BREATHLESS BATTLE: MY EXPERIENCE WITH PNEUMONIA

My Experience with Pneumonia

4 a.m., I woke up gasping for air. For a moment, I almost Surrendered to suffocation. The intense gaps had already woken up my roommate. He could not help, due in part to the fact that I had on several occasions told him how I was well acquainted with medical ‘content’ and skills. Just then, I realized that I was drenched in sweat. All this, I had seen them in the medical wards. I did not fathom the thought of myself being in that very same situation. I hazily reached for a glass of water, but my trembling hands were too weak to hold. Why can’t I breathe? What has happened to me? I forced myself to take deep and slower breaths as I stood by the metallic window pane, having a clear view of the cigarette butts I had just discarded the previous day. It took me nearly two minutes to realize I was still sluggishly counting them. Hours passed, and I was able to breathe freely. However, I was certain that I was sick, and needed urgent medical attention. One thing with medical students, they will always visit health practitioners as a last resort, and it was no different for me.

I walked to the school clinic. My jacket was not doing me any better, as I was shaking and cluttering my teeth from the intense and bone-deep chills. Outside, the sun was scorching.” Please fill in your details in this form”. The lady at the reception desk signaled me. I walked past a group of students who were deeply engrossed in whatever they were doing on their mobile phones. The receptionist then asked for my Student ID, which I did not have. While leaning against the wall, I mumbled something, which signaled that I lacked it. She had been in this business for so long and she knew what I meant. She then signaled me to sit down, barely looking at my face. I now had to wait for my turn. After what seemed like an eternity, I was called into the doctor's office. By now, I could barely walk unsupported.

I walked into the office, barely responding to what the doctor was asking. His words sounded like distant murmurs. He also signaled me onto the examination couch, which was a great relief to me. His stethoscope was very cold, but he had to do this. I was barely responding to his questions. “When did the symptoms begin? Is there a cough? Have you traveled or met a person with such symptoms before?” I sluggishly responded. I knew I was exposed to the risk factors he was particularly concerned with. Days ago, I had written my last exams for the academic year and I was now celebrating. As comrades, we call it ‘Kupiga Sherehe’. In that period alone, I had smoked over thirty packets of Dunhill, and still counting. My favorite joint was Downtown, where Liquor and other substances were on crazy offers. For comrades like me, this was a haven. The doctor continued asking about my symptoms, one question blurring into the other as I was struggling to keep awake. I gave snippets in response. Good thing, the doctor was able to understand me. With a deeply concerned voice, he ordered a Chest x-ray and some blood tests. My lung sounds were not normal, that was what he told me. The x-ray technician also took his time with me. After what seemed to be an eternity, he handed me my film. The chest X-ray confirmed his suspicions-consolidations on the upper and middle lobes of the right lung- this was classic for Pneumonia in this case. “It is PNEUMONIA, we will have to immediately start you on treatment”, the doctor firmly said upon receiving the film and blood test results.

I was immediately started on Intravenous Ceftriaxone. Afterward, from the second day, I was put on oral ANTIBIOTICS for ten days. The doctor also insisted on the role of adequate rest and hydration in my journey towards a complete recovery. I would avoid strenuous exercise as well as continue taking enough fluids. To alleviate the fever, he prescribed a dose of acetaminophen for five days, which I religiously took. In three days, I had recovered-at least to my knowledge and how I was feeling.

The experience That I had with Pneumonia, though unexpected, reminded me of the need to maintain good health practices. At my age, I did not expect to be humbled by a bout of Pneumonia but I learned the magnitude of the resilience of my body. Ever since, I always carry a very deep appreciation for my healthy body, bearing in mind that health is a gift worth protecting.