"How Are You Doing?" said Joey Tribbiani

       I know. This isolation thing has me watching a lot of reruns and of course "Friends" is one of them. So much has happened to us, individually and professionally, in such a short amount of time. By seeing a lot of you on instagram and at work, you are definitely rocking this COVID thing. 

       NTI isn't happening but online workshops and classes are still rolling strong. Our national mothership, AACN, is in compliance with government's request to cancel all chapter meetings and social events yet we are still connecting through our Land of the Pines chapter facebook and Instagram. If you haven't sign up for it yet, take the step and join. As soon as we get the go ahead, we will let our chapter members know when we are meeting again.

      Now, on a much more personal note, I have really had to work through my own anxiety over this world event. I am not the healthiest 50 year old; what if I catch the virus? what if I take it back to my children? how many times am I going to be put on call? what if my coworkers get sick? what.....? what.....? what.....? So I have decided to take steps to slow my mind down, cast down the fears and breathe. I have downloaded mediation apps, been purposeful on my daily walks, follow through with my online individual therapy sessions, really watch what I am eating to include those BBQ chip and chocolate bars that somehow jump into my mouth, been very mindful of how much of my money Amazon if getting from me, talk to my family and friends on the phone and turning off the tv so I am not overwhelmed with the news. Oh yeah - I am purposeful in my rest and purposeful to get out of my jammies. TMI? Not really because I know in our little chapter, we are all struggling with the same fears in a different capacity.

        My prayer for you is that you are able to calm any of your fears you may have and know that this too will pass. Until it does, we have a huge resource of support out there in our community. FirstHealth has its own free counseling center for our employees and our chaplains are walking around the unit checking on the staff to see what they can do. If you or someone you know needs help in the community, the FoodBank is providing assistance. Thankfully, the Southern Pines Reservoir and The Greenway Trail remain open. The NCDHHS.gov has on its website - COVID-19: Managing Your Overall Health. There you will find a helpline set up just for healthcare workers: Hope4Healers 919-226-2002 along with all the state resources.   

      Remember how you are taught to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you worry about others when you are on a plane? Self preservation during this crisis is how you will be at your best. Each of you have been given the gift to be a critical care nurse. Not everyone can do our job. Put your oxygen mask on first. And then breathe. 

With utmost love and respect,

Dory Franklin