Haven’t written for ages. Sorry, lots been happening. I have just got back from snowboarding as pete said and unfortunately the water is off again. At lunchtime today the electricity went off too and I thought I might die, but the electricity is back at least. I stink. Havent showered in a few days and am desperate to be washing the horrid powdered glove smell off my hands from todays work. Apparently the water should be fixed in a few days...we only have one sterile pack left in theatre for a caesarean so we’re keeping it for a super emergency. All other c/s will go to Mthatha.
I was frustrated today. I have a 6 y o boy who got a severe hot water burn to his left leg about 6 weeks ago. The burn was quite big (from tip of toe to bottom of ankle) and quite deep (involved tendons and outer ankle bone). He needed a skin graft. We sent him to Mthatha hospital and they kept him on the ward a few days then sent him back to us due to bed shortages and asked us to get the wound clean then they’d admit him again for a graft when wound was nice and clean and ready for surgery. So, I took him back, swabbed his manky foot, gave him appropriate iv antibiotics and 3 weeks later his wound looked beautiful and clean and pink, ready for graft. Then, I sent him back to mthatha in the ambulance. That was 2 weeks ago. I heard nothing more and assumed all was well. That was until today when the childs uncle who works at a nearby clinic brought a note from the childs mother saying that he went to mthatha hosp that day and they said because he arrived at noon it was too late to see a doctor so he should come back next Friday. So, they went home, slightly disgruntled at mthatha hosps care(quite right).
They have NO money so can’t get back to mthatha and the uncle tells me the wound is now full of pus again. So, back to square one. I put a lot of effort in to getting this child well for graft and it has all amounted to nothing. Apparently the family are now disillusioned and don’t want to go back to mthatha, and also if they turn up with a dirty wound they’ll be sent away cos to graft the wound needs to be clean. If they leave this foot it will get mankier and mankier and at best he’ll loose his right foot, at worst he’ll die from septicaemia (blood poisoning).
I despair. I asked the uncle to being the child to Zithulele so i could admit him again and start from scratch. He says he has no money to bring him and i should give him some. My gut feeling is i don’t trust him, so I didn’t give him any. I spoke to someone later who confirmed that that was a correct decision. Instead i told him to try to convince the mum to bring him to us...we have a dr who goes to Wilo clinic which is near him and he might be able to bring him back in his car next Tuesday. Watch this space. It rings true though “if you want something doing proper, do it yerself!” Unfortunately I can’t do a skin graft so will have to rely on incompentent others who have no conscience and are happy to simply send away patients who’ve travelled 1 ½ hrs, have no money and a clear need for medical attention. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh The frustration is massive
Where children are involved, everything seems so much worse. Having doubts concerning the uncle must make it worse again; little comfort in being correct in your instinct ref him. I don't know how to deal with other people's values when they seem so harsh ( hospital, govt., whoever)You can only do what you do so well. You know that is right, though it leaves you to deal with your own rage and impotence in a system which seems inhuman/ callous. You will never become unfeeling and it is this humanity and professionalism which will ensure you continue to do your best. How you prevent it all becoming overwhelmingly frustrating and maddening and depressing is another thing, dear Kim.Poor wee lad.
ReplyDeleteThe mammy said it all Kim.
ReplyDeleteFate conspires against some people.
Let's hope the little boy is one of the lucky ones and, if so, goes on to do something worthwhile with his life.
Continue in your determination to do your best. That's all anyone can ask of you and the little boy will know that you cared and did your best for him.
Shout long and hard.
Maybe someone in "authority" will eventually take note.
Look after yourself xx
I miss you and admire you in equal quantities sis. You're a star :)
ReplyDelete