All of us have heard the saying “health is wealth". Many of us don’t take it that seriously. It may sound a cliché until a serious illness settles in the house.
Even if the illness takes control of only one member of a home, we come to realization that health is not only wealth but also it saves and creates wealth.
For the last one year, my family has been passing through such circumstances. The condition has worsen over the last couple of months, and has become a major source of stress and unrest for all the members of the house.
My mother-in-law has had diabetes for a long time. The things were fine with on and off acute ailment.
A little more than an year ago her medical condition went weird. Initially it took some time to figure out the problem but finally it was found out that her kidneys were not working properly.
One of the kidneys had chronic injury too. Diagnoses of Chronic Kidney Disease and her weakening health snatched the peace of our mind.
Doctors visit, test, medicines, and the threat of dialysis- the cycle went on. Getting admitted in hospital and having arguments is another story.
Neither she was ready for dialysis nor any other member of the family as it is a painful process while she had already lost a lot of her strength.
Fortunately, we found out about a herbal treatment for her problem.
Though general relatives and the doctors relatives discouraged us for that but we gave the treatment a chance.
It worked well. Her health started improving. Her blood and urine reports were encouraging. Meanwhile, she was admitted to hospital for blood transfusion and other treatment.
Though she was not returned to her pre-CKD state yet she was quite better and was able to fulfil her needs of eating and toileting.
We were happy for her Improvement but it didn’t last long.
Whatever the reason may be, her Kidney problem suddenly emerged again. This time, it was worse then before. She was at the verge of dialysis.
Her body lost strength rapidly and drastically. She went bedridden. She had vomiting many times a day. She couldn’t even go to washroom and so we started using diapers for her.
After consulting her doctor, the herbal medicine was modified. However, it worked slowly this time.
She couldn’t eat the meal at ones but in chunks. Many times a day. Even after the midnight when awaken amidst the sleep. Just like an infant.
Again the cycle of doctors, hospitals, tests and the threat of dialysis began. She had different kind of pains and difficulty breathing.
While we had been struggling through all this, people cannot shut their mouth. They are their with their advice to make us confuse. Some are there to blame us for not caring her.
Anyways, it’s people’s job to poke their nose into others matters and increase the stress and unrest, so they do it.
Taking the decision about what should be done became difficult. Confusions, dilemma and fear surrounded us.
The days went on. The herbal treatment started responding. Her health displayed improvement.
We were happy but it was very short lived. A new problem arrived and it just stirred us up.
She was having constipation for some time. Consequently, her anal area was opened and there was always some stool coming out. No perfect cleaning.
Though she was not having kidney related pains now but constipation put her in another kind of pain. She couldn’t even sit.
We were trying to find the solution to her new problem while dealing with the older ones.
One evening it happened that we found her diaper filled with fresh blood and big blood clots. She was moaning and crying with pain.
We rushed to a hospital. One hospital after the other. It was a long night with so many disappointments and fears. At one hospital the doctor said that she is likely to have an injury in intestine that needs immediate treatment and the hospital didn’t have the facility.
What happened in the hospitals is the story for another day. It’s enough to mention that government hospitals in my country are very poor in health care.
We came back home the other day and consulted a gastroenterologist at a private clinic.
The medicine began. Thankfully she got rid of the constipation.
However, her and ours challenges haven’t ended yet. She has been bleeding through anal passage.
We had a colonoscopy planned for her to figure out the cause of the blood. Nevertheless, when the procedure was to be conducted, we found out about its protocols. They are extremely harsh even for a normal person and a patient like her....... how can she bear it.
I have consulted my doctor friends. They are doubting something serious in her intestine. The test is the way to figure out.
We have been in confusion where to go and what to do. Government hospitals have lack of facilities while private hospitals are not only expensive but also untrustworthy.
I am myself suffering from planter fasciitis and heel spur. I have pain in my heel and leg. I also have to go for some tests but it has been delayed due to already existing unrest at home.
Because of my mother-in-law’s condition managing time is difficult. She needs more time.
I am unable to give enough time to my kids. Their studies are disturbed. I am stressed about them too.
I don’t get enough time for the feet exercises recommended by the doctor.
Many of the tasks are in pending and the to-do list is increasing. The me-time is scarce. Many of the happenings are frustrating but the things are beyond control.
During such stressful situation I have realized that the way to relax is to be contented and grateful.
I am practicing to be contented with whatever is done instead of being regretful and frustrated for what is undone. It helps a lot.
Practising gratitude for the unlimited blessings also helps reduce the stress and tension for the concurrent challenges.
Above all, prayer is a way to reduce stress. It helps a lot to seek guidance and support from the One who bestows us with unlimited blessings without asking for once. When asked, the guidance is sure to come.
That’s my way out from the present stress in my life.
May God grant us all healthy and happy life.
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This is my participation for Hive Learner’s featured contest.
