A life of uncertainty
Chineza Harte
Chineza Harte

– Chineza Harte explains how she has lived through one misdiagnosis to another

By Akola Thompson
From infancy, Chineza Harte, now 31, has been a frequent visitor to hospitals. Casts being fitted for her broken bones was an activity she despised but eventually began to come to terms with.Childhood, she explained was “not exactly fun” as being born with a disease, which causes weak bones, making them susceptible to frequent fractures, meant she could never partake in normal

Afya Harte
Afya Harte

activities such as running and playing. Childhood therefore was seen as “a sort of confinement.”

Adolescence was not easier, even though the fractures became fewer as she got older, with the last one being in 2006. Chineza still suffers from excruciating pain in the bones and joints, which often leaves her confined to a bed. When the pain is less, she tries to be active, but it does not always work.
“I have become used to it; I have to find a way because they tell me there is nothing they can do for me any longer,” she said.

She also pointed out that her case might be a complex one as she may have more than one illness, doctors have told her.

While it did present itself until in her early teens, Chineza believes she also has Dupuytren’s contracture, which has caused three of her fingers on each hand to be drawn into the palm.

“Sometimes, my hands get so weak that I can’t even hold a cup,” she said. “My fingers don’t hurt but my palms are in constant pain.”

Aside from having brittle bones, Chineza began having a lot of other illnesses, with one she believed could have led to her death at the age of 15. The explanation then was heart problems.

Shortly after, Chineza was misdiagnosed with Lupus and given medication, which caused several other health related complications such as urinary tension.

At the time, she had been preparing for CSEC and also began getting frequent migraines that would often hinder her from studying. Eventually, the migraines became worse and medical treatment was sought which saw Chineza being misdiagnosed with a brain tumor. Afraid that her life was in jeopardy, she went to seek treatment in Trinidad and began receiving wrong medications, which caused further complications such as seizures. At this point, Chineza had to stop studying as she could no longer cope, ending her desire to write five subjects at the CSEX examinations.
“That ruined my life,” said Chineza. “I was dedicated and was trying my utmost best to achieve and gain something…it ruined me.”
Due to the fact that she would now have to do the subjects privately, Chineza had to save money in order to write three subjects the next year and would later do a course in caring for the elderly.

She would later begin working as a caretaker at a private residence but when the woman passed, Chineza found it hard to secure another job due to her health complications.

Currently, Chineza works as a cleaner at the David Rose School for the handicapped. She stated that while it is not much, she enjoys it as it is not very demanding and gives her the opportunity to provide for herself and her daughter.

At the same time she said, she often thinks of how much her illness has served to hinder her from pursuing a lot of things in life.

“You know when you’re young and you have an idealized view of the world, people tell you you’d grow up, study, get a career, have your own home and all these things and here I am at this age, not even academically accomplished and all the dreams I have are gone.”

Still not certain whether she had Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) as there are no OI specialists in the country to determine that, Chineza claims that all she really wants now is to be diagnosed properly. “I know it won’t change anything but the fact that no one really knows what is wrong is a constant struggle, especially since my daughter has inherited this disease from me.”

Chineza’s daughter, Afya Harte who is now seven years old was born with a more severe form of Chineza’s illness and has been having fractures from the time she was six months old. In all, Afya has suffered 11 fractures since her birth, with the last one being in February of last year.

She said while it was difficult explaining to Afya why she could not run and play as other children did when she was younger, it is now becoming easier as Afya herself is now conscious of her illness and refuses to partake in any strenuous activities.

“I don’t want my daughter to go through what I went through and still going through,” said Chineza.

“ I don’t want her to live with the same uncertainty that I have lived with my entire life regarding my illness.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.