"It's not easy to change all these children to a new school, remember we will need to pay new registration fee, entrance exam fee, buy new uniforms and even new set of textbooks for all six of them. This is a heavy load for me", Said Mr Nwosu, A man with five beautiful daughters and a son, to his wife, Mrs Nwosu.
"I know the load is heavy, but we must give this children the best, you're the one who told me from the beginning that you can handle the load of six children. It's time for you to prove it" Replied Mrs Nwosu.
"What are you trying to say now, do you want to put the whole blame on me? You're also part of this family, you should be assisting too" Continued Mr Nwosu.
"Between the both of us, who assists the family more? Don't get me provoked o, don't even get me provoked" Said Mrs Nwosu in reply.
The argument was heated until a shivering voice was heard from inside the one room where all six children stays. They wondered what was wrong. Until Success, the last born hurriedly came to the sitting room to tell them that Nkechi, the second daughter is severely sick.
Mr Nwosu asked gis wife to go and check what was wrong with her daughter. Mrs Nwosu went into the room and found that her daughter was very feverish and she was also shivering.
It must be Malaria!, She concluded.
Now Malaria is a common disease in their village and they are already used to getting sick of the disease, they know it when it comes because it's symptoms are unique. So Nkechi's symptoms matched with the symptoms of this their common but dreaded diseases, thus the conclusion.
Mrs Nwosu assured her daughter that she'd be fine and then went to meet her husband to collect some money for treatment for her daughter.
Is it Malaria? Asked Mr Nwosu.
Yes, as usual, replied Mrs Nwosu.
Mr Nwosu Nodded in agreement and put hand in his trouser pocket, and he brought out N200 and gave to his wife.
Go to the nearby Chemist, tell them to give you malaria drugs for our daughter.
Mrs Nwosu took the money and hurried out to get the medicines.
The chemist gave her a mixture of Lumartem plus, Paracetamol, and two more medicines she didn't know the names, it was mixed and wrapped in one little bag.
"Madam, you would have brought N400 so that you get this mixture ×2 so she takes it this morning and another in the night", said the chemist.
"My dear this is what my husband gave me, N200, but don't worry, Maybe before evening I'll come back and you mix another one for me, Replied Mrs Nwosu.
So she rushed home to give her daughter the medicine, she saw that she was even throwing up. "This is different," she thought!
But anyway she gave her daughter the medicine and told her to take it after she eat something, she also told her to make sure she eats her food before taking the drugs.
Nkechi was too tired to take her drugs so she still lay low on the bed and didn't get up.
Her father, Mr Nwosu came into the room and saw that the medicine was still there. He asked her why she hasn't taken it yet but she said she was too weak.
Mr Nwosu's reaction was scolding her and in his words he told her that she should take that medicine, he also warned her not to make others think that he doesn't take care of his children.
With this nkechi had to force herself to get up and take her medicine, she remembered to take some food too though she didn't have the appetite but she doesn't want her father to scold her again.
After taking the drugs the symptoms persisted, they were still buying her more malaria drugs till after three days, which is the expected time for the symptoms to heal, but it still persisted, then her parents concluded that maybe she also has typhoid, they went back to the same chemist and mixed both malaria and typhoid medicine for her.
She kept on taking the drugs but nothing happened.
The next day, an uncle who lived in another country, Uncle Jerry visited them and they told him their predicament and what they have been doing about it.
Uncle Jerry was furious at them and warned that they shouldn't be giving the child medication without doctor's diagnostics and prescription.
"But we don't have the money to go to the hospital for check-up, they charge a lot of fee just to even book appointment with the doctor, and other fees for diagnosis and then treatment, we don't have that type of money, besides we know it's Malaria that our daughter is sick of, that's the common disease here, and her symptoms matches, so why should we waste our money on diagnosis?" Said the couple in agreement.
Uncle Jerry told them that they are doing everything wrong. They shouldn't call taking care of their daughter's health waste of money. He also offered to take the child to the hospital.
Uncle Jerry paid to book the doctor's appointment, paid for the diagnosis and they waited for the results.
The doctor finally came out with the result...
It's Malaria right? Asked Mrs Nwosu!
Your daughter is not sick with Malaria.
What! Shouted Mr and Mrs Nwosu!
Then what is wrong with her, doctor? Asked uncle Jerry.
The doctor handed the results to them and Mr Nwosu read it, his curious wife also took it from him and read, She fainted even before reading to the end...The doctor took immediate action on her.
Everyone was surprised and wondered what the result said, what does Mrs Nwosu's daughter have?..
[TO BE CONTINUED]
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