By Alfred Odiakosa
The Death of DEATH.
This is the third week at the Female Medical Ward, Amarachi has gone restless due to the continuous tests recommended by the Consultant, Dr. Idonije.
"Haven't they figured out what's the matter with me? ", she asked her mother. With a gentle nudge and an emotion filled face, she replied, "No my dear. Jiri nwayoo ada m, o ga -adi mma" - Take it easy my daughter, it'll be fine. "Mummy. . . I'm just. . . I'm tired. What did I do to deserve this? Why me. . . ?", she sobs trying so hard to find her voice. "Please stop doing this to yourself, it's not helping the situation my dear. Have faith in your Maker", her mom admonished her.
"But this doesn't look good Chief", Dr. Iyamu referring to the test results as he points to some area on the plastic scan films. "You know. . . I suspected as much but we needed all the tests to confirm. Pancreatic Cancer is always undetectable until this stage. We have to tell the patient, counsel her and place her on palliative treatment. The spread is much on the liver and she's got so little time", Dr. Idonije, the Chief Consultant Hepatologist said.
"Mrs Onwuasoanya, may I have a moment with you ", Dr. Idonije gestured his hands from the work desk where he sat accessing the computer in the Female Medical Ward.
The four nurses on duty, the three resident doctors, a student doctor, Dr. Iyamu and Dr. Idonije all clustered around the desk. "Mrs Onwuasoanya, I have seen how strong you've been in all these but you have to be stronger. I'll give you the opportunity to relay whatever I tell you to our patient but if you can't, we will do it ourselves. We hoped for the better but it's unfortunate the results say otherwise, Amarachi has Pancreatic Cancer and it has metastasized. What I mean is that it has spread to the liver - the cancer is in it's fourth stage and all she needs is proper care and love. Her time with us is quite brief", Dr. Idonije said while patting Mrs Onwuasoanya's back whose eyes have moistened and reddened by the news.
"You mean there's nothing to do about it Doctor. . . ", she muttered. "Let's make her happy, that's the only option we're left with ", he said as he gestures to the nurses to take charge of the woman.
"Mummy, did I sleep for long? Did the doctors show up?", Amarachi asks.
"Yesss. . . my daughter. They said you'd be fine. Stop the worries inugo. . . everything will fall in place my dear ", she said while nodding as though that would stop Amarachi's inquisitiveness.
"I don't understand. . . what is happening to me has no name or what?, she queried.
Mrs Onwuasoanya had wanted to rely on the saying - 'ignorance is bliss' but it seems her daughter prefers knowledge to 'not knowing' even if it's hurtful. Her hands are tied, she must break the Nsugbe cocunut.
"Amara. . .it's Cancer, Pancreatic cancer. But the Doctor said you'll be fine dear", she made the last effort to salvage the situation.
Amara remained still for about two minutes before she picked up her smartphone and typed in. . . "Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer".
. .on her phone's browser. All she saw reminded her about the nightmarish looks of cancer patients undergoing treatment in the movies.
"I need your help Sam, just this last time. I'm at war with death and death always wins but I intend defeating it. I read about this drug - Nembutal, can you find it for me? I'll be eternally grateful, please treat as urgent", She pressed send.
"This is wild Amy! How do you intend defeating death by killing yourself? I can't bear the guilt of having a hand in your death", Sam replied. Sam is Amarachi's College friend and an intern Pharmacist.
"I haven't really asked you for a favour and I know you also don't wish to feel guilty about not doing something to ease my suffering. This is entirely my decision. . . no one has to know unless you tell them. I'm deleting all our chats. Get me the stuff tomorrow. Thanks for being the friend that came through at my hour of need ", Amy replied Sam.
Sam was in obvious dilemma, he was literally between the devil and the deep blue sea. Sam arrived the hospital about three hours later with plastic bag of fruits in one hand and a card envelope on the armpit of the other hand. After exchanging pleasantries with Amarachi's mother he headed to the chair close to the patient's bed. "Let me get something to eat at the canteen ", Mrs Onwuasoanya said looking at both Amara and Sam as she rearrange the Ankara wrapper on her waist.
"Did you get it Sam"?, Amarachi asked as soon as her mother's out of sight. "Amy. . .do you really want this. . . "Oh please Sam, spare me that, I'm talking about the last dignity I possess as a human. I guess you want to be seeing my ghostly self instead right. . . I don't want that Sam. I prefer to take away the glory death intends to have with my predicament. What is death without its glory and might? That's what I intend to take away from death. . . to me, this will be the death of Death", Amy lamented.
"It’s in the card inside this envelope. . . just enough dose Amy. When do you intend taking it "?, Sam queried. "Today has to be my last. . . I don’t intend to see another daybreak. And Sam, thanks a lot. I know I won’t be able to repay this but I am eternally grateful. This is also a goodbye you know. . . ", Amy said.
