All he wanted was a hug

giannina allende Nurse San José de Arica Hospital

ARICA — CHILE

We have a reputation for being an intensive care unit with the human touch in the First Region in the north of Chile. We are known for the way we bring the family into our patient care and treatment. Nevertheless, during the pandemic we had to restrict contact with both Covid patients and non-Covid patients with serious illnesses. It was very difficult for us to see the families unable to accompany people in the toughest of times.

For me, the most moving case was that of Juvenal, 50 years old, who came to us with a very serious abdominal trauma. He was on non-invasive mechanical ventilation. One day he said to me: Please Miss Giannina, can I hug you? I knew he felt alone. Together with my colleague Mónica, We hugged him. He took my hand, I prayed with him and said: Don’t worry, don’t be afraid, we’re looking after you.

That day when I finished my 24-hour shift I was really worried. An hour later my colleague Darío told me: Juvenal is very unwell and we can’t do any more for him, he is going to die shortly. That really touched me, because all he had asked for was a hug. Sadly he died.

I have also seen many miracles at our intensive care unit. People have come in very unwell, at risk of dying, and we have fought with all we have to save them. My sister and I decided to cut ourselves off because of the risk of Covid, as she works with patients in an intensive care unit (icu). Our grandparents are isolating with a younger sister and the two of us send food once a month, which we disinfect beforehand. �