Christmas in the ICU
A Message for Patients and Families
If you’re reading this from an ICU waiting room, you’re doing something hard. You showed up. You stayed. That matters.
Today might not look like Christmas. The day can feel slow, loud, confusing, and unfair. Machines beep. Plans change. Updates come in pieces. You may feel calm one minute and wrecked the next. That’s normal.
Here’s what I hope you remember today:
Your presence helps, even when you don’t know what to say.
It’s okay to take breaks. Eating, sleeping, and stepping outside are part of staying strong.
You don’t need to understand every number on the screen to be a good advocate.
If you want something practical to do today, try this:
Ask the bedside nurse or provider these three questions:
What are the main goals for the next 24 hours?
What would make today a “good day” medically?
What signs would mean we’re moving in the right direction?
Then write the answers down. It helps when you’re tired. It also helps when different family members rotate in.
If your loved one is awake, even a little, simple is best:
“I’m here. You’re safe. We’re taking it one step at a time.”
If your loved one is sedated, talk anyway. Familiar voices can still matter:
“It’s Christmas. I love you. I’m staying close.”
And if you’re carrying guilt, fear, or anger today, you don’t need to fix it in one sitting. Just get through the next hour. Then the next.
Merry Christ mas. You’re not failing because this is hard. This is hard because it matters.