So here we ago...
Have you ever given any thought to how privileged you are? I'm talking REALY given it thought!
Thursday evening I was sent to the emergency ward in the hospital by my doctor because she felt that the symptoms I was portraying warranted immediate attention that she was not able to give me. Look, I am in a lot of pain, but I honestly did not think it was the amount of pain worthy of a hospital visit. Especially not an emergency unit!
Before I get to the point of my story, let me point out a very vital piece of information (if you are not sitting down, you may want to put your butt to a chair now) I. Do. Not. Have. Medical. Aid! ( I know, I know in this day and age and in the country we live in, how can I not be?) I used to be on medical aid a while ago, but I am one of those lucky people that never really get sick. A few coughs and sniffles here and there, but thankfully nothing serious. So in true, party animal style and having my priorities straight (of course) I cancelled it. So here I am, at 23:00 writing this on a scrap piece of paper, all the while still waiting to be tended too. (I've been waiting for 3hrs so far)
The point of my blog today is not to moan about government facilities and the poor service, but merely to mention how grateful I am that I am so privileged and blessed.
I look around this waiting room and see people in a far worse situation than I am. I see an old man in a wheelchair sitting in excruciating pain. Him and his wife have been here since this afternoon and still no-one has tended to him. There is a woman who is 5 weeks pregnant and is bleeding profusely, however this too doesn't warrant immediate attention by the doctor.
Our medical system is majorly flawed, there is no doubt about that. So is our education system and our leaders, but again, all I keep thinking about is how blessed I am. (that and I NEED medical aid) I cant imagine how horrible it must be to use government facilities in the rural parts of South Africa. We have all heard the stories of the inadequate facilities in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, and how people forego basic medical facilities.
Life is hard, for all of us. We are all fighting our own battles, but remember, there are always some in a worse off situation than you are. I am hating every minute of being here, but I never want to forget how this experience has made me feel.
I haven't eaten since this lunch time, but looking at this lady in front of me, I'm almost sure it's been longer than me.
I have learnt a few valuable lessons this evening:
1) I am better off than 80% of South Africa's population.
2) I need to give Discovery a call in the morning because being cheap costs A LOT of time!
3) I need to do more. I need to actively do more. Get my "hands dirty" so to speak. And I need to get Warren and Tatum involved too, because I do not want my little girl growing up without empathy for those less fortunate than her.
4) And lastly, when surrounded by a group of people I am able to control my gag reflexes when hearing some-one throw up violently. Hearing the vomit hit the floor is more painful than these cramps I'm dealing with.
*I left the hospital at 2am on Friday morning, without seeing the doctor*
