Today, I had a look at my life and I am so grateful for the life that I have. Yes, sure I have ups and downs, but not nearly as much as others.
My aunt slipped into a coma last night. She was admitted to the Helen Joseph hospital, now most of you will know, that it is a government hospital. I believe it is shocking. Today she was moved to the Jo’burg Gen as they needed to operate and required the expertise of a neurosurgeon. I arranged to meet my mom at the hospital, she really needed some support.
My aunt (moms sister) is really less fortunate than most people I know, probably due to the choices she has made. They are very, very poor – hence the reason she was admitted to a government hospital.
I found my way to the Jo’burg Gen and I was amazed at how big the place was. I was instructed to go to the blue block, which I did. Driving into the parking lot was a nightmare, it is filthy, dark and smelly, needless to say I parked near the lift. As I stepped out of the lift I was shocked to see the conditions of the passages, I could not believe that I was actually in a hospital. I am very privileged as I have only been exposed to Private Hospitals.
The family eventually got together and we were told to go to the casualty section, which was on the other side of the corridor – a good 800 m. We arrived there only to be told that she will be sent straight to the ward when the ambulance arrived. We tracked back to the same ward. At least I got a good work out.
She arrived about an hour later. They had given her a hospital gown, which looked like a rat had gotten hold of it, probably had. It was awful to see her lying on the stretcher lifeless and pale. I had to fight back the tears for my moms sake and my cousin. She was put in a little room as they had no beds available. About three hours later the Doctor’s arrived. Now, I say Doctors as there were about five of them and the reason for that is because it is a training hospital. They all stood around her bed, quite like they do in Grey’s Anatomy – okay so there was no Mc Dreamy (damn).
My uncle asked one of the Doctors what the diagnosis was and what we could expect. The Doctor could barely speak English, which obviously sent everyone’s blood pressure sky high. A few mo’s later another Doctor came to explain what had happened and what they were going to do. She had blood clots due to a knee op (long story) and they medicated her to thin the blood but she had been given to much meds causing the blood to thin too much and basically seep into her body. The only reason the blood has not leaked out is because it is protected by the skin. It was decided that she needed a blood transfusion and if the blood thickened then they would operate. She has severe bleeding on the brain and because the blood is too thin, they cannot operate as she will bleed to death.
My mom, uncle and I decided to leave her with her husband and daughter so they could have some quality time together before they started the procedures. We went to say our goodbye’s and lo and behold, she woke up. Yes, she opened her eyes and looked around. Unfortunately, she cannot communicate as that part of her brain has been affected. It was such a joyous moment for us all. Happy tears were shed.
On my way home my mom called to say my dad had been re-admitted to hospital for another blockage. He was in hospital last week and they discharged him on Sunday. She is positive he will be okay and they will do a range of tests tomorrow.
I am sad that my dad is back in hospital but I am so grateful that my parents are in a position to afford medical aid and that he is in a private hospital with Doctors that speak our lingo and staff that are willing and able to work.
You have no idea what it is like to visit someone in a government hospital, it is shocking.
Today, I looked at my life and I realized that I am grateful for the beautiful home that I have, for the car that I drive. I have decent food to eat, clothing to keep me warm, healthy children and a husband that is my ALL. My aunts family on the other hand are not so lucky, they have no medical, no jobs, no car, a one bedroom flat that sleeps 4 of them.
My cousin is awesome, she is a wonderful Christian and has the most amazing faith.
Count your lucky stars you are not in their boat.
Bless them!
May 10th, 2010 - 7:14 pm
Shame Leigh… Will keep them in my prayers!
Good luck with your dad as well. x x x
May 10th, 2010 - 7:58 pm
That´s is a shame that the healtcare system in the world is so poor in so many countries, I´m also thankful that we have a good healthcare system over here and am not sure if I would want to work at a place like you excribe there, as I´m taking 4 years in university to become a nurse, But sometime we need a moment like this (moment of truth) to see how blessed we are
I´ll be keeping your aunt and your father in my prayers:)
May 10th, 2010 - 10:20 pm
That place is awful… Lance’s mom was there for a heart condition a few years ago. It’s dreadful.
Hope she recovers!
May 11th, 2010 - 8:31 am
You guys are going through a really tough time. I will keep them in my prayers. I hear on Saturday that Pretoria Academic is aparently not so bad.
May 11th, 2010 - 12:54 pm
Shame that is so sad. Doesn’t also make you mad that our hospitals are in that state. I hope she recovers soon.
May 12th, 2010 - 1:39 am
I’m very grateful that I’ve never had to be admitted to a government hospital – my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
May 13th, 2010 - 1:06 pm
So sorry to hear this.
My sister gave birth at the JHB Gen… and it was not pretty. Her baby was born in a room with six other ladies having their babies at the same time… there was no linen on her bed and she was never told to bring anything for the baby… so she borrowed a blanket that she covered Tayla with…. although my sister had heart failure, she literally walked out of the hospital the following morning. No discharge or anything. She just left.
May 13th, 2010 - 5:11 pm
So sad. I am a Physio and I volunteer at a special needs school on the Westrand. It breaks my heart every week that I go, which is why I only volunteer… I couldn’t possibly do the job every day, it would kill me emotionally.
These poor children have both physical and mental disabilities, and to top it all, come from such poor backgrounds, that they are usually fed at school!
We all have a lot to be thankful for, and sometimes, its good to have a nudge at how the other half live, to remind us of our blessings.
I hope your dad and Aunt make a speedy recovery
May 13th, 2010 - 7:34 pm
Sho, hope your aunt and dad is ok. I haven’t been in a government hospital for many, many years but I just hear the stories our domestic worker tells and I am so happy that I have a medical aid, I don’t even complain about how much it is costing me every month.
May 14th, 2010 - 7:16 pm
Thanks ladies, she had an op and has come out of the coma. She seems to be doing a wee bit better
My dad is also on the road to recovery “yay” !!!