My story I would not want to share (THE JOURNEY TO ATUTUR THAT ALMOST NEVER HAPPENED) PART 1

A boy standing at a sign post near Atutur Hospital main get Photo Credit The Observer

A week earlier we had received a telephone call from a doctor in Atutur hospital Kumi district. She had identified herself as Dr. Sarah. Dr. Sarah narrated to us how sickle cell was affecting many people who attend Atutur Hospital. She had within a period of 3 weeks registered over 100 patients. Too puzzled she had decided to contact us for support.

We decided to go to Atutur and get firsthand experience of what the doctor had narrated to us on phone. We made a request to Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL) to go with them and test these people they had told us and also do a public free screening.

On August 8^th  2015 we setoff for our Eastern campaign that later became an Eastern question. At 5.33 pm the drive ignited the engine of one of the cars in CPHL’s parking. It was an old car and needed disposal. We drove to the nearest petrol station refueled and did some checkups. At 6.00pm the driver who was in his 60s start to drive towards the East.

The journey was still wonderful I knew every place we were passing by but I did not know Kumi where we were going. I had never been to Kumi so I did not even know how long the journey was. At 8.00 pm we arrived in Iganga Town. It was now getting darker and most shopped had been closed but bars and pubs were just opening. The driver made a suggestion and wanted us to spend a night in Iganga and travel to Kumi early in the morning. We did not take his advice. My colleague insisted that we sleep in Mbale which was near Kumi for easy access and time management. The driver accepted and continued with the journey.

At Nakalama after branching off from Busia road, the headlights beamed direct to a road sign which was alerting us that we were 100 kilometres away from Mbale. Before we could reach the signpost the driver parked on the roadside. He told us that the car had developed a mechanical problem which was going to be fixed and we continue with our journey. He looked for a mechanic from the nearby garage to fix the car. 30 minutes passed with no success. We were still praying and worried of our security since we were in a dark place. He finally broke the bad news that the car could not be fixed, there affected machine needed to be replaced and could only be bought from Kampala which we had left 3 hours ago.

We had now two options either to sleep in Iganga or continue and sleep in Mbale. We chose Mbale as earlier plans. Now desperate we got our bags and sickle cell testing kits to look for a quick taxi to Mbale. We waited for 15 minutes for a taxi and every taxi that came was full, some even had excess passengers instead of 14 they had 18 passenger excluding children. Tired of waiting and our legs had started to hurt we came back to rest in the car. The mechanic advised us that if we needed to get to Mbale at night we had to board a truck.

When a Fuso truck came he helped us to stop. We negotiated the transport fares and got on board. The truck can accommodate 2 passengers and a driver. Already 3 people were inside and our team was of 4 people.

My 3 colleagues had to occupy the two passenger seats. I was the smallest so had to be sacrificed. There was drama on how we could also fit inside. I was told to squat in the resting area behind the seats.  I was there with the turnboy and another passenger we met in the truck. I was also holding the 5 boxes of sickle cell testing kits we had. The journey which we thought was going to end in Mbale ended in Kumi where we arrived at 1am. I had to squat for 156 kilometres.

Watch out for the next part as I recollect how I had to squat for 156 kilometres and the morning where we got lost and went to other 2 hospital before arriving at Atutur.

Pause: My story I wouldn't want to share

I went to labour ward Tuesday to give birth to my triplets but I had labour pains for nothing. The doctors later told me that I was not due. I had my mama kit with me. I knew all the names I was going to give my newborn and same color clothes.

9 months ago I went for pregnancy test and tested positive. This was after missing my periods and suspected to be pregnant. The test proved what I thought.

The first antenatal clinic was not good. The gynecologist wrote in the clinical notes that my womb couldn't carry the triplet after the ultrasound scan which had showed that I had them. He put it in writing that I had to pay for each kilogram my babies weigh. He told me if I didn't agree to his decision I had only one chance and was to appeal to the Hospital head which was not easy.

I almost gave up. I was later advised to consult the doctor who was seated next to this gynecologist. I did the same. In fact he is the one who taught the other gynecologist and his supervisor. After consultations he accepted me to carry my triplets. I was happy to have the first decision quashed.

When I went to check at where I had kept my triplets as the gynecologist had advised I found out that the prices for keeping my lovely babies already too high now. I came back frustrated. I asked my friend to help me negotiate with the Lady and have the prices reduced. He accepted and he suggested to me that we give the one an offer for carrying the triplets for that time. The offer was to name one of them the name of the woman who carried them for that period. Fortunately the lady accepted and reduced the prices which we paid.

When I got them I informed the father of my triplets and he was happy. He was happy to be father again. He was father before but the mother of the first kids disappeared with the children and gave them different names.

Two and half weeks back the doctor told me that I was going to give birth on 3rd May. I started preparing and informed the father to be of my children.

I checked in the hospital with labour pains. Unfortunately I found the room also full and was told that it was overbooked. The labour pain mysteriously stopped. The triplets settled in the womb and now waiting for the next labour pains. I hope the pains will not be too much.