Written By Ivan Mahimbi
ivanmahimbisiuc@gmil.com
It was Sunday midmorning at 8:45 when I and my young sister, Jane were surrounding our mother, who was in critical condition, lying in her bed in the hospital. We were determined to learn the diseases she was suffering from. Then, suddenly, the medical doctor arrived in the ward, trying to talk directly to her.
Doctor: Good morning,
Mother: Good morning.
Jane and I: Good morning, Doctor.
Doctor: Good morning, beautiful kids. Please stay outside. I want to talk with your mom. Is that okay with you?
Jane and I: Yes, Doctor
Shortly
after we had left the room, the doctor started speaking to Mom
Doctor: Mom, the diagnosis report
shows that you have cervical cancer, which is caused by the virus known as Human
Papillomavirus (HPV).
Mother: Ooh! My God
Doctor: Up to now, it’s very clear
that you had a very weak immune system, which failed to fight the HPV infections, thus causing death of some blood cells and which has resulted in cancer. And I am sorry that you could not discover its symptoms earlier on.
Because the earlier you get diagnosed with cancer, the better are chances
of getting healed.
Mother: Ouch! It’s clear now that I
am going to die. In fact, I am already a dead person.
Doctor: Do not be afraid, we are trying every
possible way for you to recover.
Mother: Ooh! Please help me, God
Doctor: There are three types of treatment offered
for that problem in this hospital. The first one is Trachelectomy, which involves
the removal of the cervix but leaving you with the uterus. The second treatment is
Radiotherapy: here we use radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor.
Finally, there is chemotherapy, which involves the use of drugs and injections.
Therefore, you need to choose which treatment you would prefer or is more
affordable to you.
Mother: I think I will take drugs and
injections.
Doctor: Ok! But here are the real
challenges. First, drugs aren’t available in the hospital, and the hospital outsources specialists for administering radiotherapy and Tracheectomy treatments. Thus, you may have to wait for the next two days before the treatment
commences. But for now, we are going to take you to the intensive care unit
(ICU) to receive intensive care while waiting for the specialist.
Mother: Yes, Doctor, I have understood
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