Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Quick! Call 91-11-42776444

It's a good thing that as interns we have access to the Maitri drivers if there is an emergency.  And thus a good thing when on Thursday night I was rushed to the hospital.  I haven't been feeling well the last week with an upset stomach, sore throat and low grade fever.  I was trying to sleep it off and had started taking the antibiotic I brought with me.  Thursday night as I was ready to fall asleep I was suddenly awakened by a fierce pain on the upper right side of my abdomen.  Crawling into my roommates room, bawling, they quickly called our hosts and a car was sent over directly to pick us up.  There is no real ambulance service here, at least not like in the States so we waited for the Singh's driver.  I continued to cry and vomit as my fever intensified when Ajay (pronounced ah-jay) arrived and we were on our way.  Beyond being ill I was very afraid of going to the hospital.  In preparation to coming to India I met with a nurse at the travel clinic in Salt Lake that told me to NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL if a serious medical situation arose to evacuate to Singapore.  I'm not sure exactly how that would have worked exactly as there was no time to get to Singapore!  It turns out, that as many things in India I had nothing to worry about.

There are 2 types of hospitals in India.  The government and privately funded ones.  I was taken to the later, a beautiful hospital called, Fortis.  The best way to describe it is imagine if the Grand America Hotel was a hospital.  And when I say that, I mean it!  I would even go as far as saying nicer-if not cleaner.  After being in the ER- in which I was taken to a bed immediately and given prompt care by the Doctor no less!  I was taken to a room on the second floor where I would spend the next 4 days.  My suite was gorgeous, comfortable and immaculate, my roomies commented that it was nicer that the University Hospital at home.     My preliminary diagnosis was that I was having a gallbladder attack but upon further investigation it appeared I had an inflamed liver from an infection in my ascending bowel.  The first few hours were quite frightening but thank goodness Liz and Sarah were there.  The first night they slept head to foot on a tiny  couch, just like cats in a basket!

The nursing staff was amazing and SO gentle.  Every time I received an injection they would softly rub my arm and were always inquiring as to what I needed or how I was feeling.  The highest my fever ever got was 103 and I was kept on pain killers that helped me sleep most of the time.  I didn't eat anything my first 3 days, only juice and water eventually working up to liquid soup and on my last day...


Yogurt, cous-cous, rice, flat bread, a potato with cheese, some sort of butterscotch like pudding and stewed tomatoes with eggplant. I have been struggling with the food in India and have to say the hospital food was AMAZING and the apple juice to die for!!!!  

Being in the hospital in India was not what I expected.  My western thinking really played into what I thought I was getting into, even that of the nurse in the travel clinic.  It has been amazing seeing the truth behind what we think India is in America and what India really is.




 I really can't stress enough the cleanliness of this hospital.  I would scarcely be out of bed to use the bathroom and upon returning, fresh water and new bedding!  We had to tell the housekeepers not to come in so much!  Check out these pictures of the bathroom!!!


Pictures don't really do it justice

I was finally able to discharge on Monday evening and was sent home with a packet with a copy of all my lab results, discharge summary and prescription summary.  What a weekend!  I am glad to be at home and resting comfortably thanks to the staff of Fortis Hospital, the Maitri staff and my sweet, sweet roomies.  








3 comments:

  1. All through that and you still look and are amazing. I wish I could have been there. So I'm going to have to insert a virtual hug here:

    ( hug )

    Please get better. I need my Katie back in one piece.

    Er, um, not to say you're MY Katie.

    Um, that is, uh... *blush* heh heh... Not to presume or anything.

    where's the backspace on this thing?

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  2. Why does it say surgery? Should I keep reading on to find out, probably.

    I'm glad that you are alright.

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  3. Hahaha! I am doing great! The hospital was amazing! I didn't get surgery, that is just the section was in. Does that make sense?

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