Today was an emotional day. A patient that I have been
seeing was admitted shortly after I talked to him. He was coming for therapy,
but said he was going to stop at the pharmacy first to pick up his medication. I
guess he collapsed at the pharmacy. I saw him lying in a hospital bed when I
went to see another ward patient. This man looked like he was having a stroke
or seizure and there was nothing I could do to help him other than ask the
nurse if he was going to start to receive treatments.
The man had a CVA about a year ago. He is noncompliant with
his medications to control his diabetes and hypertension. His family said he
also has been drinking a lot recently. Regardless, it was really hard to see
someone suffer like that especially when 2 hours earlier he looked like he was
fine.
In the US, when you are admitted to the hospital, you are
hooked up to monitors and IV medication right away. Here you just have to wait
until the doctor makes it to you. There are 3 or 4 doctors total for the hospital.
They have to see all the inpatients and all the outpatients. I think around 200
patients come everyday. Obviously, only the most basic medical care is given
due to time constraints and lack of resources.
My training as a therapist just does not allow me to offer
help in these situations. It saddens me and makes me feel helpless. I just have
to remember that I am helping people, but there is no way I can help everyone!
Another Stroke patient I have been seeing since Christmas is doing really well. Every time I see him, his balance improves greatly. He is compliant with his home exercise program. He is only 32 so its nice to see that he will not have many major long term issues as long as he stays compliant with his diet, medication, and exercise! He could hardly even sit at the edge of the hospital bed on his own before Christmas. Today, he walked 2 miles to get to the hospital. We had to wait a good 20 minutes before we could start the session since he was so tired, but I'm so glad he his trying!!!
I have to focus on successes because I can only empower someone so much. Therapy is not a passive treatment. If a person does not want to follow my advice then there is nothing I can do for them.
Love, Kari
When I was having a particularly down moment, feeling like a failure with the people I just couldn't help, one of my best friends told me to consider Schindler and his list. When he was beside himself, aghast at all the number of people he didn't save, the people he did save were there to console him. They reminded him that thanks to him, generations of people were preserved. The world is a better place because he helped where he could despite the circumstances. That's you. :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work! You have the right attitude!
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