CARE OF DISTRESSED PATIENT DUE TO INCURABLE CONDITION
ABOUT THE PATIENT: Afidhu Mwesiga Yunusu 19 years old boy, he is the first born in the family of 7 siblings, living in Mubango hamlet, Nyakahama village in Bulyakashaju ward within Kamachumu Division. Completed form two and was selected to continue with form three but this was not possible due to none responding pain of left knee which was associated with swelling, later he was not able to stand without support finally he was completely bad ridden .
HISTORY OF THE DISEASE
In March 2020 he experienced pain during walking and had difficulties to use his left leg. Pain increased day and night, later he developed knee swelling which was very painful and tender. He was not able to stand or walk without support, used sticks and sometimes failed completely. This condition goes more worse. His parents decided to seek help from traditional healers. They used local medicine without reliefe and finally they decided to seek medical care. Attended different Health facilities and diagnosed to have osteosarcoma. They were advised to be referred to Bugando for further investigation and if possible for amputation. It takes time to process the new information and due to superstition issues, they went again to tradition healers and to those who pray and request gods to bring miracle to cure incurable illnesses. Afidhu was in severe pain and developed depression with loss of hope to live because he didn’t expect any help from the relative.
His father said “I have done my part no way out”.
MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION
It was on 26.6.2020 when palliative care team were invited to attend the Village Development Committee of Nyakahama village. The village Chairperson reported that there is a boy in Mubango Hamlet with huge swelling of the knee diagnosed cancer and he is bed ridden for more than 3 months. Dropped school due to severe pain and nature of the disease. Due to ignorance and superstition issues associated with poor economic status his father decided to leave this boy at home until GOD wishes. The village Chair person requested palliative care team to see that boy after the meeting
When we reached there Afidhu was not around, he was away to tradition healer in Muleba village. His farther was against the medical services and he doesn’t want Afidhu to be taken by anybody for any service. He stated that “Nothing to do, I know the disease progression”
Counseling is ongoing process. We planned another day for visiting the family.
On 30.6.2020 we visited Afidhu again; when we reached there he was laid on the old mat screaming with pain, his father was sitting aside watching his son. After greetings, the team deal with the pain. Morphine 10 mls was given at start, then we wait for 30 minutes. When the pain decreased Afidhu was able to express his feelings.
Findings from the physical examination: Huge mass, very tender, shining and very hard. He was very week and depressed due to fear of death associated with disease progression.
Plan of care and services offered. Morphine 5ml 4hourly in day time them 10 ml at 10pm for two weeks, feed patient in small amount but regularly.
At the Hospital Afidhu was discussed during clinical meeting and all physicians advised to bring him to Hospital for investigation.
The family was visited several times in order to be convinced with our advice.
On 10.8.2020 the parents agreed to bring Afidhu to Hospital, He was admitted and knee x ray was repeated and again it revealed Osteosarcoma. He was covered with antibiotics to control secondary infection. Then referred to Kagondo Hospital for bone specialist to review. On 18.08.2020 Afidhu was escorted by Palliative care coordinator to Kagondo. He was admitted, parents and patient counseled, all agreed to remove the affected leg. The operation cost was covered by palliative care as it was indicated in the budget of the EKFS Foundation.
On 21.09.2020 Amputation was done successfuly and Afidhu recovered well.
Current situation: Afidhu is living happily enjoying life with parents and friends. No pain. Morphine was stopped. Now supported with nutrition diet for rehabilitation.
Word from the AFIDHU “I appreciated the service provided by Ndolage Hospital Palliative Care Team. I was lost but now I found. My days were numbered but I was taken out of the grave. I can sleep, talk and walk by using crutches and visit my friends. Thanks GOD for all you have done through the blessed hands of palliative care team and all who supported the project. As you see me I am still young I want to go back to school and hoping that GOOD SAMARTAN to help me at least to get official leg. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL“
Der Bericht wurde von Amelia Musikampingo der Leiterin des Palliative Care Project erfasst.
Leider ist Afidhu Ende Oktober 2020 gestorben. Er hatte Lungenmetastasen. Die Amputation hat ihm dennoch zwei gute Monate ermöglicht. Das ganze Team war sehr betroffen und hätte ihm eine längere Lebenszeit gewünscht…