Velvet Notes

Apologies again for not blogging for so long.

I went for a double major surgery (Fibroids and Hernia) on 14 April so I had to clear up my work and stock up groceries for my long recuperation time. Hence nothing until today.

Saturday 12 April 2008

After my heart procedure of Oct 2006, I had decided that the next time I ever get hospitalised again, I WILL bring my own pillows.

Picked up my two pillows from the drycleaners. I called the cleaners at 4.45pm and asked what time did they close. The clerk said “5pm”. That sent me to hyperdrive. I asked if I could rush over RIGHT NOW to pick it up. She said okay after she found out that I stayed just across the road.

I then quickly ran to the cleaners and managed to get my pillows with a couple of minutes to spare. This is a weekend and their business must be very good to knock off at 5pm, I thought. Anyways, the clerk was very nice about it and rushed to get my stuff.

Sunday 13 April 2008

Went grocery shopping and stuffed my fridge with fish and pork. No chicken or seafood for several weeks. Sigh. I couldn’t believe I actually bought a 10kg bag of rice ($14.50). Packed my stuff for my hospital stay. Stuffed one pillow into my big bag and placed the other in a pillow bag. Got my own night clothes, reading material and MP3.

On the morning of 14 April (Monday),

Made sure the house was in order and off I went to check in at SG Hotel (Singapore General Hospital). Had to check in by 2pm but as I had to get breakfast, lunch and some cash first, I was of course late.

Plenty of peeps at the Admission Centre (ate part of my breakfast at the Centre while waiting). I was lugging my bags here and there. Felt like I was going on a holiday. It was 4pm before I finally got to my room (One bedder) in the O&G section. Did the usual checking of weight and height (too heavy and too short) and then off to finish my breakfast. Just about finished my lunch at about 5.15pm when I realised dinner was at 6pm. Oh boy.

There were so many people who came in to see me after I checked in.

The two surgeons and their teams came by to prepare for the next day’s surgery and the attendant nurses.

Prof Chow (hernia) had his assistant mark where my appendix scar was. She went off to get a marker, marked my tummy and put a protective plaster over it. I was laughing so hard!

Can you see the scar? It is very faint.

I finally got to see Dr Devandran (fibroid). I was supposed to see him a week ago during my pre-op checkup. By the time I was ready to see the Dr (2pm), there was a pile up of patients. Shortage of doctors. It would be a while before I could see one.

As I had a previous engagement at 4pm and had not been told that the pre-op checkup would take so long, I had to go off without meeting the good Dr.

Anyways, we shook hands as I said “I finally get the chance to meet you!”. He smiled. He then proceeded to inform me that my blood count was low - 8.1. I asked what was usual. It was “10″. Dang.

I needed a blood transfusion.

Yikes!!!!

A young Dr Clarence (trainee?) came in to put in a plug. He put a tourniquet on my left upper arm and started to try and locate a vein. I flexed my fingers and did whatever to get a dang vein to pop up. Now, I am no wuss when it comes to putting in a plug though I dislike having one. But after he could not locate a vein (what?) after slapping my hands and crook of my arm, I was starting to get worried.

We ended up putting it on my left wrist. I can tell you that if I were a loud swearing sort of person, the entire ward would have heard me. It was one of the most painful plug placement I have ever had. I was told that it was because of its location.

The good young doctor left me to recover from my (first) ordeal and I managed to take a pic of the plug. I was sore.

Damn princess veins.

I was then grilled about my medical condition by an anesthetist. He had to make sure I didn’t choke at the operating theatre. I sure didn’t want that. Answered every question as best I could.

Dr Clarence (I think) came in again and gave me a form to sign. He explained that the hospital had to explain to me the risk of getting a blood transfusion i.e. probability of getting Aids or some other condition.

Managed to finish a bit of dinner and went to bed. Phillip came for a short while and went home.

Slightly after 10pm, a nurse came in with a cute little cooler box with a red cover. I asked what that was and she replied “That’s the blood for your transfusion.”

“Oh boy….”

I felt funny looking at the bag of blood.

She first flushed my plug (I think that was the term). The fluid was cold!:

And then connected the tube to the bag of blood:

And drop by drop, I emptied the bag. Yum.

I had the final glass of water at 11.55pm. The cut off time for eating and drinking was midnight. There was some confusion as to what time my surgery was scheduled for. Either 7.30am or 11.30am the next morning. Never mind, I’ll still get operated on anyways. Can’t remember what time the transfusion ended cos I was too sleepy when the nurse came to remove it.

Went to bed. Fiddled with the bedside light switches and finally decided to leave furthest hallway light on before settling in to sleep. It was my first night in a new place and I certainly did not want to sleep with all the lights off.

Tuesday 15 April

During the night, I heard a baby cry and thought it was cats yelling. LOL! As I couldn’t eat anything before the surgery, I spent the time watching Channel News Asia. Almost drank some water! I took a walk along the ward and saw the nursery with the bassinets lined against the windows. Cute!!

Phillip came by at about 9ish and we started to play the waiting game.

Showered and changed into the hospital gown at about 10.30am. Excitment turned to slight frustration when I was putting on the stockings given to me by the hospital. Promotes blood circulation, I was told. Huffed and puffed into them. Decided that the opening at the bottom was for my sole to breathe instead of my foot’s anterior.

Blue gown, white stockings and a sweater. Fashion week, anyone?

I waited and waited and waited. Watched more telly. Martha Steward is on at 12pm!

Finally, at about 1.30pm, I was told to get ready. I replied I was ready at 10.30am. After another 30 minute wait, I was put on a gurney. This was when I started to get a little scared. Suddenly, one of the attendants stopped the gurney and asked where was my hospital tag. Heehee. Hadn’t got one yet.

Here is a picture of me after they put it on. Notice that it is red as I had indicated a drug allergy (more like a reaction to a strong cold tablet).

The attendants refused to let me bring my camera in for the operating staff to take pictures as they open me up. Sigh. Had to leave the camera behind.

And away we go!

I’ll write the post op happenings tomorrow. I’m going to bed now! It’s 1.30am!