Christmas will be different for most of us because of COVID-19, but it will be even more so for sick children who spend the holiday season in hospital.
Nurses from the Charles-Bruneau Unit of the CHU de Québec have agreed to wear cameras to film their daily life during their shift.
These images make it possible to see the reality of the little ones and their families, just like that of the employees of the unit in this period of unprecedented health crisis.
See, in the report above, Dr Bruno Michon, hemato-oncologist, assistant head nurse Julie Plourde and nurse clinician Marie-Pier Dionne, providing care to Zoé, Olivier, Cédrick, Éloïse.
“Parents can take turns, but cannot be there together. Children are confined to their rooms. They cannot have a visit from their brothers and sisters or their grandparents because of the sanitary rules. It sure changes the dynamic! ”Explains Dr Bruno Michon.
Children are confined to their rooms. To put some Christmas magic in their hearts, we give them gifts.
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Santa is there through technology.
“You can’t hear them running in the corridors anymore. It is no longer a living environment because of sanitary rules, ”says assistant head nurse Julie Plourde.
“A 5-year-old must have been tested 12 times for COVID and it is not always easy for them,” says Dr. Michon.
Many are hospitalized for months. They suffer from cancer and are immunosuppressed by the treatments.
This is why the sanitary rules must be followed to the letter. The parent present must also wear the mask.
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Staff fear contagion.
“It’s my worst fear of catching it, of being asymptomatic and passing COVID on to these children. They don’t need that extra, ”worries Julie Plourde.
The strict rules to be observed are not problematic for Marie-Pier Dionne, who is a nurse clinician.
“Me, I don’t mind always wearing a mask and glasses to protect them. It is so heartwarming to see them. Even with the disease, they are able to see the bright side, ”she says.
“This is our second family. Since we cannot see our loved ones for Christmas, I prefer to be here and that will perhaps bring them some comfort to these children, ”admits another caregiver, Mélissa Fortier.
Dr Michon is delighted that more and more sick children are getting better, not least because of improving treatments.
“It’s so impressive the resilience of these families, of these children!”, He notes.
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