Winter Comes Early

First snowfall

Winter has come early in more ways than one. Our daughter sent this picture of our grandchildren as they awoke to their first snowfall this morning. They were so excited and couldn't wait to get outside before school to see if they could make a snowman. I doubt they took time to eat breakfast.

We had even more snow overnight where we live. My husband had his first cataract surgery last week and is scheduled to have his second eye done tomorrow. He is not to do any heavy lifting and being the perfectionist he is about yard work, is concerned about raking the last of our autumn leaves as well as clearing today's snow. What a difference in perspective between the young and the old! Somewhere along the line, we lose our enthusiasm for winter as we worry about driving and walking in ice and snow. Clearing our sidewalks and driveways is quite the chore too. A good friend has come over the help with our snow today and his kindness is appreciated greatly. We have many opportunities to be neighbourly in the winter months.

I have worked through the Covid-19 pandemic, but I have never seen the hospital system so overwhelmed as it is this month. We have many adult patients admitted with severe Influenza A as the flu season has hit hard and early. Covid and RSV are prevalent as well. I had an unfortunate patient this week from a retirement home who tested positive for Covid and Influenza A at the same time. Staff members and their families are sick so it is a struggle to cover shifts adequately. We do not have a pediatric unit where I work but children's hospitals are also overwhelmed with respiratory illnesses across the country. 

Yesterday, hospital managers distributed certificates and enamel pins to employees who worked through the pandemic. It is good to recognize work done well, but staff continue to work in a challenging environment with drug and personnel shortages, bulging emergency and medical wards, and the inability to take earned vacations which increases the risk of burn-out. 

I am thankful for the health care we have in Canada. My husband is getting his eye surgery in a timely way with the costs covered by OHIP. People needing urgent treatment are triaged appropriately most of the time. Yet we must do our best to protect our public system by taking more responsibility for our own health. So many conditions I see are lifestyle related and preventable. Wearing masks indoors will help slow the transmission of many respiratory illnesses. Flu vaccination clinics have rolled out and Covid boosters are available. Vaccinated people are getting Covid but generally, their symptoms are not severe. I am making an extra effort to eat well, exercise and get enough sleep to boost my immune system. We are all tired of pandemic restrictions and compliance with protective recommendations has dropped off quickly. I stopped wearing a mask after having Covid this summer, but am going back to wearing one this winter.

It may be a very long season and I am going to pursue the joy of discovery that comes naturally to my grandchildren as much as possible.