Claire McAvoy works in ICU in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and has been working long, tiresome shifts to ease the suffering of her patients.
Claire and her fiancé, Jordan, haven’t seen their families in ten weeks as they have been self-isolating over 100 miles away from their loved ones who live in Cumbernauld.
Despite the hardships, she thanks her job for keeping things in perspective.
Claire said: “It’s been really tough but I couldn’t do what I do without all of the team behind me, from doctors, physios and domestics to radiographers and porters. Everyone plays a part.
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“The other day we were sent a video of one of our first Covid patients getting discharged from the community hospital. He was getting clapped out and his daughter met him at the door. It gave me a huge boost and just makes it all worth it.
“ICU is strange because when patients are discharged from the ward, we often don’t see or hear from them so it’s really rewarding just now to finally get to see them getting home.
“A few have emailed in to send pictures and say ‘thanks’. It’s amazing to see them come out the other side.”
Claire and Jordan were due to get married on June 6 but have had to move their wedding date back twice and cancel their honeymoon to Santorini due to the crisis.
Claire said: “The wedding has been rescheduled to January so I might be a bit cold in my summer dress, but who cares. My fiancé works in a hotel so he’s trying to reschedule other people’s weddings while rescheduling his own!
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“It’s such a minor thing, though. As long as we’re happy and healthy.”
Billy, Claire’s dad, said: “Claire keeps making these big difficult decisions in her work life and her private life. We’re immensely proud of her.
“She’s putting her life at risk every day and is very aware that there’s a lot of pressure on her but she keeps stepping up to the mark.
“I’ll have to wait to welcome my new son in law into the family but it will be a wonderful day. Although I’ll have to make some references in my speech to the longest engagement in the world!”
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