Scroll down to read the full interview with Lina Soni, MD from the front lines.
1. How has the coronavirus affected your life? How has it affected the lives of your family and friends?
Coronavirus has affected my life deeply. By training, I am an Endocrinologist, but once we got insight of just how many patients would be affected by this I got pulled to cover wards and ICU shifts at our hospital which was deemed to be a COVID-only site. Knowing that my exposure level was going to be high, I knew I had to limit my interaction with my 1.5 and 3.5 year old daughters. My husband and I ultimately made the difficult decision to send our kids to Canada so they could be with my parents. Although I know my parents are spoiling them and showering them with love, it is so hard to be apart from them. Until now, my girls have never been away from both of us for even one day, so this was a huge decision for us. It's officially been one month (literally, today) since we've been apart and I miss them more than words can express, but ultimately know it was the best decision for their safety.
2. How are you staying calm and sane during your quarantine?
You know, besides from my day-to-day job being very different than my normal clinical duties and being away from my children, I think it's been otherwise relatively easy for me to stay sane because I still go into the hospital every day as I normally would. So I haven't really had much of a "quarantine" experience in that I haven't been cooped up at home like so many others. I feel fortunate that I have been able to continue working and really so grateful to have been able to serve during this heavy time. I think its important to recognize how big of an impact we on the frontlines have been having on so many families, they have so much faith in us right now that it provides a sense of calmness and pride.
3. How has COVID-19 affected your job?
If I do get a day off in-between ICU shifts, for example, I try to catch up on being an Endocrinologist by doing televisits from home, which is obviously very different than the norm of seeing patients in my clinic. But, it's worked. I think patient's have just been to touched to hear from me during this time, that they don't mind that the visit has to take place over the phone. I'm also lucky that most endocrine disorders can be managed and discussed over the phone -- while nothing can ever truly replace doing a history and physical with your patient in person, it is surprising how much we can accomplish over a thorough phone conversation.
4. How do you enjoy spending your time while in quarantine?
Again, I haven't had too much time actually being in quarantine, but on the intermittent days I have had off, I have found so much peace and solitude in doing puzzles. I love that the fully absorb me and allow to dedicate all my attention and focus on trying to find pieces that fit together, as simple as that sounds. It's been a sorts of mediation for me.
5. How are you staying positive and hopeful for the future?
The saying, "this too, shall pass," has never resonated deeper with me. I think we are all resilient and have faith that we'll all come out of this stronger. I keep reminding myself that tough moments in time never last forever.
Fun Facts:
3 things getting that changed your life this week
1) a 2000 piece puzzle my neighbors were kind enough to lend us
2) undereye concealer
3) hippeas organic chickpea puffs (SO good to snack on!)
First place you're going after quarantine: MONTREAL, CANADA TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN!!!!
I'm binge watching: Friends and Money Heist
I'm reading: New articles in journals as they come out with different perspectives on Coronavirus treatments, impacts, etc.
I'm cooking: my mother in-law's delicious tiramisu recipe
I'm trying to: FaceTime my kids as often as I can, but also not too much as to not make them start to feel sad and miss me, if that makes sense? It's a delicate balance that's so hard to explain. Take a bath on the days that schedule allows for -- it gives me some time to just be me, to be still and relax in the moment. It's a luxury I don't often get when my kids are home. I'm also trying to target my never-ending to-do list that I never usually have the time to get around to.
