{UAH} Caring and Sharing: Meet Mrs. Mary Akello

Caring and Sharing: Meet Mrs. Mary Akello

Posted by jssozi on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 · 0 Comments 

Mrs. Akello Mary Philomena is a 57 year old Nursing Officer working with Lira Hospital. She is also a trained Clinical Palliative Care Officer. PCAU is privileged to share her inspiring story with you.

I was trained as a nurse in the 70s. I started working as a student in Nsambya and later posted to St. Anthony's Hospital in Tororo. I came back to Mulago for further training. In 1987 I went to Nairobi National Hospital and that is when I learned about HOSPICE.

I have been a palliative care nurse since 2003 when I finished a course in Palliative care. I work with a team of 3 in the Palliative Care Unit at Lira Hospital.

FLASH BACK – 1970s

In the 70s we lacked knowledge of palliative care. Sickle cell patients would cry as we watched and there was nothing we could do. People suffering burns would cry in agony as we watched.

TURNING POINTS

In the 70s, there were many women who came to Nsambya Hospital with advanced Cancer of the Cervix and they were in pain. They had a nasty smell and the other patients were avoiding them. We were trained nurses but we had nothing to do for these patients.

When I came back from Kenya, I remember the year was 1998, my own brother in law was admitted at the cancer institute. He was in pain. Some people from Hospice Uganda used to visit him and when he came back home that is when I actually understood what palliative care means.

My father had a terminal illness, he had a heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses but because I was trained in pain management he died a pain free death. Our family was happy because we did not let him suffer the pain.

 

NORMAL DAY AT WORK

I am an early riser and the first thing in the morning is to put my day to God for guidance.

When we are dealing with palliative care we don't work on a first come first serve basis. First we assist those who are in severe pain. But we communicate to make sure that all patients are comfortable with this kind of arrangement.

On a normally day we handle between 15 and 20 patients.

 

MOST COMPLICATED SCENARIO

One time I received a patient who had tetanus. The patient had stiff jaws and a stiff body. The patient was in severe pain. Networking is so good because, I phoned one of the doctors I know through the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) and when I explained the scenario to Dr. Lydia, she told me to give the patient liquid morphine. In just minutes the pain was relived.

CHALLENGES:

When the drugs are there everything is ok. But, when the National Medical Store does not deliver the medicine, then we have a big challenge. However, I am the kind of person who makes noise – I make sure that the medicine is delivered on time.

At the end of the day when I go back to my home I reflect and I feel happy that I have a change in the life of a person who is feeling hopeless or helpless and his or her family.

SOURCE OF MY PASSION

I was the first person to be trained as a clinical palliative care nurse in Lira. As a nurse I had been seeing patients who had cancer, sickle cells and other diseases, the medicine they were receiving was not helping them. As a nurse, I saw people dying in pain everyday. So I said, I should be the person to help such patients.

I have learned that words are actually healing and that sometimes I have to walk the extra mile to support those who need me. I have also learned that I am a candidate of palliative care so that makes me think more about the patients because all of us are candidates of palliative care.

I enjoy my work, it gives me joy and happiness and at the end of the day I am satisfied with what I have done. I use a lot of reflection to help me understand how I can improve my time from time to time. I am a critical analyzer but most importantly I put myself in the shoes of my patients, if I was that patient, how would I want to be treated?

___________________________________

Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

"But this I know, UPC believed and still believes in

very high education. We can call Obote all bad names we have, but the bottom line remains that he got more scholarships for Buganda than all previous Uganda leaders combined. That includes Sir Edward Mutesa, President Lule, President Binayisa, up to and into Ssabasajja Mutebi. Who all happen to be Baganda leaders." Mulindwa

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