Nurse Won't Let Preexisting Condition Stop Her: Lexington Hero

LEXINGTON, MA — Each day that Stephanie Wilson wakes up for her shift as a nurse at Lahey Hospital, she's unsure whether she'll be placed on a floor tending to coronavirus positive patients.

The risk of exposure scares her and knowing she is more susceptible to complications with the virus because of a preexisting condition only adds to the anxiety. Despite all that, she puts on her scrubs and heads to the hospital anyway.

Wilson has Type 1 Diabetes. It's something she and her family and friends think about each day she works on the front lines. Wilson's best friend, Lydia Gold, told Patch that Wilson's drive to continue serving her patients makes her a hero.

"She continues to show up for work every shift and do everything she can to take care of her patients at Lahey," Gold said.

The pair met in first grade at Hastings Elementary School and have been inseparable ever since. With the stay-at-home order in place and social distancing guidelines to practice, Gold said most of their interactions lately have been over FaceTime or Snapchat. Gold is in awe of Wilson's positive attitude toward her situation.

"I don't know how she does, it, I would be freaking out," Gold said, "She takes it on with such grace."

While Wilson isn't always on a COVID-19 designated floor, there are days she could be assigned to one, and with the number of COVID-19 positive patients increasing, Gold said it seems likely Wilson's floor will be converted soon. Gold and her family got their hands on some donated N95 masks and gave them to Wilson to stay safe — Gold said she worries about the shortage of effective personal protective equipment for nurses like Wilson.

There hasn't been enough data yet to show whether people with diabetes are more likely to get COVID-19 but according to the American Diabetes Association, the problem lies in higher rates of serious complications or death.

"In general, people with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications when infected with a virus," the ADA website reads.

But Gold said Wilson is the type of nurse to put her patients first. The friends joke that Wilson knows everyone in town because anywhere she goes, she stops to chat with a neighbor, a colleague or an old patient.

"She's had patient's families come back to bring her gifts and thank her," Gold said, "She is just the most caring and compassionate person."

Gold said ever since they were in elementary school, Wilson knew she wanted to be a nurse and work in health care. Her frequent trips to the school nurse to check her blood sugar levels gave her a unique connection to the career. And even in the face of a global pandemic, Gold said Wilson faces her days with an attitude of "We're all in this together — this is what I have to do."

Gold applauds Wilson's endless stride into her career, knowing she is just as afraid as her neighbors. "It's bravery — she's scared because she knows the risks but she goes in anyway to do her job," Gold said, "I just want her to know how proud I am of her and how much I love her."

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