NIGHTMARE

It is a real story that had occurred on 17062017.

The identities of the actors are kept aside  to respect their privacy.

Ravi and Latha are a happy couple who had begun their journey together four decades ago. They have been blessed with four children who are in the medical profession. Both Ravi and Latha had been senior officers with the Government of Kerala. They were leading a quiet life after retiring from Government service.

When Ravi had approached a doctor for a minor ailment they had no inclination that Cancer was about to break into their harmonious life. Though the diagnosis was that Ravi was inflicted with Cancer the doctor had told them that the disease could be contained with a few sessions of Chemotherapy.

Ravi was responding positively to the treatment despite the discomforts. Ravi and Latha had good contacts in the Government and the medical profession. But they never had sought the assistance of any one when they were undergoing the treatment. They were admirably managing the difficult phase themselves.

Ravi had been advised to report to the RCC on 16062017 to undergo certain tests. As usual Latha had accompanied him. Viewing the results the consultant was pleased and had advised the patient to report to the RCC the next day for the final session of Chemotherapy.  They were both happy that the ordeal that had erupted a couple of months ago was about to pass off into history.

They reported at the RCC on 17062017. The twist began here.

The doctor administering Chemotherapy had a look at the case sheet. Ravi and Latha were admonished for reporting for Chemotherapy without ensuring an OK by the Consultant. According to the doctor they had sufficient experience to be aware of the basic requirement. They pleaded with the young doctor to contact the Consultant. It was in vain. They were briskly advised to personally meet the Consultant and obtain the certification.  

There was a hitch. The Consultant was in the fifth floor whereas the administration of Chemotherapy was in the third floor. His physical condition did not permit Ravi move freely around. Fortunately for them they had been accompanied by their granddaughter that day. Leaving Ravi in the waiting area Latha climbed up the stairs with her companion to the fifth floor. But the Consultant they had met the previous day was unavailable. They returned to the young doctor. The doctor was adamant. They had to obtain the certification by the assistant of the Consultant. There was another block. The security guard did not allow them to proceed to the area and meet the designated person. Latha was in tears. She just could not fathom why the people were all callous. At last the security guard relented as they kept on waiting at the gate for one and a half hours seeking his mercy.   They somehow met the  assistant and managed to obtain the priceless OK certification.  Latha entrusted the young girl to hurry and produce the OK to the doctor so that the administration of Chemotherapy would not be delayed any further.

Latha, 73, was tired. She had left home very early in the morning after gulping down a quick breakfast. The tension she had undergone the past few hours had its toll. She felt she could not walk at all.   As she  came slowly down the stairs from the fifth floor she missed two steps. She fell off and rolled down to the landing. She could not get up.

As the RCC was crowded there were people around to lift her up. But she could not walk. She had to be moved to the Emergency on a trolley since there were no wheelchairs.

The doctors at the Emergency found a crack on her knee from the X-ray. They had bandaged it and had advised her total rest for a month.

Ravi and Latha are now two invalids sharing a room. They cannot have visitors since Ravi stands the chance of contracting infection as he has undergone Chemotherapy. Unmindful of the turmoil the young doctor had finally relented with the OK certification in the case sheet. She had followed the procedure thoroughly well. 

It is a nightmare how Ravi and Latha are going to manage their life.

IF ONLY THE DOCTOR ADMINISTERING CHEMOTHERAPY AT REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE (RCC) TRIVANDRUM HAD AN IOTA OF KINDNESS THE NIGHTMARE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

Let me sign off with a quote from William Shakespeare's 'As You Like It.'

All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players; / They have their exits and their entrances, / And one man in his time plays many parts,