HOSPITALIZED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE

[WARNING: Some of the contents of the writing might not be suitable for those weak-hearted people. Children should get guidance from their parents when reading this posting]

THURSDAY, 22nd JULY 2010

I was officially hospitalized for the first time in my life. As I arrived at the Eurology Ward of the East 5 section of Sultanah Aminah Hospital, blood and urine samples were taken and then I went to get another x-ray taken. I was not sick on that day so not much was done except interviews with the doctors and nurses and blood pressures taken in the morning, afternoon and in the evening. They even woke you at 5:00 in the morning to take the blood pressure regularly but I was told by the nurse, by right that should be done at 4:00 a.m. but as everyone would still be in deep slumber, they still had the mercy of not disturbing the patients.

My first visitors already came on the first day - my sisters and brother-in-law, my nieces and nephew, accompanied by their husband, wife and children. What they could see was someone healthy lying happily on the hospital bed - it was some sort of an unplanned holiday.

The doctor still suggested the surgery to be done and I had to agree with him for my own good. I thought of going home first and coming back to the ward the next morning but that idea was definitely a big "NO". So I just mingled around with other patients, got to know each other better, visited all the occupied beds and the theme of the conversation would revolved around the same thing: stones.

my first meals at the hospital

Everybody having the same problem was put together in this section of the hospital, unlike other wards where patients were put according to the different classes - the first class will be the most expensive ward to stay in. The situation was lively and as many of the people staying here were the elderly, they tend to speak loudly which I found amusing because you would never feel alone. The place was not scary at all as many people think that hospital should be haunted for many people die there. For someone who is not fussy about the food, the meals served were fine except they lack variety and quantity for some. I slept quite as early as 11:00 p.m. because there was nothing else I could do.



FRIDAY, 23rd JULY 2010

The ward started to come alive very early in the morning. At 6:00 a.m. people woke up and used the bathroom. Then the morning shift nurses came in and we got our new supply of oversized green hospital uniforms and dirty bedsheets and blankets changed. After that, breakfast started to come in. The same routine was repeated - there were more interviews with the doctors as they made their regular rounds in the ward and more blood pressures were taken.

This morning I started to get my antibiotics injection through the tube pierced on the back of my palm. The first time was okay but it was somewhat painful after that, and I was given three times of injection in one day.



Today, some patients were already allowed to go back home so there were quite a number of empty beds. After my sister had gone home, when I felt bored, I would walk down to the hospital foyer to watch the people there or just to see the items on sale at the kiosks. I read a bit, snapped some photographs and watched some television programmes before drifted off for the D-day. And I was supposed to fast starting from 12:00 a.m.

tea served on the second day

SATURDAY, 24th JULY 2010

Today was the day but I was mentally prepared, it was now or never. I would rather go through the short pain than suffer in a longer period of time later. Furthermore, you have to wait for a long queue to get this done in a government hospital unless you are wealthy enough to do it at a private hospital.

No breakfast for me this time but I started to receive saline water (if I am not mistaken) in drips so moving around was a bit uncomfortable. I slept a bit and at 9:15 a.m. I was called for the surgery. I had to change into a white gown which according to the nurse was too short (read: SEXY) or I was too tall. I was given half a blue pill that should make me drowsy and was pushed on a trolley to the operation theatre. (SCARY!)

Out of the blue, I met someone whom I knew, my ex-student who would also be the doctor who was going to anaesthetize me. Of all the place in this whole wide world, why must I see someone I knew at this place? And luckily he is a male doctor so I guess it was alright as I would be half-naked throughout the procedure but even if the doctor was a female, did I have any choice. After a short interview and a short chat with my ex-student, anaesthetic was jabbed into my back and then it happened. There was just no pain, there was no feeling at all. I was conscious and I could hear the music playing from the speakers overhead but was not sure what songs were on air, or at times there were the faint voices of the surgeons or the soft sounds produced by the machine. This was a minor surgery, so there was no cut at all and if you wonder how it was done then, go figure. And then, everything was over and I was pushed back to my ward. Thank God for that.

I was back on my bed by 11:30 a.m. and then a few visitors started arriving and going. When the anaesthetic started to lose its power, the pain could be felt so a painkiller jab was given. I had to stay in bed as my feet were still "not functioning" and a tube was attached to my urinary tract with a bag (filled with urine and blood) at the end of it. I just experienced a short effect of anaesthetic when I vomitted a bit then I could already eat and drink normally so the water drip was taken off. As I was confident enough to get back on my feet again at about 6:oo p.m. the nurse pulled the tube out (OUCH!) and I practised walking slowly.

Then only the worst nightmare began. When I urinated, it was blood that oozed out and it was VERY painful. I was told to drink more water but that would mean more visits to the bathroom and there would be more excruciating pain. It was bad because there would be blood stains on your pants which was beyond control. But for once, I had got it done and over with and I just could not wait for tomorrow to come.

SUNDAY, 25th JULY 2010

The last lunch

Up to this day, the urinating pain was still there but the doctor said that was normal and I was healthy and could be discharged very soon. Right after lunch, I was given the papers so I could go back home and the doctor said there was no need for me to come back for any check-up anymore but I did ask for an appointment with the hospital's dietitian so as to make sure the formation of stones could be prevented. According to the specialist, the probability of getting stones again is 50% within 5 years. Oh please, let this be the first and the last.

If you look at this picture carefully, the tiny two pieces of stone (compared to the size of a 5 sen coin) were the culprit that had caused the pain and misery in my life. But wait, I have something more interesting to show.

These are the stones extracted from other people's bodies on the same day of my surgery. So, just imagine their pain and suffering, if compared to mine.

All in all, my four days stay at the hospital was an eye opener. People in the ward were kind to each other regardless of the race and religion, and I was welcomed into our own group on the first day I arrived. I really admire the doctors, nurses and the medical staff at the ward because I wonder whether I would be able to perform as well as what they had done throughout my stay.

So I was given a few days medical leave to rest at home. When was the last time I took leave from school? But just pray that I will get well soon.