Its Day 3 post-surgery.
-- I have survived surgery! :D U can't believe how relieved I am now that it's over. Mum told me everyone has to go through a few ordeals in their lives, which is something I agree for the first time (lol).
My first experience with surgery and hospitalization was really not within what I expected! :D
On the morning of the surgery, I registered with a fair amount of anxiety at the Same Day Admission Centre in SGH with my supportive parents and cousin. Once it was my turn, I was brought into a room to be examined by a medical student and a nurse, who gave me instructions on how to go about preparing for surgery and what to expect post-surgery. They took my blood pressure and temperature, asked me if I am fine and when I had my last meal and drink, and drew an arrow on my left knee, the knee to be operated on. The doctor saw the uneasiness and anxiety in my eyes and assured me that the surgery is a small one and there is almost no pain after that. Then the nurse tied a name tag around my wrist, took me to the dressing room to have me change into the hospital gown and then to another waiting area.
The nurses I met along the way throughout the whole process were really warmhearted and attentive; they would address me by my name and held me by my arm as I limped along. Once my name was called, one of the nurses wheeled me to outside the operating theatre, with my parents and cousin following closely behind. They were forbidden from going any further with me afterwards and I had to hand over my hair tie, my specs and my shoes to them. My cousin encouraged me a few times before they turned away and I smiled and waved goodbye. From then on, I was on my own, walking from station to station where I had to be asked by different nurses repeatedly for my name and what surgery I was having, which is good by the way as I have heard of terrifying stories which doctors operated on the wrong leg or remove the wrong organ.
I waited with the other patients waiting to be operated on, clenching and unclenching my fists while I wait, and resisting the urge to talk to a young patient sitting beside me. Some other old patients were walking along the forbidden premises of the operating theatres and constantly reminded by the nurses to sit still. Lol.
Finally the anaesthetist came to fetch me to the operating theatre, and gently asked me to lie onto the operating table. The astounding sight of the many nurses, doctors and anaesthetists in the surprisingly big operating theatre had me swallow my saliva a few times. Everyone seemed busy calling one another for help, preparing surgical instruments, getting ready the drip and the anaesthetic machine. It was exactly like a crowded market where noisiness and disorderliness are the way to be.
Once on the operating table, many nurses were talking to me at the same time and confusing me. I didn't know who to respond to first.
Those questions were almost like the following on my right:
"Ms Toh, can I take your blood pressure?"
"Can I take your temperature?"
"When were your last meal and drink?"
"Are u feeling well today?"
"Any loose teeth or dentures?"
"Any drug allergies?"
"What surgery are u having today?"
......
Then on my left were the anaesthetists. And they were like
"Hi, I am ... (forgot her name). I am a senior anaesthetist. I am going to insert a needle into the back of your hand to allow the drip to keep u hydrated. I would put you under a mask and you will be unconscious after that. We would then insert a breathing tube down your throat. Nausea, vomiting and sore throat will be normal post-surgery."
"Now clench your fist for me."
I clench it hard while the junior anaesthetist tried to insert the needle while the nurses continued to flood me with lots of questions. My mind was in a whirl. While I was answering those questions, my fist lost its grip and the anaesthetist shouted, "Clench your fist, clench your fist!"
The whole time I was looking left at the nurses, then turned right to the anaesthetists and then left at the nurses. They certainly looked more stressed than I was, making me breathe more heavily.
And the following were the last words I remembered from the anaesthetist:
"It may look very messy now but I assure you during the operation everything will be in proper."
"Okie, Dr Paul Chang is here."
"Now this is an oxygen mask. Come breathe into it. Take deep breaths."
"One more breath one more breath into the mask."
And the next thing I knew was that the operation was over.
The Filipino nurse called out to me until I regained consciousness, "HJ wake up wake up the operation over. Operation went smooth." I woke up, blinked my eyes a few times and in my head I was thinking, "So fast? I didn't even know it happened!"
They were then ready to push me into my ward. The feeling was among the worst that I had when my bed was moving as giddiness and numbness in the knee set in. I didn't dare to look at my knee as I didn't want to know how many cuts I had or how deep they were. The doctor came in and asked me to move my ankle and wriggle my toes, and was rather pleased when I did. The nurses then called my dad and told him I was ready to be visited.
That day was hell. I felt nauseous, vomited numerous times and couldn't keep anything down. Everything I vomited was as fresh as the ones before I ate or drank. The milo I vomited smelled actually like milo. The porridge I vomited looked and smelled actually like a porridge. The nurses coerced me to drink lots of water so that I could pee (since one of the side effects of General Anaesthesia is water retention.) But I vomited all the water I drank. Couldn't rest well too since the nurses kept monitoring my blood pressure and temperature every half an hour. And my dad fell asleep in the chair beside me, snoring loudly. :D
My ward is a A1 ward, one of the benefits of working in a hospital. Single-bedded with great services from the nurses. My cousin and Jun Wen were so excited about seeing the hotel-like ward. They played with my crutches the next day lol.
To be continued.
---- Legoland Part II
After 2 roller coaster rides, we were ready to embark on our 3rd one.
Saw a butcher on our way.
Wan's head was ready to be chopped.
Our 3rd ride!
We were seated in a train that goes up and down while moving in circles. Miao and Wan forgo this ride since they would get dizzy after constantly going round and round. I had the desperation to back out once they did but went ahead anyway.
So Miao became our photographer and captured our moments of thrill.
Calvin wore a Calvin Klein tee which says his name on the front, and it's so cool lo!
Joe and Jun Wen looking blur. Lol. The power of candid.
We so much wanted to try this horse ride, went to the entrance with much anticipation only to find out that the ride is only made for children of ages 5-12. Ying urged us to queue for it anyway since she thought that the staff in-charge wouldn't ask for our age, and this got me and Jun Wen laughing for the next half an hour. I admit that we look young but not exaggeratedly young.
Cute lego rabbits :D
A photo before we caught up with the rest for the next ride.
A pretty weird ride whereby the participants tried their ultimate best to pull themselves up using the ropes. Ling and Calvin went first and Ling exclaimed "shit" once she realised that she was facing us knowing that she would be embarrassed with us watching her climb. Lol.
She also commented that the ropes were so smelly!
Jun Wen and I. He climbed into the seat beside me although I tried hard to escape from his clutches since he threatened to push my seat down when we start pulling those ropes. :D
Our confident Joe set for the ride.
Beside Joe were Miao and Wan.
Ying all smiles midway through the challenge.
It started drizzling and so we took refuge under the feminine giraffe.
Had our lunch here while waiting for the dark clouds to clear.
Dino World. This reminds me of a friend of the purple Barney dinosaur!
At first recognition, we thought it was an elephant, an animal most favoured by Ying, and part of it is yellow her favourite color too.
There were only a few pizza choices for lunch so we simply ordered any two classics.
Mushroom soups as soup of the day.
A heavy downpour didn't manage to dampen our moods. Calvin helped us buy umbrellas and raincoats so that we could continue in our venture for more rides. This is cute Ying in her YELLOW raincoat, and we laughed as she put it on. :D
Many Lego statues as we proceed towards the sky tower. I dont mind having a job as a Lego builder if there is ever such a job in SG.
The sky tower which would take u to a breath-taking view of the entire Legoland.
While in queue. Joe commented that I can tag so many people on Facebook in a single photo. #Look-at-the-crowd-behind-us
Indulging in the together time while we soared up high
One view taken from up high. Rain droplets formed on the screen made the view blurry :(
Jun Wen was left out as everyone else were taking pictures of the view except him so he crossed his arms and pretended to look crossed and jealous.
Then the Mr Attention Lover quickly pretended to hold a camera once my camera aimed at him. LOL.
Look at the I-am-so-glad-that-I-can-take-many-nice-snapshots expression on Joe's face! :D
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