Last Thursday was a day filled with anxiety, sadness, and reflection as we navigated the halls of three hospitals after Alycia's accident. The experience was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the resilience of the human spirit. I have often read of parents running from one hospital to another late at night with their very sick or injured child only to be told that all their rooms were fully occupied. Now that happened to us. The helpless feeling that gripped us was real.
The First Hospital: A Heart-Wrenching Moment
I was in the Accident &
Emergency department at the first hospital (in our neighborhood), waiting for the Medical Officer (MO) to clean and bandage
Alycia's injured finger. As I stood outside the A&E, my mind consumed with worry, I heard a
woman wailing in another room. The sound was chilling, but I didn't investigate
further. My focus was entirely on Alycia, and I had no desire to intrude on
someone else's sorrow.
Later, as we drove to the next hospital, Alycia shared that
she overheard the nurses talking about a woman who had just lost her
3-month-old baby. Whether due to medical negligence or an illness, the tragedy
was profound. My heart ached for the grieving mother, even though we knew
nothing of her story beyond that moment.
The Second Hospital: Our Hopes Dashed
At the second hospital, which is Pantai Medical Centre, Bangsar, we were told by one of the attending MOs that all the rooms in the hospital were fully occupied. She told us that she had to turn down several emergency cases. We left the hospital crestfallen. I was on the phone calling other private hospitals to check on their room availability.
The Third Hospital: A Haunting Familiarity
Our next stop was the Accident & Emergency department
at SJMC. While waiting for the MO to insert an IV catheter into Alycia's hand, a
familiar and distressing scene unfolded before me. A young woman, around 20 or
21, was being wheeled into the Procedure Room in a wheelchair, sobbing and
clutching her stomach. The sight triggered painful memories of my own
miscarriage 24 years ago in the same hospital's A&E.
I noticed her boyfriend's anxious demeanor
as I chatted briefly with him, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the young
woman might have attempted an abortion. This suspicion was confirmed when I
overheard the MO explaining to the young man that she had indeed attempted an
abortion, but the ultrasound showed the sac was still in the womb. She was to
be seen by a gynecologist the following morning.
My heart went out to her. I hoped that she would make
better choices for her future and find the support she needed to navigate this
difficult time.
Alycia's Ward: Unexpected Companions
Once Alycia was settled in her ward, she shared a room with
a woman in her late twenties who was hospitalized for muscle spasms and a
slipped disc. Her boyfriend was by her side most of the time, providing comfort
and companionship. Seeing their bond reminded me of the importance of support
and love during trying times.
Reflections on Life's Unpredictability
These hospital tales underscore how life can throw
unexpected and often devastating curveballs our way. Each story, whether it was
the grieving mother, the young woman facing the consequences of her choices, or
Alycia’s injury, highlighted the fragility and unpredictability of life.
We must live each day as if it were our last, cherishing our loved ones and making decisions that align with our values and hopes for the future.
 |
| Alycia packing her stuff to go home, finally. |
No comments:
Post a Comment