Thursday, 30th May 2013.
I woke up feeling better today. And with all the excitement fading away, I
had started to
feel the pain from yesterday's injection.
After a hurried
breakfast, I found my way to the hospital for my second injection.
Dr E had
left instructions with the receptionist that I had to see him before leaving.
What again? I wondered? Could it be about the test? No oh. Please
I've crossed that bridge,
I reassured myself.
'The other side ' I yelled
at the nurse who was just about to puncture my right butt.
She promptly did as she was told. Seeing as I had shouted at her, I had to
form like the injection wasn't painful.
Holding my head high, I walked to the
reception.
It was already full. Apparently it was maternity day.
I found an
empty spot next to a pregnant woman who had a feisty little boy on her lap.
Again I began to wonder what else Dr. E had to say that he
couldn't have just said on phone.
Thankfully, the little boy's noise kept
interrupting my wayward thoughts.
At some point Dr E stepped out of the
office. I quickly greeted him so he could see me waiting.
He responded with a
rather grim face........ or was it just my imagination ?
I decided to pass the time by playing music on my phone.
After
what seemed like eternity, Dr E asked me in.
'I want you to go to Yaba tomorrow for a test. It's at the Nigerian Institute for Medical
Research.It usually doesn't take time and you will get your result before you leave.
Please get there early so you can be attended to early enough. Then you should bring the result here when you come
for your injection tomorrow.'
'Alright Sir' I replied.
He scribbled something on a paper, signed and stamped it. He then
went on to fold and staple the paper and then addressed it.
Which one is this one again ? I wondered as I left his office .
On
the way home, I actually attempted to open it but the pin just kept ruining
my nails.
Whatever, I said aloud, frustrated and gave up trying to open it.
Afterall even if I see it, it won't make any difference. I'll still go for
the test.
Friday, 31st May 2013
I woke up with the test on my mind. By 8.15 a.m I was at the Institute of
Medical Research gate.
The security man gave me directions based on the
envelope in my hand.
Walking into what seemed to double as a passage and reception, I asked the
woman at the desk for further directions.
She ripped open the paper Dr E had
given me and looked intently at it.
'It is Esh-hi-fee ' she bellowed and pointed
me in the direction of the lab. My heart did a quick backflip. And another.
And three more.
HIV ? I dragged my foot in the direction of the laboratory. Why ?
Did Dr E lie to me ? Why carry out two HIV tests within two days ? Was there
a mix up ? Was my joy premature ?
There were about 8 people waiting for the test when I got there.
With shaky hands, I wrote my name on the list I found and we all waited.
It
was now about 8.30am. None of the staff in that department had resumed.
People there started talking about HIV. They all just wouldn't
shut up. By now I had a headache and so using earphones wouldnt gave been a
good idea.
A lady was talking about how its not the end of the world. She
mentioned she knew many couples living with the virus and living normally.
At this point I got up and walked away. I so wasn't interested in
this gist. I came back about ten minutes later. The list had reached twenty
one.
Still no one had resumed. I began to pace restlessly.
Finally a woman arrived and without apology, picked up the list.
She introduced herself as 'Mrs R'. Her job was to counsel us in groups of 10
before our test, and to refer for treatment anyone who turned out positive.
As number 9, I made it with the first batch. She went on to give
us many details as well as the demonstration with a plastic penis and vagina.
When she was done, she explained we would all fill forms which we would hand
over to the lab woman.
However the forms would be filled by her. She then called everyone
in one at a time to fill the form. Waiting for my turn was a harrowing
experience but I had no choice.
Eventually I went in and made to sit on the chair right in front
of her. She asked me to sit at the one close to the wall.
'Huh ?'
'Sit on that chair' she repeated firmly. I
wondered to myself if that was the procedure or she would just rather yell
across the room.
I opened my mouth to speak but the look on her face shut it
right back. I obeyed instantly.
She asked a series of questions from the questionnaire(which was
supposed to calculate how risk prone a person is)
Finally she asked when last I was tested.
'Tuesday' I replied.
She hissed. Long. And hard.
'Then why are you here ? ' , she
asked, obviously irritated.
I thought about it too. Really, what am I doing here ?
'I don't know ma', I replied
weakly.
Choii what is this ? Dr E should have at least given me heads up
naa.
'What did your doctor tell you after the first test ?'
'Negative' I responded
'Mschewww. I don't just understand what the problem is with all these private doctors.
See theyhave done it and its positive and they don't know how to tell you. This is what they
always do. Then they will remember NIMER and push people here.
Mschewww.
He told you its negative yet he'ssending you here.. Mschewww.'
I was speechless. Don't even ask about my heartbeat. She stretched
the form/questionnaire
towards me. I got up to collect it but my shaky legs
did not allow. I fell back in the chair.
'Next person' she yelled, looking at me
with disdain. I stepped out of the room weak and drowsy.
I found a chair
quickly so I wouldn't fall down.
This woman just passed a death sentence on
me so callously. What's the point of even
carrying out any test again ?
By now it was time for the test, again starting from Number 1.
The
lab woman came out and apologised to us all, explaining that she was going to
look for the person with the keys to the cupboard which had the test kits.
What ?????????????????????????????????
Lord Jesus I started to pray, but could not find more words. Again
the lady started another creepy HIV story. My heart was beating fast , fast,
fast.
This time, I had no idea how to pass time. I was so uncomfortable.
Eventually the woman returned with the keys and testing started.
It went pretty quickly.
Again we had to wait for results . Argh !
I was angry. At myself.
At the world. At civil servants. At Dr E. Especially at Dr. E.
I searched my
phone desperately for his number. No luck.
Arrrggghhhhh. I was sweating. God !!!
Results were ready. Again they started from the beginning. I sat
on the edge of my chair .
Number 5 was a woman with two little boys and she
had somehow disappeared as the
younger one wanted to "wee-wee".
They all agreed to wait for her.
'Please let Number 6 go in' I yelled.
Everybody turned to look at me.
I had screamed louder than I intended.
Also
we had been there more than three hours and I seemed to be the only one who
didn't complain about civil servants resuming late or tell any stories.
Finally it was my turn.
"Congrats, you're negative,' lab woman
said to me.
'Are you sure ?'
'Of course' she responded with a smile.
She showed me the paper and went on to explain something I didn't even listen
to. She handed me my result and I left.
At this time, Mrs R had started with the next batch. I wondered
how many other people she
had ever scared. I wondered whether as an
experienced HIV counselor,
she hadn't been told how to handle sensitive
issues.
There would be people who would just walk out dejected and not even
bother with the test again.
I left the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research thinking, I gotta
write this story. Oh and if
ever you go there, please feel free to shoot Mrs
R for me. She is evil !!!!!
|
.jpg)
