Lorraine Bock’s faith keeps her going
Ms Bock holds onto her faith as a Christian to make it through each day and to stay positive for the sake of her colleagues and patients.
Ms Lorraine Bock (48), senior radiographer at Highveld Radiology, will never forget her first encounter with a patient who tested positive for Covid-19.
“It was the night of 17 March and I was working the night shift. There were a thousand emotions going through me. I was scared, sweating and nervous, because I had no idea what to expect.
“The wait was extra long and I was expecting to see a very sick person being wheeled in. I was surprised to see the woman walking in.
“Ms Bock has probably encountered more than 300 Covid-19 patients since.
“Covid is real. I see daily how terrible this virus is. I scanned a woman who crashed on our bed, but she died later in the ward and that shook me tremendously for now there is an empty home without a mommy.”
Ms Bock holds onto her faith as a Christian to make it through each day and to stay positive for the sake of her colleagues and patients.
“I am no longer full of fear because Jesus is with me, but God also gives us wisdom. I am not naive and callous. I am thankful for the personal protective equipment our doctors have supplied and I salute them and our team for what they have put in to keep us safe and to help the patients.”
At the beginning of the lock down, the staff prayed and made Psalm 23 their own. Ms Bock believes that all must be treated with love and dignity.
“They are all alone in their battles and we are the only people they have contact with for days. We should treat them with compassion and kindness, because someday it might be us or our loved ones who are in that situation.”
Ms Bock is extra cautious not to get infected or to spread the coronavirus to her husband and daughter.
“I head straight to the bathroom when I get home after a shift. There are no hugs and kisses first. Only when I am bathed, do I greet my family.”
As a radiographer, wife, mother and friend, Ms Bock wants to convey her gratitude by saluting her employers, Dr PS Dedekind, Dr E Gous and Dr J Adrigwe for their compassion towards all the staff.
“I thank all my colleagues for running this race in unity.
“To my husband and daughter, I am grateful for your support and understanding and prayers in this pandemic.
“To the community, thank you for all your prayers.
“I thank our heavenly Father for watching over us,” Ms Bock concluded.
