It was a beautiful Saturday night! I had just returned home from having drinks with a couple of friends. As I opened my purse to fetch my house keys, my eyes caught the Health Insurance Card in it. I had never used it and it was going to expire in less than a month. ‘How would I let it go to waste?’ I thought to myself. I had to find a way to use it.
The following morning, I did not bother going to church. I went straight to the hospital. While getting registered, I kept on wondering what I was going to complain about! When I got into the Consultation Room, a pleasant-looking lady introduced herself to me as my doctor. When she asked what was wrong, the only thing I could instantly think of was ‘Fatigue’. Hence, she suggested that we start the probe into the complaint with a check of my Full Blood Count.
One hour later, I was back in the Consultation Room for a review of my test. When she opened my file, she was alarmed! Worry and panic were written all over her face. Of course, I equally became anxious and asked her what the problem was. She told me I had an abnormally low White Blood Count. Hence, she referred me to the Hematologist who visits the Hospital once a week – Wednesdays.
I watched her write in my file and I strained my neck as much as I could to pick some of the content. From her comments, she suspected Cancer, Bone Marrow Depression, or Thrombocytes! I suddenly felt a rumble in my stomach, and a tightness in my chest and I broke down in sweat, despite the air conditioning unit in the room.
The next three days that followed are the longest in my life to date. I read all I could about the ailments. I suddenly started feeling all the symptoms I read about. I was agitated and restless. Time became slow like I was watching water boil!
On the following Wednesday, I got to the hospital four hours earlier than I was supposed to. When I met the Hematologist and he checked my test result, I saw the same disturbed look on his face. Guess what he did! He sent me back to the laboratory to repeat the test. When the result was presented, everything was fine!!!
Puzzled, I asked him how I had an abnormal result on Sunday and was suddenly fine on Wednesday. He told me point blank that it is most likely a mix-up from the laboratory! On one part, I was relieved to know I am fine. On the other hand, I kept on thinking of the patient who actually has an abnormally low White Blood Count but does not know because he was erroneously given my own result!
Have you experienced any carelessness in hospitals? Please share with me. I’d love to hear from you.
Till next time, I remain your lady.
Ayodele
Look before you leap – A Canadian immigration guide