Health

The Christmas of 1987 found me admitted at Agha Khan Hospital, Nairobi, with malaria. I still remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday - the great party that the hospital threw for us made it memorable.

You might not be very lucky and end up sick or already are. However, your loved ones can help make this festive time memorable, writes Anne M. Mpaulo

The Christmas of 1987 found me admitted at Agha Khan Hospital, Nairobi, with malaria. I still remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday - the great party that the hospital threw for us made it memorable. One of the smaller wards was decorated with colourful wallpaper, a Christmas tree and the whole shebang. Mattresses and air cushions were laid on the floor for us to sit or lie on.

A big television was brought in and we watched Scrooge’s Christmas, Peter Pan’s Christmas and a few other Christmas movies. There was a clown who made us laugh very hard even thistmas tree and the whole shebang. Mattresses and air cushions were laid on the floor for us to sit or lie on. A big television was brought in and we watched Scrooge’s Christmas, Peter Pan’s Christmas and a few other Christmas movies.

There was a clown who made us laugh very hard even though we were in pain and presents were given out to every child. My parents came and had lunch with me and though there was cake, lots of juice, chips, chicken, ice cream, jelly and sweets, try as I might, I couldn’t get much into my tummy. Regardless, I remember that it was one of my best Christmases ever and for a moment; I actually fough we were in pain and presents were given out to every child. My parents came and had lunch with me and though there was cake, lots of juice, chips, chicken, ice cream, jelly and sweets, try as I might, I couldn’t get much into my tummy. Regardless, I remember that it was one of my best Christmases ever and for a moment; I actually forgot that I was sick.

It is very easy to feel that nobody around you has the right to have fun because you are sick. This is selfish and somewhat immature; the only thing you will achieve is dampening the mood and eventually spoiling the day for everybody else. The fact that they have chosen to spend Christmas with you should be enough proof that they love you. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and enjoy the festive day with your family and friends. The least you can do is try not to whine at least just for Christmas day.

As we all know, being unwell during festivities can be very dampening especially when nothing is done to ensure that the sick are as comfortable as possible. The plans of the day don’t have to entirely change just because someone has fallen sick. My worst Christmas was when my cousin got measles while we were in the village on the eve of Christmas day. The worst part was that everything was put on hold for him. We didn’t even go to church, the food was lousy and we were not allowed to watch television because it would make “noise” for him. So for the sake of everyone else in the family and the patient, try to engage in activities that will include the sick person.

Going to church with them would probably be out of the question because of the loud noise there. If on the other hand they are not disturbed by the noise, you can get them a wheelchair to help ease movement. If you usually attend the night prayers for Christmas day, see to it that asthmatics do not attend because the cold could bring on an attack.

If you were planning to take your family out for the day, you could still do so but to a place that would cater for everyone’s needs. The best place would be the beach since a mat can be laid out for the patient to lie in a quiet spot and enjoy the breeze as the other members of the family go swimming, dancing etc.

Dr Simon Peter Masaba of Safeguard Nursing Home in Makindye says, “The best foods to serve the sick are those rich in vitamins because these speed recovery. Endeavour to serve them boiled greens like nakati and dodo and fruits like mangoes and oranges and also lots of water and juice; these help the patient to replace lost fluids. You can also make them soup from beans, or meat. Remember never to force patients to eat but rather encourage them to.”

If someone has been hospitalised conditionally, like if they are about to give birth, you can take the Christmas joy to them by gathering your family and taking them to enjoy lunch with the admitted person. To avoid the smell of the hospital, you can sit outside for a picnic lunch. For patients who are terminally ill, palliative care pain management is the way to go but if you cannot afford that, the best you can do is ensure they have pain killers and are as comfortable as possible. Encourage them to sit outdoors and allow them to have as much rest as possible. If they are too weak to get out of bed, you can take the TV to their room or even play board games with them.

You should also ensure that patients who have long term illnesses do not divert from their medication or do anything that will compromise their situation like taking alcohol. Dr Masaba emphasises the safety of epileptics – keep them away from the kitchen and water bodies like swimming pools and lakes to avoid fatal accidents in case of a seizure.

“Every family should be prepared for any situation by keeping drugs for first aid; these include antihistamines like adrenaline which are used to revive people who have fainted or those in shock. Hydrocortisone is also an anti inflammatory drug used on snake bite victims or to counteract the reaction one may get after eating meat if they are allergic to it. Diazepam is an essential first aid for epileptics in arresting seizures but it has to be administered intravenously (through the veins),” Dr Masaba advises.

Just remember that disease does not make an appointment and tends to hit us when we least expect it. Take anti malarial tablets and remember to always wash your hands and drink boiled water. In general, adhere to basic sanitation. Live healthy so that you can enjoy the Christmas season.