be a nurse."
