I swallowed the wrong Drug. Will i die?

Am I going to die? I swallowed the wrong pill.

That was exactly me one day. The thought occupied the better part of my day, with confusion and fear.

I am a firstborn, coming from a very humble background, having faced several challenges—financial, family, and psychological. But those stories are for another day. This time, I had just completed campus, awaiting my internship and graduation. Our country was grappling with political instability and healthcare crises, with the fresh memory of doctors on strike over the failure to post medical interns.

The day I swallowed the wrong drug still feels so fresh in my mind, as if it happened yesterday.

I had gone back to the village to visit my siblings, which I manage to do every 7-8 months. The situation at home was no better. My innocent brothers, full of expectations, asked me things like, “Big sis, where is your car? Like the ones in the movies,” because I was a fresh graduate in their eyes. They asked when I would take them to my house, but I couldn’t afford rent. I was unemployed, with no capital to start a business. The questions were endless, and I could feel the weight of disappointment in everyone’s eyes.

How could I explain to everyone that I needed to complete an internship to get licensed?

I watched my parents struggle silently with the weight of their hopes and sacrifices. One morning, I decided I would change the trend. My sibling had a few chickens, so I asked him for some eggs, sold them off, added a few coins, and promised my "babies" that I'd return with gifts.

It was a teary moment as I left the village.

I took a bus back to the city, thinking of what was next. I bought a mask, put on shades, and covered myself with a hoodie. The four-hour ride felt endless. I couldn’t hold back my tears, the kids’ words echoing in my ears. “I love you, take care,” they had said. But all I could feel was that I had failed them. My parents had sacrificed everything for my education, but here I was, still struggling.

I cried the entire journey.

When I finally reached the city, I stayed at a friend’s place, trying to put my thoughts together. Eventually, I started a small business selling socks and handkerchiefs. It wasn’t much, but it gave me some hope. A week later, I was back in the city to restock, but that’s when everything went downhill.

I was hit with a throbbing headache while shopping under the tough sun. Desperate, I bought some painkillers, dropped it in my bag, and continued shopping. After 30 minutes, there was no relief. I reached into my bag, grabbed a tablet, and swallowed it with water, hoping for the best.

Then came the shock.

I went to pay for something, and as I opened my wallet, I saw the tablet I had purchased earlier.

What had I just swallowed?

Panic set in. My bag had several tablets for different purposes. I swallowed the wrong one! Anxiety and confusion overwhelmed me. I considered inducing vomiting. My mind raced through worst-case scenarios.

I rushed into a clinic. The first thing they told me was, “Calm down, drink some water.”

After an evaluation, the doctor reassured me that the tablet wasn’t harmful. I finally felt a wave of relief. But the entire experience got me thinking

How did I get here?

The truth is, I hadn’t slept properly for 48 hours. I was spending nights trying to perfect my small business—listening to podcasts, watching videos, and reading articles. During the day, I would be out selling. In all of this, I barely slept more than two hours.

Ladies, pull your seats closer. Do you actually rest, or do you just sleep? This whole saga taught me an important lesson: lack of sleep can lead to unnecessary stress, confusion, and even poor decisions. Sleep isn’t just about shutting your eyes; it’s about truly resting your mind and body.

If you’re reading this today, hear me out. Close that book, switch off your phone, and rest. Your brain needs rest for a productive day. Sleep is crucial for women’s mental health, helping to relieve stress, improve clarity, and maintain emotional balance.

Enough Sleep allows you to approach everything with resilience.

It allows you to make effective decisions.unlike i did just swallow a tablet without even looking at it.

Adequate Sleep gives you focus and reduces anxiety.

Today, i was able yo talk to over one hundred girls with the age of 14-21 years in Mlolongo. I emphasized on the need of adequate sleep with continous determination and hardwork towards achieving our dreams.

I hope someone will grab something from my experience.NITASIMAMA(i will stand) to voice the need of adequate rest!