"Just going to hold his hand for a bit, I don't think he has long"

[dalton99a]

A photo from inside a Central Texas hospital gives a glimpse inside a hospital hall to see so vividly, and so painfully, the toll of the virus on patients and caretakers.

It is of nurse Colby Hutson, who wrote two simple sentences, never intended for a social media moment.

"Just going to hold his hand for a bit," he scrawled with a Sharpie. "I don't think he has long."

In full protective gear, Hutson, on duty at Ascension Seton Hays, was with a patient thought to have COVID-19.

He decided to stay in an isolation room longer than expected and wanted to tell his fellow nurses why.

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/nurse-photo-ascension-seton-hays-hospital-toll-of-covid-19/269-f4d87d61-c0fd-4769-bee3-067b53b1534a

[Liberty Belle]

1. Bless that nurse for caring and trying to bring what comfort he can;

how terrifying for people to die without family, but at least this patient may not be all alone at the end.

[Sunriser13]

2. A message of such love

This is the people on the front lines.

[bronxiteforever]

3. +100

[oasis]

4. I can't think of a situation that could be any sadder. nt

[brer cat]

5. Compassion and empathy.

I wish they were as contagious as Covid-19.

[iluvtennis]

15. +++++ agree. nt

[Mr.Bill]

6. My wife spent 40+ years in nursing, some of it in ICU.

She has always said making sure someone doesn't die alone is one of the more satisfying things a nurse can do. I know that sounds odd, but she spoke of it as almost an accomplishment, because it's not easy to do.

Does that make sense? I thought it was odd when she first told me that but she articulated it better than I can and I understood.

[Harker]

7. It makes perfect sense.

It's a beautiful accomplishment.

[MontanaMama]

9. That's beautiful.

Please thank your wife for her love and her work. My worst fear is to die in pain, alone. Your wife, and those like her are angels.

[Mr.Bill]

10. Thank you.

I think she's pretty special, too.

I should mention that her daughter, my stepdaughter, is the fourth generation nurse in their family.

[MontanaMama]

13. A legacy of love.

Thank you very much for sharing that.

[MAD Dave]

24. Cancer care & Palliative care Nurses are special.

I interacted with a few cancer care and palliative care nurses, when picking my kids up from daycare. Most days they looked like normal people but occasionally you could see in their faces that things had gone horribly wrong. They still acted normal but you could see their pain.

Long story shortened - I know that helping someone die is an amazing gift, I’ve seen it on the faces of nurses that have done it.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. ...

[liberalmuse]

11. This must be such a comfort for his family.

And other families who are hurting because they can't see their loved ones in ICU. What a beautiful thing to do for that person and for their family. This is humanity at it's saddest and it's best at the same time.

[Marie Marie]

12. I am so humbled by the compassion and dedication of all the healthcare workers

on the front lines of this nightmare. I honestly don't know if I could do it and I don't like admitting that to myself.

[catrose]

14. That's my hospital (the one insurance pays for). I'm glad there's nurses like that.

[pattyloutwo]

16. So kind

[crickets]

17. The level of compassion leaves me in awe.

Thank you nurses and all other medical staff for all of the wonderful, difficult things you do.

[marble falls]

18. I wouldn't last ten minutes as a nurse. They're all better than me.

[Duppers]

19. Brought tears.

The awesome kindness and compassion of strangers. 💕

[gademocrat7]

20. Thank you, Colby Hutson

for your dedication and kindness to patients afflicted with COVID-19.

[TNNurse]

21. I am in tears.

I worked hard to make sure no patient on my watch died alone. I never had to do it under these conditions. I would like to think that I would have done the same.

Many people have called nursing a calling. Neither my husband (41 years in CCU) nor I (37 years in several positions) ever thought of it that way. It was our job and our responsibility to do it well and with compassion.

We worked to be very organized so that you were in an isolation room for shorter periods. One reason was less exposure but the other that wearing all that protective equipment is HOT and harder to work in. These people are working in that for hours at a time.

Think of them, wish them well and safety.

[Kaiserguy]

22. A truly decent man

Meanwhile the Trump loving asshole are out trying to increase the death toll.

[Kali]

23. oh man

[Karadeniz]

25. This goes into his soul record...wonderful man!❤