Walking for longevity

The Hospital has a general information WhatsApp number that individuals from the public can contact inquiring about care. I am frequently approached about such-and-such a case. Can we accept their case? Can we provide them with care?

Jonary's family reached out last week. Jonary is 23 years old and had been in a traffic accident at the end of August, suffering fractures in three of his four limbs (bilateral femurs, left tibia/fibula, and left radius/ulna). His story, unfortunately, is all too common. He had been taken to a nearby clinic for care. He was denied due to lack of medical professional adequately trained to help him. He was referred to and subsequently taken to a different clinic. Again he was denied care, this time because he didn't live close by and he was referred back to the first clinic who had already denied him. The family tried a different clinic, this time he was accepted, but surgery couldn't be performed for at least 3 months... he would have to wait. It's a game of Pong we hear all too often. The patients diverted and deflected without the beneficence due them as a human being in need.

He finally, almost a week after his accident, was provided with stabilization of his extremities via bilateral long leg casts, and left arm casting. But as you can see in the xrays, reduction was not adequate in his legs. At 23 years old, his future of walking again, maybe even rejoining the work force, was uncertain and at best a distant dream.

Surgery for Jonary had just gotten underway this past Friday. I was struggling and at a moment of frustration, when Dra. Genesis entered the OR to present to me her patient; a small child who had a nance (a tree berry) stuck up their nose, and could I help? I remember disbelief and frustration being my primary two emotions in my response to her that they would have to wait until I had finished. Two femurs and a tibia later, and almost 5 hours had passed since the child with the stuck nance had passed my mind. Almost 7 hours had passed when the child finally did enter my mind again, at which time I frantically contacted Genesis about the whereabouts of the child. She reassured me that if the child had been waiting for me, she would have made sure I was aware. Rather than wait for me, she had referred the patient to an ENT in the closest city. Diverted and deflected to find care elsewhere. I felt both guilty and thankful. Guilty that we could have provided care, but joining in the game of Pong, instead had sent the patient elsewhere. And yet at the same time thankful, because by then I knew, instead of still waiting for me, the child was probably already home again, nance-free.

I consider each patient I get to help, a privilege. Wanting to say yes, and yet knowing my limit and when to say no is a hard line to walk, especially when walking for longevity in this position. Hopefully, both Jonary and I will be walking and working for many, many, many years to come.

Much Love.