Patient 1035A

I left off last time with a hopeful note that I would talk to you after the operation; and here I am, alive and kicking, well, almost.

We were told to check in Union Hospital at 4 pm on Monday 23 September. Wary that taxis might be difficult to catch at 4 pm and as it was about to rain, we decided to get there early, which we did, just before 2 pm, to find an almost empty reception.  At the reception, a helpful nurse advised us to return at 4 pm to take advantage of the later check-out time, unless we were in a hurry to register, which we weren’t.  Thereupon, Su took us to the famous restaurant Green Cafe on the second floor which she had used before. We spent nearly two hours there before returning back to registration. There were more people waiting then, but checking in was straightforward after paying the prescribed deposit. We were taken up to 10th floor to meet some nursing staff all of whom appeared to be in a Parent-Child mode (PC as in Transactional Analysis or TA). I was questioned by a Nursing Assistant on my sickness histories, allergies to food and medicine, current medication and medical conditions, had my BP and a sample of my blood taken and finally dog-tagged. We were then taken to my room which is a Standard Room for four patients and I am Patient 1035A, by which number I was to be identified in the next few days.

Ward 1035 is a 4 Bedded Room with an area of at least 600 sq. ft. fitted with two shower and toilet units at the far side corners and refrigerators in the middle, each of which is meant to be shared between two patients. The patients’ rooms – each measuring about 90 sq. ft. – are situated on the entrance side, two on each side separated by curtains. Each room is fitted with overhead TV, plenty of wardrobe and storage space with a safe, and a side table with more storage space. Visiting hours are generous, from 7 am to 9 pm, but restricted to two at a time. The noise level of conversations during visits, including those from doctors and nurses, sometimes can be disturbing, and one tends to overhear phone conversations between fellow patients and their families. Otherwise the ward is reasonably hospitable and comfortable

Su was with me all the way during the check in, putting away my stuffs in proper places, before I was taken to a few stations, including X-ray of the legs and joint, and chest or lung, which was followed by an ECG in my room. Meanwhile, I was subject to more questioning, also in a PC mode before being asked to sign a series of consent papers. I was told that that I had signed the consent form for the operation already, but that for GA would be signed much later. I was given stacks of information and reading materials on GA and other issues and was told to refrain from food and drink from mid-night and be prepared to be wheeled into the Operation Theatre (OT) around 9 am, so that for all intent and purpose, Su should turn up by 8:30 am the next day. It was close to 7 pm and we decided to re-visit Green Café for a light supper. Light as it was meant to be, I ordered my favourite Beef in Fried Noodles, which I couldn’t finish; and at dinner, no matter how hard I tried to assume a mode of mindfulness, I couldn’t stop thinking about this could be “the last supper”.  We said goodbye quickly and unceremoniously after dinner. Su took the hospital shuttle before I took the hospital lift upstairs. It was just before 7:30 pm. I went to the toilet and brushed my teeth before taking a thorough deep cleansing from top to bottom, keenly aware that I might not be able to do this on my own for some time. I then checked my phone for messages. There were a few from Su who told me she had already got the green peas for cooling and was discussing with Mei Mei other useful equipment that she could obtain by Tao Bao. Nursing staff came and went to take readings on my life signs, temperature, BP and pulse etc. and were apparently satisfied that I was ready for the next day. My next door neighbour had left and the room was quiet. I texted Su shortly after 9 pm that I was about to sleep. So far so good. End of Day One.

Su presently turned up at 8:30 am the next day. The nurses had come around to take readings and confirm that I hadn’t eat or drink except the BP pills. Su and I had some listless discourses, and around 9:30 am I was asked to get on a mobile bed in my OT garb and wheeled into the OT floor. Su said, “Take care” before we reached the OT entrance and I was pushed into a room. It was cold, but they quickly covered me with an additional blanket. I was parked somewhere for a while, somewhat dazzled, until a young-looking lady in a mask came over to introduce herself as my anesthetist and assured me that she would be with me throughout the operation. Someone then implanted a cannula on my lower left arm for intravenous infusion or drip. A few minutes later, I saw someone in a mask poring over me. He took off his mask and I recognized the face. It was the butcher indeed. I hadn’t seen my doctor for a month. He must have said a few comforting words before telling me that he would be assisted by another doctor and that the lady anesthetist was his classmate. I was then wheeled into a room labeled as OT1. It was 10:20 am. I had a mask on for anesthetics which must had begun to enter the system, for I felt no sensation, heard no music or conversation, and was generally numb.

The operation must have lasted till around 12:30 pm, but according to Su who returned at around 1 pm and waited outside the OT and where she met the surgeon at around 1:30 pm and had a chat, I wasn’t ready to be transported back to the ward until 2:30 pm. Whatever the wake up time was, I recalled that the lights above were bright, that people around were chatting, and that someone told me that they would take two X-ray plates on the repaired leg. In any case, I was eventually taken back to my ward, accompanied by Su – so she told me afterwards – who had come a second time and in amber rain. I could hear conversations around clearly, but I was slurring with my speech. I was told that I would need another two-hour rest and that I won’t be allowed to leave my bed for the day. I would be told when I could eat or drink in due course. Earlier, I had asked my doctor at the OT what I could do if I felt hungry, to which he replied that I won’t because I would be under drip. Seeing that I was unconscious, Su left me a note and went back to Mei Foo a second time for the day.

Su returned to the ward a third time at around 5:30 pm. I was still fast asleep, until around 6 pm when my doctor came around and someone woke me up. He showed me the two X-ray plates and remarked that the operation was very much worth its while, considering that the disc in between was almost completely worn out and that the two long bones were almost grinding one another. He said he was satisfied with the operation and, as he left, remarked that I had strong bones.

Su gave me dinner which comprised chicken soup and dumplings. It was almost 24 hours since I had the last real meal. The staff put me on a device known as Game Ready which was a machine passing icy water to a wrap around the leg for recovery from injuries or surgeries involving the knee, A session typically lasts for 30 minutes and the nurses recommended four sessions a day. In addition, the nurses also placed a leg wrapper round my right leg, which operated like a BP gauge, to improve blood circulation. Meanwhile, the nurses came and went for readings on my life signs and inquired what I was eating and how much.They were apparently satisfied with the readings. Su waited till I finished dinner before leaving me to sleep through the night. End of Day Two.

I would stop here to keep the length of the blog reasonably readable. I would come back with the rest later, and in the meanwhile, I wish all of you a Happy National Day.