Yao's health is seriously compromised by her size, and even though her condition could be treated and controlled, doctors in China have turned her away. Since she has no way to pay for the medication needed, or the multiple surgeries, she cannot have the treatment that she so desperatley needs. During this documentary they took her to the hospital to be evaluated, she hadn't been seen my a doctor for four years. They found that they tumor had increased in size, along with her height. But rather than telling Yao this, (informing the patient) they told her brother about her tumor and that she would soon die of complications if not treated. After ten days in the hospital Yao still had no idea that her tumor had increased or of her condition. It was her brothers duty to relay the doctors message to her, the doctors don't usually tell the patients themselves of their conditions. This reminded me of the discussions we had today about the different cultures and their healthcare.
Another issue shown on the documentary, was when the best neurosurgeon in China came to visit the rural hospital to see Yao, after seeing her and evaluating her case, he decided he could treat her free of charge and told the doctors at the rural hospital this. But the original doctors treating Yao had too much "pride" and wouldn't tell her about the opportunity. So she ended up going home not knowing her condition, without the proper medication, and without treatment, The commentator said this was a common practice, because suggesting and allowing another doctor to treat her would show weakness.
In the end the neurosurgeon contacted Yao privately to see if she would except his treatment. She said yes and that is where the show ended. But I think this is a very insightful look into another cultures norms and how their healthcare is practiced. For them it would seem that a person dying of a curable condition would be better than showing weakness, or asking for help.
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WOW, its weird how we, Americans, can complain so much about small things but it took years for this women in China to get surgery or help for something that is curable. It is amazing how we , yes I am saying we because I often do it, take for granted all the things we have like medical insurance or enough money to pay for things like surgery or going to the doctor when we have the sniffles. Unfortunately many, even in America, do not have the privileges to get such things so that is why I was raised to never questioned or feel down because someone may be doing worse than I am.
ReplyDeleteWe talk a lot about situations like this in my professionalism class. A lot of Asian cultures have this since of pride and feel like its an embarassment to go to the hospital. Many individuals wait until it is too late to seek help becasue of their pride. Also, I think it is so amazing how a tumor on the pituitary gland, that little itty bitty gland, can cause your body to grow like that. Cancer is just an outrageous field all together.
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