I've lived in Crown Heights for years. And have been to Kāmin Health several times and have…read morereceived adequate treatment and care. I've always been glad for their services and availability.
However, it is my last visit that I'd like to highlight. I'm a little over 7 months and am a first time mom. As anyone who is pregnant or ever has been can attest, there's a lot of weirdness that is happening with your body and health. A lot of things are considered common and/or normal. So it's hard to know when one should worry or when something is normal.
Prior to my visit, I was throwing up multiple times a day. I couldn't keep any food down at all. I'd be woken up from my sleep just to vomit. If I wasn't full out vomiting, I was gagging and choking on acid and bile. I thought it was bad heartburn and acid reflux. At my OB I complained about what was happening to me. They gave me a list of things to try and take. None of it stopped the multiple times of daily vomiting, heartburn, and then the respiratory issues that came as a result. Nothing I tried worked. I tried to drink water, electrolytes, eat bland. No matter what I did I'd throw everything up multiple times in the day. Needless to say, I was so weak, felt awful, and exhausted. My OB wanted me to rule out COVID. I headed to Kamin to get tested for COVID, and see if there was anything else I could do.
When I arrived I was greeted by two young women, Katarina and Nechama. They were both lovely, so helpful, and very comforting. I felt like I was going crazy due to how sick I've been, and they were amazing with normalizing what was happening with me. Katarina tested me for COVID, RSV and the Flu. And updated the PA, Alicia.
Alicia came in, listened to what I had experienced, and examined me. She confidently diagnosed me with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. And explained in depth what HG is. She started me on fluids due to my dehydration, and gave me anti-nausea/vomiting pill.
I'm telling you the relief was immediately felt! I literally could feel my strength coming back and the need to vomit decreasing.
When my treatment was done, Alicia and Katarina noted my demeanor change. And I confirmed how good I felt. Alicia gave me a prescription for the anti-nausea/vomiting meds and told me to come back anytime I felt dehydrated.
I was so excited to go back home as I was sure I'd finally get an uninterrupted night's sleep.
I have to point out that there is a maternal health crisis among Black birthing people. So it meant the world to me, as a Black woman to not just be taken seriously in regards to my health, but also being treated with so much care and attention.
I am so grateful for the team at Kamin who saw me that night!