ISRRT_COVID-19_book

environment I was used to working in. Although I felt socially isolated from the main team, I
could communicate with colleagues who were also in the reporting room. I worked closely
with one of my colleagues who was also moved away from the frontline. There was a
significant reduction in the number of MSK cases to report, therefore we helped to update
documents like the imaging protocols. The main highlight for me was when a consultant
radiologist gave me a Crème Egg. I thought this was a very kind gesture.
When I was 22-23 weeks pregnant, I began having contractions. I was told that nothing would
be done to save my baby if he was born at this stage because 24 weeks is the threshold for
viability. I attended the hospital’s maternity unit again a couple of days later because I was
having continued pain. My manager was at the Nightingale Hospital, so I wrote him a letter
to explain what had happened and enclosed my sick note in an envelope. As I left the
department, I thought about the uncertainty I faced; I did not know if I would return to work
after maternity leave with a healthy baby.
A few months into my maternity leave, I received messages from some of my colleagues
informing me about a Clinical Tutor vacancy. They thought it would be the ideal role for me.
I decided to apply for the position, and I was invited for an interview. As I walked into the
hospital on the interview day, the uncertainty from months ago had disappeared and I felt
blessed to have a baby at home.
I noticed a lot of changes. Everyone had to wear a surgical mask upon entry to the hospital.
There were no cups of water in the interview room. Technology was being utilised to
overcome the challenges of social distancing. One of the interviewers attended via Microsoft
Teams. It felt strange not being able to see faces which made it difficult to pick up on
unspoken cues to see if the answers I gave were along the correct lines.
I wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before I returned to work. It took me a while to
decide if I wanted to take the vaccine because I am still breastfeeding my son. The nurses who
vaccinated me fully explained the risks and benefits. I have already had 2 doses of the Pfizer
vaccine. I had no side effects after the first dose, but I had quite a bad endometriosis flare up
after my second dose. In my opinion the benefits outweigh the risks.
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