Yo, if you have been following on the appendics story, well, I'd figure that I'd like write about today instead of just recapping it later.
Today is exactly 30 days after the surgery. You know something, since a week ago.. there's actually no pain at the appendics area. I'd almost forgotten that I ever went for surgery. But somehow, this morning, well... it came back. Was it because I was nervous about the follow-up visit? I don't know... but the pain.. it's real.
So off I went to the clinic. I was early, and I haven't had lunch... so I went in search of food. Ate two pieces of cake and had a sip of water. It was totally packed with people. I even spied some patients eating at the food-court. Hmm... I totally understand. Hospital food, I'm sorry to say.. it tasted really horrible. But then.. food is totally the least of our concern when we're sick.
Anyways, back to the story. The appointment card says 2.12pm.. so off I go in search of the clinic around 1.50pm. Didn't take long..quite easy to find... so I got a queue number around 1.59pm. Waited for about 20 minutes, and then it was my turn. Hmm.. I thought I went to the wrong room. Was expecting a Dr Shaik ( I saw him before ) but a young looking Chinese lad was there to greet me. Wonder why is it that the hospital has a knack of having different different doctors attending to a patient? Hmmm....
Anyways, he asked how I was. So I said fine but tired. So he said, "That's because you were resting quite a bit after the surgery." Hmm... I think a more plausible reason was... over-stressed by the fact that after two days of starting work, I had to do overtime to meet deadline. So the phrase, "Don't worry.. take as much time as you need to rest" given by the boss.. was taken literally but the consequences.. oh my... I got quite sick last week, where I had this intense headache and slight fever. I think the headache is from staring at the PC and the stress. Now I'm having flu. Better stock up on those vitamins... I need 'em! (Bless me.. I just sneezed!)
So the doctor gave me a clean bill of health, and he further reassured me that yes, I had appendicitis (really.. probably that's supposed to make me feel that it was money well spent?) and no further appointment needed. He printed me a report on the appendix specimen that was sent to the lab. It says smthg like... "..blood found in lumen..2 blocks" Yikes.. who can understand those? But I'm still experiencing pain on the lower right side of the abdomen. Doctor said, "Well.. it's only been one month since the operation. So that's normal." But I forgot to ask... erm... how long should I expect the pain to last and then it should be considered abnormal? So they gave me an open-date appointment, and I said.. ok.. what's an open-date? The nurse who's manning the cashier explained, that it's a term to say that I can go and make other appointment with the doctor within a year and it'll still be valid for subsidy. So I went... ohh.... I see...monetary stuffs.
So yeah.. that's basically it. Back to normal.. and to my mundane life. Thank God for the experience! In my next chapters of the story... (which I hope you're not that bored yet.. but then I don't really have to care, do I?) I'll tell you the little things that I've learnt from this whole thing. So stay tuned! (and remember to take good care of yourself!)
17 April, 2006
15 April, 2006
a cute appendics III
The ward eta was around evening time. I asked the nice attendant who wheeled me towards my bed, "Where is this ward?" She said, "Ward 43, bed 4. Hey, arent you lucky you get the corner bed!" I smiled. Yay, my own private corner.
After messaging my whereabouts and latest updates to my bro and aunt, I started looking around. Direct opposite of me, there is one young Malay lady. Beside my bed, was another Malay lady but what struck me most was her amputated arm. Direct opposite of her, was a Chinese lady who looked very much in discomfort. Next to her, was a Filipino lady who was asleep. And direct opposite of her, was another older Malay lady who smiled at me.
Next, the nurse gave me a change of clothes and I am to be put as "NIL by mouth". Meaning no food nor drink whatsoever, in case I have to go surgery, which incidentally, no one knows when. Boy, I was real thirsty by then.
So I was off to sleep, as I got nothing better to do. When I was happily in dreamland, the doctors came. Oooh, what a nice looking couple. The guy was handsome and the girl was pretty. But both looked very much aloof. So the guy doctor asked me to pull down my pants, and started pressing on the affected area. I have learnt that for appendix, they will always do the "rebound test". He pressed on the appendics area and asked, "Tell me when you feel pain." So I told him. Then he will quickly let go of his hand and asked again, "Do you feel pain when I release?" I shook my head and said, "Nope." I did not realise then, but my answer seem to sidetrack them a bit from giving a definite diagnosis that this is indeed appendics. (Because you are supposed to feel more pain when they release their hold on the affected area quickly). So they looked slightly puzzled, and the guy asked me to go into the foetal position so he can do the anal probe again. ( I hope this is the last time they want to do this!) Ouch, it hurt a bit when he does that. More than the doctor over at the fever facility.
So after all the prodding and probing, their advise is to continue observation as I had shown some appendics related symptoms but as my urine sample also showed signs of slight infection, so they cannot say definitely whether it is really appendics or urinary tract infection(UTI), until the blood test result is out, which is not so soon.
So the cute doctors went away, and I was back to staring at the ceiling. It was dinner time by then. The other patients happily gets to eat their meal while I could only watch. My aunt and bro came by and I told them that nothing has been confirmed thus far.
I went to sleep around 9.30pm, was feeling very tired due to the previous nights of vomitting and non-sleeping. I was drowsy when two doctors appeared around midnight and woke me up. I was still very sleepy and they asked, "So how are you?" I replied, "I feel better." That really surprises them. But honestly, I do feel better as I do not have to vomit and the pain is there but it is still bearable. Then they did the same routine, pressed pressed here and there. But this innovative doctor marked the spot where I felt most pain. His words to me, "We still are not sure whether you have appendics problem or UTI. But you have two options. One, go for surgery anyway and two, remain for another day of observation. But we do not want to cut you up unnecessarily." So I opted for another day of observation. So they said they will be giving me antibiotics for the UTI and see whether that clears up. So after that I went back to sleep.
Did not know what time, but someone woke me up again. Boy, they are lucky I am not those type that will scold people if they were awaken so many times when they are sleeping. I looked and saw this cute girl preparing a syringe. I smiled and she said, "I will be giving you antibiotics injection and I will have to do it slowly and it will hurt abit." With that, she started. Nope, no pain.. so you do not have to worry. After that I gave her an "OK" signal and she said I was brave. Haha!
The next morning, I got better acquainted with my ward mates. The nice Malay lady direct opposite of me was in because of some problems with her urinary tract. The amputated arm Malay auntie has an interesting life story that can be written into a drama saga.. but that is another story. The Chinese and Filipino girl both are same like me, appendicitis. I was told that the Filipino girl just had her surgery, at 2am that morning, so now she is like resting.
Around 9am, another doctor came. This time, his name is Dr Raj. Same thing, same routine and he exclaimed, "Ah! Someone marked an X here!" But he has this to say, "Your urine sample (latest one, mind you) has been cleared of UTI. So I would suggest that you go for a procedure known as laprosectomy (I think is spelt like that or smthg) where we cut three holes and put a scope in to see. If it is appendicitis we will take it out. If it is not appendicitis, we will still take it out. So if you still experience pain, then it will definitely NOT be due to appendicitis then." Hmm... well, it makes sense anyway. So I said, okay. So off he went, to kick start the procedure for a surgery. I asked when and he said, probably not so soon. Maybe later in the afternoon or evening, depending on the availability of surgeon and operating theatre. Oh by the way, he will not be operating on me. A Dr Charles Tan will. So with that, I felt relieved that now the truth will be out soon. Is it appendicitis? Is it something else? Soon we will find out....
========= to be continued ============
After messaging my whereabouts and latest updates to my bro and aunt, I started looking around. Direct opposite of me, there is one young Malay lady. Beside my bed, was another Malay lady but what struck me most was her amputated arm. Direct opposite of her, was a Chinese lady who looked very much in discomfort. Next to her, was a Filipino lady who was asleep. And direct opposite of her, was another older Malay lady who smiled at me.
Next, the nurse gave me a change of clothes and I am to be put as "NIL by mouth". Meaning no food nor drink whatsoever, in case I have to go surgery, which incidentally, no one knows when. Boy, I was real thirsty by then.
So I was off to sleep, as I got nothing better to do. When I was happily in dreamland, the doctors came. Oooh, what a nice looking couple. The guy was handsome and the girl was pretty. But both looked very much aloof. So the guy doctor asked me to pull down my pants, and started pressing on the affected area. I have learnt that for appendix, they will always do the "rebound test". He pressed on the appendics area and asked, "Tell me when you feel pain." So I told him. Then he will quickly let go of his hand and asked again, "Do you feel pain when I release?" I shook my head and said, "Nope." I did not realise then, but my answer seem to sidetrack them a bit from giving a definite diagnosis that this is indeed appendics. (Because you are supposed to feel more pain when they release their hold on the affected area quickly). So they looked slightly puzzled, and the guy asked me to go into the foetal position so he can do the anal probe again. ( I hope this is the last time they want to do this!) Ouch, it hurt a bit when he does that. More than the doctor over at the fever facility.
So after all the prodding and probing, their advise is to continue observation as I had shown some appendics related symptoms but as my urine sample also showed signs of slight infection, so they cannot say definitely whether it is really appendics or urinary tract infection(UTI), until the blood test result is out, which is not so soon.
So the cute doctors went away, and I was back to staring at the ceiling. It was dinner time by then. The other patients happily gets to eat their meal while I could only watch. My aunt and bro came by and I told them that nothing has been confirmed thus far.
I went to sleep around 9.30pm, was feeling very tired due to the previous nights of vomitting and non-sleeping. I was drowsy when two doctors appeared around midnight and woke me up. I was still very sleepy and they asked, "So how are you?" I replied, "I feel better." That really surprises them. But honestly, I do feel better as I do not have to vomit and the pain is there but it is still bearable. Then they did the same routine, pressed pressed here and there. But this innovative doctor marked the spot where I felt most pain. His words to me, "We still are not sure whether you have appendics problem or UTI. But you have two options. One, go for surgery anyway and two, remain for another day of observation. But we do not want to cut you up unnecessarily." So I opted for another day of observation. So they said they will be giving me antibiotics for the UTI and see whether that clears up. So after that I went back to sleep.
Did not know what time, but someone woke me up again. Boy, they are lucky I am not those type that will scold people if they were awaken so many times when they are sleeping. I looked and saw this cute girl preparing a syringe. I smiled and she said, "I will be giving you antibiotics injection and I will have to do it slowly and it will hurt abit." With that, she started. Nope, no pain.. so you do not have to worry. After that I gave her an "OK" signal and she said I was brave. Haha!
The next morning, I got better acquainted with my ward mates. The nice Malay lady direct opposite of me was in because of some problems with her urinary tract. The amputated arm Malay auntie has an interesting life story that can be written into a drama saga.. but that is another story. The Chinese and Filipino girl both are same like me, appendicitis. I was told that the Filipino girl just had her surgery, at 2am that morning, so now she is like resting.
Around 9am, another doctor came. This time, his name is Dr Raj. Same thing, same routine and he exclaimed, "Ah! Someone marked an X here!" But he has this to say, "Your urine sample (latest one, mind you) has been cleared of UTI. So I would suggest that you go for a procedure known as laprosectomy (I think is spelt like that or smthg) where we cut three holes and put a scope in to see. If it is appendicitis we will take it out. If it is not appendicitis, we will still take it out. So if you still experience pain, then it will definitely NOT be due to appendicitis then." Hmm... well, it makes sense anyway. So I said, okay. So off he went, to kick start the procedure for a surgery. I asked when and he said, probably not so soon. Maybe later in the afternoon or evening, depending on the availability of surgeon and operating theatre. Oh by the way, he will not be operating on me. A Dr Charles Tan will. So with that, I felt relieved that now the truth will be out soon. Is it appendicitis? Is it something else? Soon we will find out....
========= to be continued ============
05 April, 2006
a cute appendics II
Where were we... yup, got the referral to the A&E in my choice of hospital. But where? This is my first time getting admitted to hospital, you know... no prior experience! So I called my brother but no answer (think he was in a meeting). I also couldn't get my aunt. So what to do, in times of emergency, I called Flo (she's a teacher and by 3pm, she's already off work so there's no reason for not answering the phone!) True enough, Flo took the call and next thing I knew, she came with a taxi to fetch me to the hospital.
By then, I managed to get my aunt and she said can go NUH or Gleneagles. So I've got no preference, so off to NUH I went. Flo is also more familiar with NUH. The cab ride was slightly bumpy and that aggravated a little the pain I already had.
From taxi, hopped onto the wheelchair and I was on my way to getting admitted. I was lucky I didn't have to wait long for the A&E nurse to attend to. Within 20 minutes, I had registered, given my urine sample, temperature taken and talked to the nurse. The nurse ask me what pain level I was at. I was blur, how to compare... against what? No benchmark leh. So I anyhow said 7. After that I was asked to put on a mask and was whisked off to the isolation area(they called it fever facility) to wait for a doctor to come and see me. So I bid Flo byebye and off to the lonely area. I sat at the fever facility for 1 hour or so and I was damn cold... shivering. After what seems like an eternity, the handsome doctor came. Didn't catch his name though. He asked me to lie on the bed and to pull down my pants. Pressed on the abdomen area and of course pain la. Then came the part where Flo had warned me about... the anal probe. After that somemore waiting... until finally, he came back and started me on the drip. Couldn't find a vein on the back of my hand, so he decided not to try there but instead poked onto the big vein (the same one for blood donation) of my left hand. Think the standard procedure is not to poke the dominant hand. It went quite okay as I've donated blood before, so I know what to expect. That done, more waiting for the nurse to come and settle which ward I want to go. I was very thirsty.
I dozed off every now and then and finally, the nurse came and asked me which ward type I want. 8 bed? 6 bed? 4 bed with TV and aircond? I was in a daze, no one to ask for help. So I asked how much the 4 bedded ward gonna cost? The final deciding factor, was the aircond. I thought to myself that if with aircond it's gonna be this cold, then I'd rather take the non-aircond ones. So I chose 6 bedded ward. So the nurse happily went to book the ward while I waited somemore. Fever raging, body shivering.... wait and wait.
Finally, someone came and onto the wheelchair again. To the ward! To the ward!
--------------------------- to be continued -------------------------------
By then, I managed to get my aunt and she said can go NUH or Gleneagles. So I've got no preference, so off to NUH I went. Flo is also more familiar with NUH. The cab ride was slightly bumpy and that aggravated a little the pain I already had.
From taxi, hopped onto the wheelchair and I was on my way to getting admitted. I was lucky I didn't have to wait long for the A&E nurse to attend to. Within 20 minutes, I had registered, given my urine sample, temperature taken and talked to the nurse. The nurse ask me what pain level I was at. I was blur, how to compare... against what? No benchmark leh. So I anyhow said 7. After that I was asked to put on a mask and was whisked off to the isolation area(they called it fever facility) to wait for a doctor to come and see me. So I bid Flo byebye and off to the lonely area. I sat at the fever facility for 1 hour or so and I was damn cold... shivering. After what seems like an eternity, the handsome doctor came. Didn't catch his name though. He asked me to lie on the bed and to pull down my pants. Pressed on the abdomen area and of course pain la. Then came the part where Flo had warned me about... the anal probe. After that somemore waiting... until finally, he came back and started me on the drip. Couldn't find a vein on the back of my hand, so he decided not to try there but instead poked onto the big vein (the same one for blood donation) of my left hand. Think the standard procedure is not to poke the dominant hand. It went quite okay as I've donated blood before, so I know what to expect. That done, more waiting for the nurse to come and settle which ward I want to go. I was very thirsty.
I dozed off every now and then and finally, the nurse came and asked me which ward type I want. 8 bed? 6 bed? 4 bed with TV and aircond? I was in a daze, no one to ask for help. So I asked how much the 4 bedded ward gonna cost? The final deciding factor, was the aircond. I thought to myself that if with aircond it's gonna be this cold, then I'd rather take the non-aircond ones. So I chose 6 bedded ward. So the nurse happily went to book the ward while I waited somemore. Fever raging, body shivering.... wait and wait.
Finally, someone came and onto the wheelchair again. To the ward! To the ward!
--------------------------- to be continued -------------------------------
03 April, 2006
a cute appendics
I've been missing from action lately. Why? Because my cute appendics decided to act up one day. Oooh... I wanna share this experience with you, so that next time, in case (but touch wood la) it happens to you (choi choi choi!). Well, it could happen to anyone as long as you still got ya appendics inside your body!
It all started innocently enough. On 16th morning, I thought I had a tummy ache as I kept going to the toilet. But I thought to myself that this doesn't seem to be like the normal diarrhea that I'm quite prone to. So I went to work with this funny feeling. By 10.30am, I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. The stomach was feeling quite bloated. So by 1pm, I took half day off to rest at home. On my way back, I still managed to take-away a bowl of fish soup.
After lunch, I was still feeling unwell so I decided to take a nap. By 6pm, my stomach has this dull pain at the center. So I went to see a doctor around 6.30pm. He diagnosed it as stomach flu. So I went home, took the prescribed medication. Didn't eat dinner as the feeling of bloatedness continued. Around 10pm, I started to vomit and by 2 am, I had emptied the entire content of my stomach. I didn't 'lao sai' though, so I began to suspect that it was not stomach flu.
By the next morning, I was beginning to feel pain on the lower right side of the abdomen. But decided to take a cup of Milo and sleep it through. Continued to vomit slightly after taking the drink, so I was getting worried. As the clinic was closed after 12pm, I waited until 2pm before I went to consult the doctor again. Managed to walk to the clinic (which was about 10 minutes from my home) but I was early. So I decided to try my luck and take papaya-apple juice. Of course I was worried that I couldn't hold it down, so I managed to drink half a cup.
After explaining the situation to the doc and he pressed pressed here and there. His face changed and he made the 'tsk tsk' sound. He said, "I'll write you a letter so you can go the A&E. As you came yesterday, we won't charge you for today's consultation." I was like, "Is it appendics?" and he nodded. I took the letter and walked home after that. Didn't know whether I was to go now or later. Looking back now, I think it is the thought of not knowing what is happening to yourself that is more scary. It was not so much of the physical pain, but the mental anguish of not knowing exactly what is going on. So once I know I was having appendics problem, I felt relieved.
Wah... wrote so much... so will continue with the adventure next time. Till then, take care!
It all started innocently enough. On 16th morning, I thought I had a tummy ache as I kept going to the toilet. But I thought to myself that this doesn't seem to be like the normal diarrhea that I'm quite prone to. So I went to work with this funny feeling. By 10.30am, I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. The stomach was feeling quite bloated. So by 1pm, I took half day off to rest at home. On my way back, I still managed to take-away a bowl of fish soup.
After lunch, I was still feeling unwell so I decided to take a nap. By 6pm, my stomach has this dull pain at the center. So I went to see a doctor around 6.30pm. He diagnosed it as stomach flu. So I went home, took the prescribed medication. Didn't eat dinner as the feeling of bloatedness continued. Around 10pm, I started to vomit and by 2 am, I had emptied the entire content of my stomach. I didn't 'lao sai' though, so I began to suspect that it was not stomach flu.
By the next morning, I was beginning to feel pain on the lower right side of the abdomen. But decided to take a cup of Milo and sleep it through. Continued to vomit slightly after taking the drink, so I was getting worried. As the clinic was closed after 12pm, I waited until 2pm before I went to consult the doctor again. Managed to walk to the clinic (which was about 10 minutes from my home) but I was early. So I decided to try my luck and take papaya-apple juice. Of course I was worried that I couldn't hold it down, so I managed to drink half a cup.
After explaining the situation to the doc and he pressed pressed here and there. His face changed and he made the 'tsk tsk' sound. He said, "I'll write you a letter so you can go the A&E. As you came yesterday, we won't charge you for today's consultation." I was like, "Is it appendics?" and he nodded. I took the letter and walked home after that. Didn't know whether I was to go now or later. Looking back now, I think it is the thought of not knowing what is happening to yourself that is more scary. It was not so much of the physical pain, but the mental anguish of not knowing exactly what is going on. So once I know I was having appendics problem, I felt relieved.
Wah... wrote so much... so will continue with the adventure next time. Till then, take care!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
