It
was a tough time for my family when my husband underwent severe liver disease
and was admitted to an ultra-modern hospital in smart city. Though the gastroenterologist
took great care and offered best treatment, still, he was under observation and
condition was deteriorating as medicines did not support to boost immune
system. Doctor constantly threw special meetings to discuss my husband's
chronic liver disease. Treating doctor was constantly monitoring and applied
under trial medicine also for three days to subside the symptoms but could not
get success. Days passed and my stress level increased. I always accompanied
him during medical tests and kept enquiring about medicines given to him. I
kept a constant watch to know the worsening symptoms and immediately reported
to the doctor for prescribing appropriate medicines.
At
times, I had a huge financial burden because of the hospital expenses like fees
of visiting consultants, medicine cost and room tariff were very high. Day by
day my husband’s mental condition was also falling. He got worried about me and
daughters. Relatives and friends were regularly visiting and doing prayers for
my husband’s speedy recovery. But health was not improved. One of my relatives
told me to shift my husband to a government hospital. It really hurt me. We
were in the best hospital and the doctors were putting their best effort to
improve his health. All initiatives failed. And after applying broad medical
knowledge, the doctor who was handling the case became hopeless but did not give
up or transferred the case to another specialist. I became puzzled and my mind
was numbed. I could not figure out what action needed to take for the survival
of my husband. I was surrounded by attendants of other patients admitted in the
hospital. All were caring and supporting me in managing hospital affairs. Even
some of them offered prayers at their home for us to revive from the health
crisis.
Situation
was not improving and he was shifted to ICU under a team of junior doctors.
Treating doctor visited daily to check him thoroughly. I was also allowed to
stay with him in short intervals in the ICU for a morale boost. One day,
another patient admitted in the same ICU showed severe symptoms that mentally
hit my husband and he was demoralized and left hope for recovery. I tried to
motivate him that the other patient had some chronic illness. But my husband
became disturbed and his condition further worsened. Then I requested doctors
to shift him to a private room so that he may feel comfortable. Somehow the
doctor agreed and he was shifted to separate room instead of shared one. I was
allowed in visiting hours to meet him. I noticed that he did not take meals
properly and developed undesirable feelings towards nurses who offered food.
Since I was a psychology major, I quickly sensed that his mental condition was
low and did not have the desire to eat anything from the nurse or seek
assistance from paramedical staff. When I discussed his mental issue with the
doctor, he said that it is normal and usually it happens with patients
suffering from severe illness. I constantly raised my voice again to shift into
a high dependency ward and discharge from ICU as the parameters were exceedingly
high so that I can also spend more time to look at his needs and he may be desirous
to have sufficient quantity of meals to gain strength.
After
calling a meeting with a team of doctors in the ICU, the treating doctor
decided to move him to high dependency on my request. Though the physical
status of my husband had not improved, mentally he was a bit relaxed as I could
meet him frequently and provided meals of his choice. Gradually, he became
accustomed to the hospital environment and comprehended his clinical condition.
After a week, the doctor recommended him to shift to a private ward to lessen
the symptoms of cirrhotic disease. In the private ward, all the nurses and
paramedical staff focused on him to improve the liver condition but liver cells
didn’t show the sign of regeneration and the treating doctor had continued his
stay in hospital to generate revenue.
My
whole family was constantly keeping watch on his health and we tried our best
to take a second opinion for the worsening condition of my husband. Treating
doctor’s ego was hurt and he didn’t leave the case and worked out a new medical
plan for treatment. At one time, the doctor was irritated when we asked to take
a second consultation and shouted that I am offering the world's best treatment
that no one can give. He was adamant and we didn’t have other options for medical
support for my husband.
We
were already involved in discussing with friends and family about the
seriousness of my husband. Observing the rude behavior of the treating doctor,
I had expanded the thought horizon and made a major decision to talk with a
known senior radiologist who had graciously supported my spine operation about
a year back. She had a good grasp of medical knowledge and logical power to
deal with intricate health issues. Me and my elder brother contacted her and
briefed the severe health issues and medical history of my husband. She
listened patiently and asked about the doctor and his treatment procedure.
After getting all the details about the doctor and treatment techniques, the
radiologist told us that the patient was in the danger zone as none of the
medication and treatment supported him to revive from liver ailment. She was
well aware of the arrogant persona of treating doctor. She told us that
treating doctor will never leave the patient due to fear of a corrosive image
among the medical team and degradation of career. She gave a useful tip to us:
“There is a famous senior gastroenterologist with a 90% success rate in another
leading hospital who was the professor and teacher of treating doctor. Therefore,
the treating doctor will never resist and will allow you to take a second opinion”.
Though we were surprised but her highly valuable tip worked and we got
permission to get a second opinion from the doctor and hospital team also.
We
took advice from a senior gastroenterologist. He was dynamic and counsel us to
take initiative positively. He further advised that there is a need to
take hard decisions and start the last medical option of chemotherapy though it
damages liver cells but also destroys infected virus. We were all frightened as
intense therapeutic treatment was dangerous and life threatening. But the
doctor who gave the second opinion was confident and strictly suggested that if
you want to take a risk and save your husband’s life, it is time to follow the
doctor's advice to start this treatment. After rigorous thinking, I made the decision
to induce the prescribed injection which was the costliest treatment too.
Doctor boosted our morale and recommended to para medical staff to inject the
medicine thrice in a week. After one week, my husband showed signs of
improvement which was a great achievement not only for us but for doctors and
paramedical staff too. After 15 days, the doctor advised us that he can get
treatment at home by closely monitoring all parameters by local physician. With
our concern, the doctor approved the discharge request and we took the patient
home. My husband recovered in a steady manner with an intimate and sound
ambiance at home and within three months he was fully recovered and the tests
were almost normal. All doctors, nurses, and other relatives felt extreme
happiness with the recovery of my husband from a less than five percent chance
of survival.
God
showered the blessing with the boundless efforts of medical practitioners,
nursing team, our well-wishers and above all highly valuable tips given by
radiologist which was the game changer breakthrough in the line of treatment.
From
the above narration, I would like to thank all with deep heart who contributed
their support in our troubled phase of life.
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