“When the pandemic hit, it changed the whole atmosphere,” Lauren Brown said.
“You didn’t think it would ever happen here, and then when it all started, it was kind of like a whirlwind,” Lacie added.
The 21-year-old fraternal twins graduated from Oklahoma City College in December. They quickly got a job, and the nurses now worked at the ICU at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, treating critically ill and Covid-19 patients.
To say that twins are inseparable is humble.
“We never had to get into any situation,” Lauren said.
In high school, they acted in the same sports, went to the same college for their undergraduate studies, and now both are earning a master’s degree in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
“We’ve always had each other. I can’t imagine it any other way; it just sounds lonely,” Lacie interrupted in an interview with CNN.
The twins became very interested in the medical field and decided to become nurses when they were about 12 years old after the family experienced a health crisis.
“My brother Hunter was diagnosed with leukemia at 16,” Lacie explained.
The family spent a lot of time in the hospital, seeing first hand how compassionate and empathetic the nurse can do to help patients and their families heal.
“I just saw the influence of nurses that was really changing for me,” Lacie said.
“A sister is that person who is with you day in and day out to see that person recover.”
“It not only changed his life, it also changed our whole family,” Lauren added.
Their brother, now in complete remission, also works as a nurse.
For the Browns, helping patients – and their loved ones – is a family business.
“I think it’s very important to find that connection. They need someone to hold hands and go through it just like the sisters did for our family,” Lacie said.
In this together
Frontline nurses around the world acknowledge the physical and emotional tribute they have received from this pandemic. Both Lauren and Lacie say the experience is stressful, but they attribute strength to each other to continue.
“We don’t have to explain it, we could just go through it together,” Lacie said.
“We’re embedded best friends and I can’t imagine it any other way,” Lauren agreed.
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