After more than a year-long battle protecting its most vulnera­ble residents against COVID-19, Lexington Medical Lodge in Farmersville has emerged hope­ful about the future.

Two certified nursing assis­tants who have worked at Lex­ington, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center in Farmersville, during the height of the crisis admit to times of stress and heartache as they have cared for patients who were shut off from direct contact with their loved ones.

These women say that they, like all the other employees, in effect became surrogates fill­ing in for family members who couldn’t be there to hold the hands of Lexington residents.

Lexie Ratcliff lives in Princ­eton and works at the facility on an as needed basis. She has been a certified nursing assistant for about two years.

“It was emotionally tough, especially at first when it first hit,” Ratcliff said.

 Ratcliff recalled the sign erected this past year in front of the Lexington Medical Lodge that proclaimed that “Heroes Work Here.” However, the CNA said she does not consider her­self a hero.

For the full story, see the Apr. 8 issue or subscribe online.

By John Kanelis • [email protected]