Tuesday dawned bright and sunny…
I was ready and waiting to be told the time to pitch up for my admission into Kingsway Hospital, in Amanzimtoti. The Neurosurgeon had told me that the rooms would phone the Medical Aid for authorisation at 08:30 and it would be shortly after this.
As time passed I eventually phoned the rooms to find out what the outcome was, only to be answered with a “Do you want to be admitted today?”
Blood boiling, I simmered down and assured them that that is what their boss had said would happen.
It made very little difference to me, but my friend had forfeited a date to be available to get me to the appointment on time.
Within a very short time thereafter I was given the go ahead and was taken to the Medical Ward 1 where I found that I would be sharing a suite with two other women.
I have had the opportunity of being in a number of wards and it is always interesting to know the dynamic of those sharing with one…
The curtain was closed around the one occupant, but the other girl, Bronwyn, was lying on her bed with the largest smile I have ever seen.
We made our introductions and from that moment, there was laughter and bantering going on. She is young, in her 40’s, still a child in my eyes.
Before too long the curtains were opened around the third occupant, a lovely Indian lady, Rani, who was so much quieter than the two of us, but what a lovely character. She has had a very trying time having to come to terms with the tragic murder of her parents in their family home in Umkomaas.
How lucky I am to find room mates who are kind and friendly where every I go.
Test upon test followed…
Apart from the normal blood, urine and height and weight being taken, I was started on a regime of tests that I knew were coming.
A visit to the Cardiologist, a very busy man who rushed in and out of the office and spent about ten minutes in total in my company. An ECG which was performed by his technician who also performed the ultra sound of the heart.
I then waited in the Cardiologists rooms for about 3 minutes before he rushed back in to tell me that there was nothing wrong, but I would need to wear a heart halter machine for a further 24 hours to complete the examination.
However, as I was set up to have an MRI, MRA test later in the afternoon, it would only be fitted to me once that was over.
Lake Smit and Partners, do not have an MRI at Kingsway…
So I was collected like royalty, by one of their very well mannered and excellent drivers, who were to take me to the hospital where I would have the test and be returned by another driver after it had been completed.
I was under the impression that we were on the way to Westville Hospital, so imagine my surprise when he turned right at the Toll Bridge and went up the hill then to the left, and deposited me at Saint Augustine’s!
It didn’t make an iota of difference tho, and the examination took between 45 to an hour to do and I was ceremoniously returned to my ward at Kingsway.
Then it was back to the cardiologist where his technician once again fitted electrodes all over the body, gave me a little pouch to hang around my neck, and sent me on my way.
No, that isn’t me in the photo, sadly …
But this is exactly what the arrangement looked like. I imagined that it would be awkward to sleep wearing, but it was not at all. The pouch was able to lie on the bed away from one, connected by the cords, and it was not a problem.
By five that afternoon my Neurosurgeon returned to my ward to give me the findings.
After all these expensive, extensive tests, there is nothing wrong with me! So to all my friends, family and acquaintances who have been urging me to get tested, I hope that you are now feeling a little easier.
One thing that was noted while I was in the ward was that I do, as I knew already, suffer from a rather low blood pressure. I have bought some salt tablets from the pharmacist, at her suggestion, to have on hand should I have another ‘aura’ heralding a fainting episode.
Costs involved in this elimination experiment…. Co payment to be admitted, R1640, Payment to Neurologist seen out of hospital, R1500, Co payment to Lake Smit for the MRI R2740.
However, peace of mind – priceless, and having met Bronwyn and Rani really a bonus. We have exchanged numbers and hopefully, when they are well and discharged, we can meet at Seattle for a good cup of cappuccino.
