Yesterday they brought Santosh to JSK. The pastor, Mira and another man. Santosh was not himself. He curled in a small ball. He got up and acted without control. He lay down again.
He has been suffering with headaches and nausea for a month. The couple has been medicating using head-ache pills for this time.
Yesterday Mira admitted to the pastor that Santosh was HIV positive. And when they brought
Santosh to the centre Mira told Sheba that she was positive as well.Its a crying shame. The pastor was so willing to help. He thought that HIV may be involved at some level. He tried to get Santosh to come to JSK for a checkup.
The family was just too scared. It was a family of two - with Santosh and Mira against the world. Too afraid to let her parents know lest they be disowned completely. Too afraid to let the pastor know.
Sheba feels that Santosh may have a lesion on his brain. Or it may be an untreated syphillus. Treatments are possible but need an immediate MRI and hospitalisation. We are unable to monitor Santosh in our present set up. We had to refer to one of the large government hospitals in Mumbai.
Thinking back on this dear tear-stained couple we realise 2 things.
1. We don't see this kind of neglect among the Positive Friends we are working with - because our staff and other church members are quick to pick up when something is going wrong - and able to treat or get treatment quickly.
2. As we move towards providing a wider suite of inpatient care services - beyond the rudamentary that we have on offer now - we are going to meet many, many more Santosh and Miras. People who are coming into contact with HIV care at a very critical and late stage in their infection. And the main reason is because of years of neglect. Years of fear. Years of hoping that things-will-work-out-and-we-will-deal-with-it-later.
Lord, help us.
Do say a prayer for Santosh - and for his brave and lonely wife Mira - and for the loving pastor who are trying to help in this complex situation.
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