This week at work, I got floated down into the Emergency Room both nights. It was my first time being down there, and I have to give those guys credit. I thought that being on the floors was fast paced, but being down there really took a LOT of energy. The first night, I realized that the most important task is getting patients in and getting them out as fast as possible. I was wore out by 2 o'clock in the morning.
However, the second night was one of the most unforgettable nights I have ever had working in the hospital. A woman who was about 5 months pregnant came in because she was having severe cramping, and she shared with me that she was HIV positive and had only found out because she took a mandatory HIV test at her first OBGYN appointment. I had known about her condition prior to me talking to her because her nurse had told me, but it was still shocking to hear when it came out of her mouth. I asked her if her and her baby were getting treated and she said yes, but that it still didn't mean that she wasn't scared.
I told her that I was taking this class and that she found out at a good time. She said that her pregnancy was a surprise and unplanned, and I told her that it was really a blessing because otherwise she might not know about her condition until it is too late. My heart really felt for her because she was all alone. It then occured to me that I still had Diane's (The nurse that took my HIV test at the Health Department) business card in my wallet. I ran upstairs to get it, but by the time I got back, she was gone. I felt so dissapointed because I knew that I could have just given her my number, but I just didn't feel like it was my place at the time. I just hope that this young woman will have someone to stand by her side.
Did You Know?
"Currently there are 16 drug products approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult HIV infection. Through major contributions by the Pediatric ACTG, 10 antiretroviral agents have pediatric label information, including 3 protease inhibitors."
Source:
Riley, L.E. and Green, M.F. Elective caesarean delivery to reduce the transmission of HIV. 1999. N Engl J Med 340:13, 1032.
I think it was very humane of you to want to help that girl outside of your own job. I know people who work in the health field everyday but separate themselves from work when they come home. I am not sure whether your actions are good for you or not in the long run but I know that what you did was a good thing. Don’t give up; it becomes hard for people that face tragedy and death on a daily basis to give a part of themselves to their patients.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you didn't get to give her the card. I'm sure she was feeling better after talking with you. Perhaps she will seek out an AIDS Service Organization on her own. Maybe her OB gave her a list of places.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't mandatory to get tested, by the way. The OB has to offer the test, but the woman can still refuse to take it. If an OB is making it mandatory, then they run the chance of losing their practice.