From our patient-facing staff and those working in the trenches, to teammates working from home, handling the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for many of us. Finding ways to help get us through these tough times – woodworking, drawing, playing a musical instrument, diving and more – are distractions that keep us going and remind us of the joys in our lives. Scroll through as we share some of the many ways that our teammates have coped through the ongoing pandemic. We hope these stories inspire you to give yourself and the healthcare workers in your life an extra boost during this current Omicron variant surge.
____________________________________________________________________
“On March 14, 2020, my husband and I decided to invest in bikes for our family. The next day, we took our first family bike ride on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, with my husband towing a bike trailer with our 2-year-old son, Charles, and our 14-year-old dachshund, Maggie May. We have since logged hundreds of miles on these bikes. Bike rides have become part of our mental and physical health. We love biking to new areas of our city, and we often stop at a favorite milkshake spot where we reward ourselves without guilt. Everyone is happier after a milkshake and bike ride!” - Sarah M. Bender, Assistant Vice President, Operations, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
____________________________________________________________________
“I’ve been a musician and songwriter for over 30 years. I used the early days of the COVID-19 crisis to play my music for teammates at Carolinas Medical Center where I work. I wanted members of our frontline staff to know that their hard work is not going unrecognized. And, as a way of dealing with my own struggles with all that this pandemic meant, I turned to songwriting as well. One of the songs I wrote was called ‘Ain’t No Pandemic,’ and it shares the message that, if we are united, this pandemic might limit us in many ways, but it doesn’t have to stop the love we share for one another.” -The Rev. Greg Hathaway, MDiv, BCC, ACPE Certified Educator, Director, Spiritual Care and Education, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
____________________________________________________________________
“I had to look in my camera to check the date of my mother’s passing: June 15, 2020. In December 2020, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had my biopsy, surgery and radiation treatments through the next five months. Then, in June 2021, my second granddaughter was born -- with heart defects. She had her first surgery in July and now, she is thriving! How am I coping? First, I acknowledge that I have a right to feel sad and depressed at times. If I feel like crying, I cry. When this happens, I lean on my husband for support and hugs. Then, I grab hold of the good that happens every day and take pictures. My dogs and my backyard birds are my primary subjects. I have had hummingbirds visit all summer. I am thrilled to have them buzz by me to get to the nectar feeders.” - Kelley Jo A. Weaver, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, PCCN, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
____________________________________________________________________
“One evening I recall looking on Instagram and saw a blanket that I really liked. Seeing the blanket sparked the idea for me to learn how to make it. That evening, I went to Walmart and bought some yarn. I went home and got on YouTube and proceeded to learn how to crochet. It took a while to learn how to do it, but I finally got the hang of crocheting and have enjoyed making different items. What I love about crocheting is that when I am making things, my mind is cleared from anything that might be bothering me. It is very therapeutic." - Anton Whitehurst, Staff Assistant - Adult Kidney Transplant, Atrium Health Transplant Center
____________________________________________________________________
“After having surgery in high school, I learned how to crochet from a family friend. Over the past twelve years, I have gotten better with my stitch. I have even sold a few blankets. Shopping for yarn, rolling it into balls, dangling knots: it’s like detangling my brain. I get excited about picking out colors and the pattern. Whenever I have a stressful day at work, or feel overwhelmed, it’s the one thing I want to do when I get home. Just ten minutes and I feel more at ease.” -Miranda Scoggins, BSN, RN, PCCN, 10L Medical Intensive Care Unit, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
____________________________________________________________________
“I created my own wood mountain geometric piece and an American flag for my house. I posted about my newfound hobby on social media and had many fellow nurses and family members order various items for their homes. These orders spiraled into me building various items like more American flags, wood letters for nurseries, backyard games, dog beds and more. I realized that I really love woodworking and it gave me a way to mentally escape the things I was seeing at work. The hobby I had has now turned into a little side business that has helped both my fiancé and I find an escape during this hard time.” - Chrissy Maguire, RN, BSN, Kidney Pancreas Transplant Coordinator, Atrium Health Transplant Center
____________________________________________________________________
“I have been scuba diving since 2009 and quickly fell in love with the sport/hobby. In 2012, I won a diving rebreather online – a similar device to what astronauts use in space -- and use it while diving in underwater caves. During the pandemic, my hobby was not interrupted and due to the proximity of many caves in Florida, I was able to travel by car to use cave diving as a stress reliever without any added risk from COVID-19. I was able to take two very intense training courses throughout the pandemic while adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Atrium Health guidance, which provided me reprieve from the pressure of COVID-19. Instead, I enjoyed the pressure of submerging into an incredible underwater world hundreds of feet below the surface.” - Garth McClune, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Manager—Oncology Research, Clinical Trials, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Insitute
____________________________________________________________________
“I started to listen to audiobooks on the way to work and on the way home. I usually picked light, fun, uplifting books so that this new distraction put me in a happy place as I entered the building and as I entered my home. This became such a great way to just feel better. I started listening often, like when I fold clothes, do dishes or work in the yard. The result is a tremendous education, and I have now listened to over 150 books.” -Patricia L. Purcell, CLS, MBA, FACHE, Laboratory Director, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center