Page 19 - November 2021 IB FINAL

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because they were both not telling us exactly what they were
going through.
When we brought mum to the hospital, her oxygen satura-
tion level had dropped to 70%. It was the first time she was
experiencing that. We were told it was well below what was
required for a person to function normally. She had not passed
out and was not showing any telling signs of distress.
She was immediately put on oxygen and given medication.
Her test results came back positive with traces of COVID-19.
The next day, we brought in dad. He too tested positive.

Management of mind
We made a decision not to tell them about the COVID-19
positive test results to manage their state of mind. Instead,
we told them that they had chest infections that had to be
treated in the hospital.
We asked lots of questions about COVID-19 management.
The two doctors present explained that they have to man-
age multiple symptoms that can vary. As in our mum’s and
dad’s case, one had fever, the other didn’t. One had extreme Over the three days after discharge, everyone who came
shortness of breath, the other was somewhat tolerant of low forward to help (even when we didn’t ask), had been through
oxygen levels but still needed oxygen from time to time. their own COVID crisis, had either lost family members or
Our dad was discharged after two days. Mum stayed on for were in recovery. Each of them knew intimately well, how
a whole week. She remained dependent on oxygen for the taxing is to families.
whole time.
Both have never had to rely on oxygen or have never really Drawing on our strengths
suffered from severe pneumonia that required lengthy hospi- Recovery is hard. Care is mentally taxing on the carer.
talisation. COVID-19 is not the usual kind of illness. The best way to
By the end of the week, she was on the road to recovery. explain it for the understanding of non-medical people is that
All the medication had been given or prescribed. It was now a it is a collection of symptoms which have to be treated. It
matter of getting her discharged and managing her recovery looks like malaria, dengue, pneumonia and asthma all in one.
at home. For some, recovery is fast. For older people, it takes longer.
The patient has to be helped to bathe and go to the toilet.
High cost to families The carer has to be vigilant against secondary infections that
When we went to the oxygen bottle supplier, BOC, we were may come about as a result of poor care. For older people
confronted with the reality of high cost of COVID-19 manage- and other severe cases, it is a delicate trade off - personal
ment for families. There are three parts to the oxygen rig: dignity vs care and survival.
1. Oxygen bottle (We opted for a medium size bottle) – K700+ For Papua New Guinean elders, they need their children
2. Flow meter – K400+ around them for support. The reason is simple, they will need
3. Regulator – K1500+ to go to the toilet and to wash with the help of people they
trust. The western style of total isolation doesn’t work for us.
We found that the regulator, which is sold by Meddent, a We are a spiritual people who need to stay connected to our
medical equipment supplier in Port Moresby, is more ex- kin who will protect their dignity.
pensive than the oxygen bottle and that an oxygen bottle I hate COVID-19 with a passion. But this crisis is teaching us
replacement is cheaper that the initial cost. compassion, kindness, respect and patience. It is teaching us
We were fortunate that a friend gave us a rig that had the to reach deep into our personal reserves and find the strength
regulator and flowmeter together and we were able to save to support each other.
costs. There’s simply no room for negativity. Siblings can’t afford
to fight or disagree when you’re dealing with elderly parents.
Support from family and friends You have to be of one mind in order to succeed.
Within the first 24 hours, we faced another crisis. The We still have a long way to go. I write this in the hope that
oxygen bottle was depleted. It was night and we didn’t know it will assist other families who are going through the CO-
where to get another bottle. We didn’t know how long it VID-19 crisis.
would last.
We reached out to friends and family, and they assisted. editor@islandsbusiness.com
One part of our extended family supplied a brand-new oxygen
bottle. Scott Waide is a Papua New Guinean journalist.

Islands Business, November 2021 19