…is the operating table
A 30-year-old patient from Andahuaylas comes to the Hospital Diospi Suyana. Dr. Martina John examines the mother of two children because of her unexplained abdominal pain. The laboratory tests reveal a positive pregnancy test. Then it’s time for an ultrasound. Her gallstones explain at least part of her complaints. But even more significant is her ectopic pregnancy. Explanation: If the fertilized egg does not grow in the uterus but in the free abdominal cavity, immediate action is required. Massive bleeding can endanger a woman’s life at any time.
Gynecologist Dr. Peter Gilbert and surgeon Dr. Lukas Steffen immediately offer to help, but the patient does not want an operation. Despite being fully informed, she decides to leave the hospital against medical advice. She drives five hours back to her home town. Two days later she is back and is finally on the operating table. Even light contact with the surgical instruments causes heavy bleeding. Fortunately, Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Steffen are able to perform the life-saving operation immediately. If the blood loss had happened in the car – triggered by a jolt, for example – she would certainly have bled to death in a few minutes.
Last week, the Quechua woman was released home healthy and grateful. She probably didn’t really realize that she had come face to face with death. Dr. Gilbert refers to the picture on the wall and says: “For our patient, the missionary hospital was like Noah’s Ark that saved her!”
Addendum: The gall bladder with the stones, the reason for her first visit, was also removed. So she received the full service.
