Overcoming fears is a challenge every person faces at least once in their lifetimes. For many of the frontliners of the Novel CoronaVirus, or COVID-19, it is a daily occurrence. Everyday, doctors are waking up with fear–fear for themselves, fear for their patients, fear for their families, fear for the world–and everyday they overcome those fears and get to work.
Personal Protective Equipment on and hope held high, Gellina Suderio is one of those many doctors. A Junior Consultant at the Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Piñas, the pediatrician has been part of her hospital’s surge team. She goes on 24-26 hour shifts every three days, handling ER patients specifically the suspect and probably pediatric COVID patients.
Being a doctor is only one aspect of her life. Gellina is also a mother of two, a 5-month old named Emilio and a 31-month old named Noelle. Since becoming a frontliner, cautiousness about health and cleanliness–both personal and in the home–have taken center stage in her role as mother. Before coming home from each shift, Gellina takes a bath in the hospital, changes to clean clothes, and disinfects both herself and her bags with the misting tent provided by the hospital.
When she arrives at her home, she leaves her shoes outside, heads straight to the bathroom to take another shower, and then changes to another clean set of clothes. The clothes she wears at the hospital and to come home are left outside and are immediately washed. All this is done to allay her fear of bringing the virus home to her family.
Gellina and Noelle.
Apart from this measure, Gellina is trying to ensure her family’s health through supplements and good health practices. “We continue taking our supplements including vitamins for the kids,” she says “Mega-Malunggay because it has vitamin C already, Mega-Mangoesteen, and HealthAid Bifina S (R for my toddler). More importantly, we continue eating healthy, stay hydrated, and practice proper hand washing.”
Hygiene, of course, has become more important than ever before, knowing that the virus can hit anyone, when it is least expected, and even to those who already observe the best hygiene practices. One of her colleagues contracted, fought, and won his battle against COVID-19. “Like a typical doctor, ‘matiisin’ type even if not feeling well already,” she shares. “My friend continued his duty despite having symptoms (at first he never thought this was it, less cases at that time). He thought it was just a bad bug, a flu. Then symptoms progressed, and he had to be admitted to the ICU and be on ventilator support… He said it was a humbling experience, being the patient and not the health care provider.”
Gellina and her little boy.
Experiences like this have made Gellina more reflective. Now, more than ever, Gellina finds the purpose of being a mother. “I can say that this pandemic has made my motherhood journey more meaningful. I became more loving, hard- working and compassionate (for my family and the patients), and more hopeful that my children will be able to enjoy the outdoors again, go to school, grow up in an environment where they can blossom,” she says.
In her home, when not on duty, Gellina is focused on family time, more home cooked meals, more playtime together, and more cuddles and hugs. Just some of the little everyday occurrences that Gellina is reminding herself not to take for granted and to be thankful. These little things both inspire her and make facing her fears worth the while; the little things that make her stronger to face all the uncertainty that still lies ahead.
“Life doesn’t get easier,” she says “but we get the chance to be stronger and more resilient with this experience.”
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