Bed ridden because of Care work

It was in 1994 when my husband and I received a sick visit from my husband’s cousin from Namibia. She had had  a stroke and was paralysed on the whole  left side   of her body. We took her to the University Teaching Hospital which is the largest hospital in Zambia where  the doctors suggested that she would have to get  several tests on and  we refused because we thought it was unnecessary for everything had already been diagnosed and was already on medication.

So, we took her to Maina Soko Military hospital where doctors examined her and recommended that she start physiotherapy. The patient could not walk and I did not know how to use a sponge bath on a bed. As a result, I used to lift her on my back to the bathroom and after bathing her, lift her from the bath tab back on to the bed. This took months of me doing this because her recovery process was slow. Unfortunately for me, my back was shifting bit by bit without me knowing or realising it. When I felt some prinking or tingling feelings in  my legs, I   ignored and thought it was just pain that would stop soon. The trend went on from 1996 to 1999 when the patient died. By then, the pain on my back and legs had increased and I started seeking medication. I went to the private doctors who could not find a solution. I visited some Chinese doctors who gave me 10 injections, five on each knee and I took 760 tablets in a month  but the pain continued. I was sent for ultra sound which was negative. Then the doctor ordered me to do a physio at  local hospital and  I did this for two hours for three weeks, daily. I went to see the doctor after three weeks and he ordered for another five week physio but instead of getting better, I  got worse. I even started using crutches and at this stage, the doctor said the only solution was an operation.

I was told that the problem was that my spine  had dislocated due to heavy lifting and  that had caused my spine to shift. I was told that the doctors could not  correct this and if I had an operation I could end up being paralysed.  On the  5th August 2002, they decided to use reconstruction on my back without operating on my back but using a massaging technique  relocate my back. I could not move for eight weeks. I was discharged and  went home.

I laid  on   a stretcher bed for another four weeks and  started walking  on my  own  though I could not sit on a chair.  I stayed in bed for so long and once having thought I was better, I got worse. Today, I back were  I started with pains from the lying in bed and cramps and I can no longer walk.

Later on I visited doctors who suggested again that I have an operation and that it would cost at least K15 million for me to be operated  at an Italian hospital in Lusaka to  put a plate in my back. Unfortunately, I  do not have  that kind of money. It is sad that I am in this predicament because I helped a family member and dislocated my spine. The government hospital didinot provide this care for the patient and as a family member I took it upon myself to assist the best way I know how and I carry the burden on my back. I have no mean of caring for myself or finding money required for me to have an operation.  All the same Iam not bitter at all because I was helping someone who needed help. If there were care givers to provide this service in Zambia it would have been a different story. I realise today as I lay in my bed that we need to recognise care giver and government needs to give them support to care for their communities and citizens just like me.

I took care of someone and unfortunately, she died and   I was left with this pain that has kept  me immobile and   languishing in pain quietly. My name is Esnath Tembo. I am a 63 year old and a mother with several grand children and pray that we will find recognition for our caregivers so that my grandchildren do not have to go through the same experiences that I know and feel today.