Staying in touch with the clients…

We’re already in the final week of February (already?!). I was looking through my log book (I have one book specifically for me to note down and scribble matters pertaining to Buddies), scribbling down things to be discussed in the coming Board meeting on Tuesday night, when I noticed that I had not been doing any house visits at all in February. Other than the month being shorter than the rest, there was also the CNY break when I decided to take a break for myself as well. Besides, basically all the children’s back-to-school expenses had been settled and so I didn’t really need to run around as much as I had to in December/January.

I did visit Azimah at the beginning of this month, but since she didn’t want me to visit her at home, I met up with her elsewhere in town.

I also met Asiah when she came to Ipoh for her blood test, but then again, it wasn’t a house visit. As a matter of fact, I have never visited Asiah at her home before. The last time I and 2 other volunteers went to visit her at her hometown, we met her in town, not at her home.

I met up with Halimah at the hospital, again not a house visit. While Halimah and her husband do not mind us Buddies visiting them at home, I have yet to do so. Halimah, along with Azimah, are my latest clients and I went to visit Azimah first as I consider her case more urgent. For the moment Halimah needs to come to Ipoh quite often for her appointments before she delivers her baby, I will probably only visit her at home after she delivers.

Other than the above, all other contacts with the PLHIV infected/affected families were either by calls or SMS.

Mrs K sent me a text message during the CNY break, asking me when I’d be visiting her at her new place. I had been keeping a distance from her ever since she tried time and again to borrow money from me, and I think she knew I got rather pissed off with her. I am only monitoring her children’s school bus fares, which are banked in direct into the account of the bus operator.

Shila too sent me a text message even though I am not her buddy… asking me if I was busy and if I had started work (after the CNY break). The moment I told her I was already at my office, she replied, “Tngah kerja. OK x nk gnggu.” Obviously it wasn’t any serious matter – she just wanted to chat with somebody. I have introduced the PLHIV women to each other, and told them to exchange contact numbers so they could call/SMS each other whenever they feel like chatting with somebody. But I guess sometimes they don’t get the replies from their felllow PLHIVs due to “habis credit”, so they end up contacting me instead.

Today Rosnah’s SMS came in – informing me of her new phone number. Sigh, why lah these people like to change their phone numbers so often? I bet most of the contact numbers of our PLHIV clients that are kept in the files at our centre are no longer valid! I personally have been using the very same number ever since I first started using the hand phone more than 15 years ago. The only change made was the change from 010 to 019 (the earlier one didn’t use SIM card) but the rest of the 7 digit numbers had remained the same.

Anyway, I intend to visit Lin and send this month’s supply of groceries to her before my office trip this Friday, so that will probably be my only house visit for the month.

There are quite a number of clients whom I have not contacted for quite some time – Ifa, Sha, Ani, Nuri, Suhaila, Maria amongst them. I’d better call them up to find out how they’re doing… but I think I’ll wait until I come back from my trip.

What about Yah? Oh forget it, I’d have to wait for her to call me – she changes phone numbers as often as she changes her clothes! (Ok, ok, I’m exaggerating of course, but really,  every time she calls it’d be from a different number…)

Oh makcik where art thou?

Wednesday, 6th June 2007:
When SN told me during my clinic duty Makcik Minah had to be warded earlier, I thought that was the reason nobody answered my calls. Then SN said makcik was supposed to come to the HIV clinic on Friday so I thought I’d just meet her then. I totally forgot to ask if Makcik Minah had been discharged.

5.45pm: Received SMS from Zana asking me to help find her another shelter home for her to stay. She said she was no longer on talking terms with the other occupants of the present shelter home. Aiyo this woman... I told her I would have to ask around. The fact is, I’d need to discuss the matter with Kak Hawa first. Kak Hawa stays at the other house where most of the children are.

Thursday, 7th June 2007:
I was fast asleep when suddenly I heard the James Bond ring tone on my handphone. Yep, my PLWHA client assigned ring tone. Was a bit blur at that time… not sure what time it was… when I answered the call, Mrs. K asked me to call back. I just said okay, and looked at the time… it was 4.30 am. WHAT?? 4.30 AM?!! No more blur… there and then I became wide awake. They wouldn’t call me at ungodly hours unless it’s really important. I called back and was told that Mr. K was having breathing difficulty and they wanted to bring him to the hospital. Mrs. K asked if it was okay to bring him to the nearest hospital (his medical records are all at Ipoh GH). Mr. K was supposed to come to Ipoh GH this very day for an appointment at the TB Clinic so Mrs. K was wondering if she should bring him direct to Ipoh GH. Told her to just go to the nearest hospital and inform the people there. If there was a need, then those at the nearest hospital would bring him to Ipoh GH in their ambulance.

10.30am: Tried to call Makcik Minah at home again. And again, nobody answered. I started wondering if Makcik Minah was still in the ward. So I decided to call SN to ask. I was told by SN that Makcik was discharged more than a week ago and should be back home. Since she’s supposed to come on Friday, I told SN I’d try to come on Friday to meet her. SN advised that I should call the clinic first on Friday just to be sure Makcik comes for her appointment. Otherwise I’d just be wasting my time at the hospital… and torture myself for another round of finding a parking space... all for nothing.

10.55am: Received SMS from Mrs. K’s son telling me that Mr. K was okay and that he was already at Ipoh GH for his TB clinic appointment. Mrs. K also sent her apologies for calling me at 4.30 am… she said she panicked and didn’t know what else to do or who else to call.

1.08pm: Mrs.X called. She said Mr.X did another blood test recently and was told that “Ada bakteria dalam darah”. Mr. and Mrs. X were wondering if the bacteria were caused by HIV. I asked what was written at the HIV section of the blood test results. Mrs.X said it was written as non-reactive. I told her that the results would say reactive if there were any signs of HIV infection. I asked how Mr.X was doing. According to Mrs. X, although her husband is no longer attempting suicide, he is still talking all sorts of nonsense – no matter what people say he still thinks he has been infected. Oh dear…

4.00pm: Called Ani to ask if she has got her medical report for EPF withdrawal purposes. The people at the hospital records department promised it should be ready within 2 months, which they will send by post. It is now more than 2 months. Ani was not around when I called but her husband answered the phone and told me they have not received anything. Since they have to come to Ipoh GH on 20th June for their next appointment, they thought they’d call me then so we could go check on the matter together.

Friday, 8th June 2007:
9.30am: Called SN to ask if Makcik Minah had arrived at the HIV clinic. SN said there was no sign of her yet and told me to try again later.

9.40am: Decided to call Nuri. I haven’t heard from her for quite some time. Nuri and her daughter Farah seem to be doing fine. Since it is still school holidays, she doesn’t operate her food stall this week, but should start operating again next week.

11.30am: Tried calling SN again. Her assistant answered. I was told there was still no sign of Makcik Minah. Today’s Friday and clinic time is only until 12 noon. If Makcik Minah was still not there, chances were she wouldn’t show up for her appointment. Mana pulak pergi Makcik Minah ni…

11.40am: Suddenly I remembered Lily’s children. I have not heard anything since Lily’s funeral, so I decided to call Roy, her possessive friend. He’s my only means of contact with the children for the time being. Roy said the children are now staying with their uncle (Lily’s brother) not far from their old home. So, they don’t have to change to a new school. Roy acted as though he had the authority – he said we’ll see first for 2 months how this uncle treat the children to really decide if the children should continue staying there. I told Roy I’d need the new guardian’s photocopy of IC and bank account number so I can submit it for MAC’s Pediatric Aids Funds. The one submitted earlier was under Lily’s name and using Lily’s bank account number. Roy had the cheek to ask if we could give his IC and account number instead. I politely told him that the person has to be a family member. I asked Roy to get the uncle to call me. Roy instead told me that he will call me back after he gets hold of the uncle. Looks like Roy doesn’t want me to have direct contact with the new guardian. He wants to know every detail of what goes on. Let’s just see… I hope the address on the uncle’s IC will show his present address. Then once I get the photocopy of his IC, I can go visit them direct without Roy interfering…

1.05pm: On my way home from my office, I decided to drop by Zainab’s house. Her house is quite near my office. I’ve been trying to call her for some time but couldn’t get through. The last time I went to visit, nobody was home. I thought I’d just give it another try this time… and yes, was lucky. The door was open so Zainab must be at home. Found out that I couldn’t call her as her handphone was no longer usable. Also found out that Zaki is no longer working. Oh dear, that means they’re back to square one… meaning Zainab has to support the whole family. Not enough money, yet Zaki was still smoking when I visited them.

2.40pm: Decided to give Maria a call. She’s another one I have not contacted for some time. Maria and baby seemed to be doing fine. I told her about our planned Family Day in August. Maria sounded very much interested. I promised to call her again once the venue is confirmed.

3.00pm: Still thinking about Makcik Minah. Why didn’t she turn up for her appointment? As I was writing up this post, I decided to give her another call. And again, nobody answered. This old lady stays alone. What may have happened to her? Before anyone starts thinking that her one and only son is neglecting his mother, bear in mind the son had actually asked his mother to stay with him in KL where he works, but Makcik Minah herself refused because of the usual ayam itik excuse. Ayam itik excuse?? Well, you know… “Kalau mak ikut pergi sana nanti ayam itik kat kampong siapa nak bagi makan?”

Since Makcik Minah was hospitalized recently, my hope now is that Makcik Minah’s son from KL came to fetch her and brought her back to KL with him. But I can’t be too sure unless I can get hold of them.

Makcik oh makcik… where art thou?