Neeja Bakshi @NeejaB Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Neeja Bakshi

5 months

What it means to take leave in medicine - As we continue to see the decimation of healthcare in AB, we should anticipate more and more physicians needing to take leaves due to stress and burn out.

15

100

353

Last Seen Profiles

@JunoTheGoblin

@pretty_maddie12

@magnum69420

@varusarath

@Lenslinger

@ilovey007

@good1998goodd

@A_1_3_x_

@ParlonsNBA

@LonnrothSofia

@mohan_chothan95

@rzskyi

@Mass70491225

@J_Immekus35

@Mitra_lawyer

@Mqz53

@multiversegifs

@rhoofh91

@Leuonis

@Heyman_Wiseman

@bokeplokalmalam

@NoelFritsch

@NAChristakis

@yannanajae

@Ilha__TV

@lamentingego

@Pizarro1478

@cC7Fu96YVY1jY7U

@lalibrebe

@Animetas1

@BlackBDick

@K18670

@lovewxnn

@Hjj__i

@bokeplokalmalam

@PNacionalJoven

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Trigger warning: COVID death. Hi Jane. This is Dr. Bakshi calling from Edmonton. I am not sure if you're aware, but your mom Anne was admitted to the COVID ward about 2 hours ago. I'm calling because she is not doing well, and will likely not survive the day."

616

5K

16K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

A very long - Long COVID thread. Our Long COVID program has been open 10 months now. I've seen over 150 patients in that time, with new referrals booking well into February 2023.

179

2K

7K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Long COVID. It's been 11 weeks since my outpatient team and I opened our Long COVID clinic. In that time, I've had the privilege to meet so many people with such powerful, sad, and gut-wrenching stories.

118

2K

7K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

I have reached the point in my outpatient clinic where 90% of the patients I now see are Long COVID patients.

179

2K

6K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

I am not well. My healthcare colleagues are not well. Not only is our system collapsing, but so are the humans who are trying to hold it up.

125

1K

6K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

14 months in, we are that point where COVID deniers are coming in with severe infection, openly admitting participation in freedom and anti-mask rallies. /1

294

2K

5K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

*names changed to protect privacy. Events are very real.*

187

177

5K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Today, another 34 families went through this just from COVID. How may others went through this over the last 4 weeks since surgeries have been cancelled? How many deaths will be acceptable, @jkenney @JasonCoppingAB before we see a #FirebreakAB

36

467

5K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

She closes her eyes. Jane asks me to stay with her mom, and wishes to remain on the iPad. We sit in silence for 30 minutes, until Anne takes her last breath. This is one story. Of so many I re-live often. Of COVID robbing families of good byes.

29

252

5K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

For the first time in my own career as an internal med doc, I've seen the day where my colleagues can no longer safely admit patients from the ER.

90

1K

5K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

She points to her lips, and then to her belongings. I walk over and find hot pink lipstick in her bag. I bring the lipstick to her, and she pulls off her oxygen mask and says, in gasping breath: "If I'm dying today, I'm dying beautifully, with my lipstick on. Hand me a mirror."

13

221

4K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Calling all essential workers. Show us what it looks like to be #RunningOnEmpty Our leaders cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the truth. I'll start. Post COVID Unit Shift this weekend. RT and share.

187

921

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Unless you're living with Long COVID or treat LC regularly... Please be mindful of how you speak about long COVID. It is real. It is devastating. And it is not psychosomatic. Saying it again for policy makers, naysayers, and unfortunately, some of my MD colleagues. #LongCovid

160

701

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Dear Protestor who chose to protest outside a hospital: Do you know what it's like to be a healthcare worker right now?

104

445

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

4 years

On my 12th hr on #yeg COVID unit, the bridge of my nose raw from N95 due to extremely ill patients, exhausted is no longer enough to describe this feeling. Patients fine 1 minute, then unpredictably crashing. @jkenney @shandro what more evidence do you need to act? #COVID19AB

147

881

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

As we see more Long COVID patients, we are adapting our intake to reflect common patterns we have been noticing.

73

718

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Received handover for the COVID unit I take over tomorrow. What stuck out (besides how young patients are), is how much ICU level care we are providing on a non-ICU ward. So when you hear ICU numbers tomorrow, add another 25-30%, and that'll let you know how truly dire it is.

74

769

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

"JANE LOVES YOU. ALL OF THE GRANDKIDS LOVE YOU." Anne looks up at the iPad and says "Jane. Don't fight over my pearls."

3

128

3K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

In a particularly sad case recently, a patient said to me- "I didn't think COVID was anything more than a cold. I laughed at masks. Now I'm here. And my dad is dead. And my mom is in an ICU. This isn't a cold."/3

46

733

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Through her tears, Jane responds: Yes. I'm so sorry for hanging up on you. I was shocked. I didn't even know she wasn't well, I spoke to my mom two days ago. I am in BC. I won't make it in time, will I? "I don't think so, Jane. I am so sorry.... Jane, tell me about your mom."

6

122

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Jane takes a deep breath: Mom is a fierce and spunky 75 year old with the spirit of a 30 year old. She loves to dress to the nines and is always laughing. And always told us she wanted to die on her own terms.

2

115

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

...deafening silence....followed by a chilling shriek.... Tears... Gasping for air trying to form words... Phone clicks. 5 minutes pass, and I call again. "Hi, Jane. I know that was a lot to take in."

4

135

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

This last week and the two years upto this has been a lot. After talking with my family, it's time to take a Twitter/advocacy sabbatical. I've loved my role here, but my mental health comes first. Stay safe everyone. Much love. ❤️

131

27

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

In an interview this morning, I was asked how I was coping with yesterday's announcement. I cried. I walked down the hall of my clinic to check in on my docs. No one is well. No one has slept. We have gotten to "acceptable loss of life." We are not okay. #covid19AB

57

508

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

The divisiveness of this pandemic is ugly. Brings out the worst in so many. But at the end of the day, the human suffering is deafeningly unifying. #covid19AB

71

281

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

When you tell me that "those vaccines are killing people," I see you. When I explain that we are giving you steroids, oxygen, antibiotics and monitoring you very closely, I see you.

47

437

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Anne looks at me, deep into my eyes, and mouths "When?" Today.

4

117

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

"Jane, your mom is awake, and as fierce as ever. But her oxygen saturations are down to 80%, and we have her maximal oxygen. She does not wish to be placed on a ventilator, and this sounds consistent with what you've told me about mom. Would you like me to arrange Zoom?"

4

119

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Moments later, her oxygen dropped, and so mask went back on, and Jane came through the screen to say goodbye to Anne. Through the hissing of the machines, and the ziplock bag covering the iPad, Anne couldn't hear her daughter. So, I yell-translated.

5

118

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

We have normalized trauma. We have normalized working beyond our capacity. We have normalized unsafe work environments in the name of healthcare martyrdom.

24

462

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

The UCP is asking why we don't have 1000 ICU beds because they don’t want you thinking about why we would *need* 1000 ICU beds.

39

455

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

My heart breaks for those that don't get to "turn off the news" because it's happening to them.

10

248

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

"YOUR OXYGEN IS NOT GOOD. YOUR LUNGS ARE TIRING OUT. THERE IS NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO..... (and with a giant deep breath, I yell) ANNE. YOU'RE DYING."

1

130

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

This is the face of defeat. And anger. We care deeply for our trade. For being able to provide standards of care to our patients. Right now, we can't do that. Because @jkenney puts self-preservation over the health and wellbeing of this province. My colleagues, I see you♥️

88

303

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

We find the iPad, get it connected through a blurry screen, and don PPE. I go in to talk to Anne about her condition before I connect Jane. With the high flow oxygen + non rebreather mask we have on Anne to give as much support as we can, I have to yell so she can hear me.

1

113

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

My wish. May you never have to tell someone, who is fully mentating, holding your hand, that there is nothing left to do, that this virus has won, and that it is a matter of hours. I will never forget the eyes of these patients. I have never hated an illness so much. #Covid19AB

75

307

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Jane: Yes. Please. I need 10 minutes to get myself together. Do I have 10 minutes?

2

101

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

After 2.5 years, we have only begun to scratch the surface of Long COVID, and understand its impact on individuals. I fear we will continue to underestimate its impact on our province, our nation and truly the world. #LongCovid

33

299

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

None of us have the answer. But if you've heard that the system has survived a stress test and "it's not that bad"- please know that this is not the truth. Ask any one who has a role in healthcare what their definition of collapse is. Then ask them if they're currently living it.

41

271

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

As Jane begins sobbing again: Doc, there's really nothing you can do? Can I see her? What will I say to her? Is she awake?

2

101

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

What I've learned... There are definite patterns. Dysautonomia/POTS. Cognitive dysfunction and brain fog. PEM (post exertional malaise). Unexplained rashes. Muscles feeling like cement. Migraines. Chest pain. So much chest pain. Shortness of breath.

23

270

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Who I've seen.... Humans of all ages. 21 through 87. All demographics. Previously healthy. Previously not healthy. Teachers and healthcare workers. So many teachers and healthcare workers. Athletes. Non athletes. It's non-discrimnatory.

9

239

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Barriers I've discovered - insurance. Insurance. Insurance. Insurance. Pages and pages of forms, minimizing my judgement, experience and clinical knowledge.

4

174

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

And like a broken record, I'll say it again. Prevention is the answer. Over and over. Prevention. #LongCovid

29

273

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Tonight is a night worth breaking my twitter-hiatus. Growing up in a rural Pennsylvania town, I would have never imagined an East Indian Mayor. Let alone two in the same province. @AmarjeetSohiYEG and @JyotiGondek - congratulations! This POC feels so seen tonight ♥️😭

24

147

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Omicron and messaging. Can we PLEASE stop perpetuating that it is "mild?" It underplays severity and invalidates experiences. Signed, A COVID+ person who does NOT have mild symptoms. #covid19AB

52

257

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Fighting tooth and nail to have claim adjusters understand that "pushing through" and excessive functional assessments for the patient is contraindicated in patients with long COVID and ME/CFS.

3

156

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Alexa, define entitled white privilege please. 👇🏾

Courtney Theriault

@cspotweet

2 years

"They're the most discriminated against group that I've ever witnessed in my lifetime." Danielle Smith says unvaccinated people have suffered greater discrimination than those based on race, gender, sexuality and other. #Yeg #Yyc #ableg

3K

5K

15K

130

213

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Dear Alberta, That pit you feel in your gut? I feel it too. Because our government has left us on our own.

23

209

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Think about that. A virus that some still call "just the flu" or "mild symptoms"- resulting in an inability to continue one's livelihood.

15

265

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

4 years

"it's just the flu." "We have this many in ICU this time of year anyways." "They have comorbidities, can you really blame covid for their death?" Having worked a decade at RAH, I can tell you I've never cried as much as I did today while seeing COVID patients. #COVID19AB

51

252

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

But the vast majority of Long COVID patients are in this purgatory. Not knowing which way their life is going to go. Is this the best it's going to be? Am I one illness away from going back to where I started? Will I be able to work again? Will I feel normal again?

5

217

2K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

For this is often the 1st time they've realized that: It's Not. All. In. Their. Head. And 180 patients later, this still catches my breath each & every time. Thank you to the LC community for working w/ me, having patience as we learn together, & trusting me along the way.

12

127

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Post call delirium is setting in, so while I'm still slightly coherent, I wanted to share my observations of the last 24-36 hrs-- much of which isn't going to be new information, but definitely underscores the ongoing slow decay of our healthcare.

58

414

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

What it's like to be a physician in AB right now? Helpless. Watching every aspect of the system be decimated piece by piece.

53

308

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

4 years

A thread. Day in The Life of a COVID ward doctor. Wake up, anxious of the unpredictability of the day. Start day, 7:30am. Survey ward, check how many new admissions, ward transfers, and deaths occurred overnight. Receive handover from overnight covering doc. Ensure PPE in check.

86

518

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Someone asked to speak to my boss, who surely would be a non-minority, non-woman doctor, unlike me. My boss is a proud minority woman. So is her boss. All the way up to @dryiu_verna 😁 Now what? 🤷🏾‍♀️

31

52

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

For the patient, it's not getting timely testing, timely results or having a family physician. It means waiting in the ED waiting room for 36 hours before being seen. It means being subjected to procedures and patient care in the middle of the hallway with no privacy or dignity.

12

122

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

The sadness was palpable. The silence was haunting. The realization that it didn't have to be this way was heavy./4

8

139

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

To my physician colleagues - I say this with the utmost empathy.. but... Can we please (PLEASE) stop labeling disease entities that we don't understand or have enough evidence for as psychosomatic?

29

177

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

And through all of this, trying to manage my own long COVID experience. Which has required pacing, reinvention of my chart note template to help cue the next question I was supposed to ask.

3

64

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Every patient I see is so incredibly unfortunate, and a very common sentiment is "I didn't think this would happen to me." /2

21

168

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

When we see the symbols of hatred freely flying in the air, safety is gone.

51

173

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

I was born, raised, trained and worked as a physician in the US. I had lived private healthcare for over 30 years.

30

379

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

@drdagly ❤️sending you love, Darren. In the past 2 mo. alone, I've been pushed against the hospital wall, called slurs, told to bleach my skin, been told I know nothing as a non-white woman doc. Showing up is getting harder to do. I stand with you. But we will have to have our limits too.

81

112

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

For the nurse, it's being asked to work a 16 hr shift only to be back 8 hours later because there's not enough staffing. It's having patient to nursing ratios so high that you don't get to each patients care plan on time.

3

105

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

We added this because over 50% of patients I've seen so far have had to go on modified duties or short term disability due to severe brain fog, fatigue, or shortness of breath / chest pain.

12

216

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

We've talked about healthcare collapse a number of times over the years and I think it's important that collapse looks and feels different depending on where in the puzzle your piece fits.

5

142

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

Dear @jkenney - Do Something. Anything. Before your inaction forces physicians into making decisions we will never recover from. Begging and pleading. On behalf of all Albertans. #COVID19AB

40

265

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

1 year

If you're happy with @ABDanielleSmith and the UCP outcome, or don't think it will actually impact your life.. you are living in the worst kind of privilege-- ignorance.

262

213

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

And friends, this is where we are today. My colleagues have had to say no. Because it is unsafe. Untenable. Unsustainable.

4

99

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

10 months in, some of my patients have been able to be discharged, feeling almost close to pre -COVID health. Some have gotten COVID again, which worsens their symptoms and we start everything from scratch.

2

116

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

I let my patients know at the beginning of their long covid assessment, that the 90 minutes allotted is not only for them, but for me... As I will undoubtedly require the time and space to fully stay on task.

1

51

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

I am on my break. I swear. And will return to my break. But. My daughter just said "If he doesn't want people to get sick, why is he telling kids to not wear masks?" ........

32

98

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

These are the # of referrals I've received today between 10am-4pm. It has been like this for weeks. I'm booking months out, & unlikely to be sustainable (unless I just move into my clinic). We need more resources and more LC clinics. We need our gov't to talk about it.

39

398

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Being a physician right now in AB - where being yelled at daily by patients while advocating for faster access to tests and other specialists for the same patients has become the norm. We are tired.

147

124

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

The emotional pain that comes with not being able to work is real - as is the grief of loss of identity - "I used to be able to do xyz."

9

100

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Replacing AHS leadership and those with institutional knowledge.. at a time where we are actively imploding in both acute care and primary care.. seems like a poorly thought out plan, @ABDanielleSmith ....

89

163

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Comprehensive educational documentation with personalized recommendations for each patient as info is often overwhelming, esp with brain fog. Treatment aimed at both "Band-Aid toolbox" to help quality of life and "Root cause" looking at immunomodulation, anti-inflammation.

4

65

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Security from scarcity is a key social determinant of health, and unless we begin to truly acknowledge the widespread impact long COVID will have on micro and macro systems- we will continue to see negative health outcomes for generations.

3

167

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

For the physician, it's not being able to provide safe patient care because you've got 25 acutely ill patients all needing your attention at the same time. It's being called from every angle to admit, transfer, accept when there's no space to even evaluate the patients.

2

99

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

4 years

This is MY hero. Because of him, I don't have to worry if my kids are looked after when I'm on the unit. Because of him, I am able to focus my attention on my patients. HCW families are equally heroic these last 9 months, unconditionally supporting us. Couldn't do this w/o him.

22

39

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Long COVID is not going anywhere. Validating experiences, supporting research, and continuing to highlight patient stories is critical right now.

5

133

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Albertans deserve equal access, affordable care, and to be able to sleep at night knowing that they won't have to choose between rent and a life-saving operation.

22

106

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

There is a bittersweet moment in the initial long COVID assessments I do with patients where this "a-ha" moment happens, and they tear up and say: "So this isn't in my head. I'm not imagining things."

15

133

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

But. Universal and public health care is STILL the most equitable and inclusive way to deliver care. Instead of looking at privatization options, lining pockets of corporations and the 1%, our government must invest in the public system.

3

159

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

WE ARE STILL OVERCAPACITY.

16

212

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

We are not lying about COVID. We are not lying about the state of the healthcare system. We have nothing to gain despite many saying we do.

16

133

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

How did we go from "banging pots and pans in support of healthcare workers" to "please do everything to not identify as a healthcare worker for your own safety?" 1/2

20

185

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

BREAKING NEWS! (No, COVID isn't gone. Yes, the hospital system is in disarray. No, our government hasn't suddenly decided to lead). MY NEW VELOUR TRACKSUIT ARRIVED. (I may have a problem. 😁) It's the small things ❤️ #selfcare #RunningOnEmpty

73

10

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Nursing and physician check ins. Regularly. Reflective listening, validation, and commiseration. Continuously reading, searching, hoping to find next breakthrough or tool that can be used.

3

47

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

The 15 minute buffers I have to place throughout my day to regain the line of questioning and follow through needed that comes with each individual's Long COVID story.

2

40

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

3 years

When we see the hospital numbers today and think "Well ICU is holding steady, that's good news." This is normalization of trauma... Because in reality, things are not okay. Surgeries are cancelled. We are into more surge space than we have ever been, ICU and non-ICU.

18

221

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

1 year

I just finished 14 days in a row of acute care inpatient service - and besides the incredibly complex & sick patients I cared for, I also was gifted with the following statements:

176

169

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

I've had to stop accepting other internal medicine referrals, just so I can keep up with the demand, the follow ups, the downstream effect.

3

56

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

How my clinical process has evolved.... Pre-appt screening tests, quality of life scores, functional assessment scores. During appointment visual aids to help understand possible pathophysiology.

3

53

1K

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

The sheer volume of population that will be affected by this is incredible, and highlights the need for physicians, employers, and insurers to take this seriously.

2

107

996

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Not being able to work due to brain fog and cognitive delays. Not being able to complete the 6 minute respiratory walk test due to fatigue, high heart rates, and chest tightness.

8

113

991

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

2 years

Dear patient, I know you are scared, worried, and even frustrated. You either have a diagnosis and are waiting critical treatment, or you are still waiting for the specialist/tests/procedures that can give you those answers. The wait is excruciating. 6-12 months. Of uncertainty.

20

219

994

Neeja Bakshi

@NeejaB

10 months

It's hearing the brunt of frustration from both ends, the patient and the physicians.

1

63

1K