I was one of the first Headwaters staff members diagnosed with COVID-19, I was scared for my life, for my family, and for my colleagues. During the first 10 days, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be okay.
First, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Rhonda and I have been an Registered Practical Nurse at Headwaters for 17 years! I love my job and I look forward to going to work each and every day. I am a proud community member having lived here for more than 40 years. My father, my sister and my sons all have a businesses here. I am truly proud to call Orangeville my home.
I am writing to you today to tell you about my experience with COVID-19 and how it affected me, my family and our local Hospital. It was early March and COVID-19 was new to us all. At that time, we didn’t have any positive cases. But, we were aware of the situation and we acted fast to take precautions where we could.
At the end of March, everything changed. We had our first positive case on the floor I worked on and working with COVID-19 became our new reality. We needed to ensure our patient received the best possible care; the same promise we make to every patient who arrives at Headwaters in urgent need of treatment. Whether it’s COVID-19 that brings them here or a different illness or injury, we’re always ready to help. That’s thanks, in large part, to the generosity of our community. We rely on our community to help equip our hospital with the tools and resources we need to care for you, your family and the residents of Dufferin-Caledon.
When I was first diagnosed, it ended up infecting two of my children who both got really sick. For close to 10 days I felt like I couldn’t move - I had a fever, no sense of taste or smell, fatigue, extreme sinus congestion, aches and pains and there were days I wasn’t sure what the end result was going to be. We all had to isolate for over 14 days and luckily we were all able to recover and when it was safe to do so, I returned to work.
And now, as we stand on the front lines in the face of this crisis, working relentlessly to help our community, your support has never been more important.
Your gift of $25, $50, $100, or any amount you wish to give, will be put toward the
most urgent hospital priorities.
My colleagues and I are so proud to work here and we deeply appreciate all of the incredible support, both financial and emotional we’ve received. The donations and heartfelt messages on social media keep us strong and remind us that we are not alone. Our entire community is by our side.
Today, I hope you’ll stand with us by making a special gift to Headwaters. Your gift will support our COVID-19 Response, but also our most urgent needs across the Hospital, including equipment for Obstetrics, the Emergency Department and Diagnostic Imaging. Together, we’ll come out of this crisis stronger than before.
With my sincerest gratitude,
Rhonda McMann
Registered Practical Nurse
Headwaters Health Care Centre