Ward 29 Bed 7.
After hours of endless(or so it seems) waiting, diagnosis and actual treatment, i was wheeled off to my ward. Definately a whole lot of waiting in the process. Wait for doctors, nurses and officers whom i was tickled by due to the fact they were all colour coded acording to seniority. The brighter shade/hue you don, the more bossy/senior you were.
The doctor was pretty insistent i stayed as he was quite alarmed two rounds of the Nebuliser did nothing to the wheezing in my chest. It got weird when the doctor repeated himself a dozen more time on why i should be warded. Reminded me of Tony Shaloub in Adrian Monk, Monk. After alot of waiting, it was really frustrating, especially when you have fever and forced to wear an uncomfortable mask sitting in the "Patients with Fever Section"(glass panels all four sides. a feeling of Lizard Enclosure), i was finally wheeled slowly (and steadily) to my ward through a series of restricted pathways and lifts. There was a whole lot of awkwardness. Maybe because i knew i was capable of walking and also because my dad was with me. See medisave for the first three children is under him and the other three my mom. He had to be present for the fees and all.
A surge of excitement came invited, as my strange hopes of reliving moments in the hospital was granted. I was quite impatient to hop on to my bed and get a version of Florence nightingale tending to my illness. A bit dramatic but funny enough, i was greeted by a (Tagalog speaking) nurse by the name of Flores. It could just be her family name for all i know. I was given blue 'M' size pyjamas to change a cup of diluted milo with half a slice of tuna sandwich. Not knowing what to do after a brief exploration of the ward, I laid down, mya pillow snuggly resting over my eyes.
Soon after, i was woken up by a gentle pat on my arm. The nurses were wheeling a device from one bed to another. Apparently it measures the patients' blood pressure and oxygen level. There was also the ear thermometer in the basket of wires. At this stage i didnt know what to expect. Many queries were waiting to be answered. Surely, answered in the matter of time.
There was nothing much to suppress my frivolous self except to stare blankly into the uninspiring oscillating fan. oh, and the ceiling that has a pseudo tile pattern. Maybe hospitals should redecorate ceilings, hopefully barring the puky green colour, as half the time patients lie down and are forced to view a monotonous perspective. I was longing for a book to read now that i had all the time in my hands. So how or another, i managed to sleep...
too
...only to be awaken again at 2am. A male nurse came by with a medical version of a tool box. He was unusually friendly, at such an ungodly hour, a nice change to the cold faces of the other nurses. Wrapped my arm with a twisted glove and swab a section with alcohol. My veins were eagerly protruding but my courage far from sight. Pride at stake i acted calm and cool as the nurse intrusively inserted a needle to my vein after proclaiming that it was going to be easy (the fact my veins were resembling speed humps) and i could "Relek one corner". I avoided looking at the point of penetration, but couldnt resist when i thought "Whats taking so long". It was interesting to see that my blood was more of purple then red. Then it all made sense - Veins carry deoxygenated blood, heamoglobin less red blah blah blah. The conversation continued for a while and ended with "...play football in the rain" (was informed that thats why most of the patients get asthma attack). With warmness still lingering from that conversation, i dozed off again. and again, my 'Z's shortlved.
This time it was the doctor. It was quite embarassing when she let out a slight snigger which was also when i realised i was ogling at her. Didnt think i would stare at her that obviously. Well i've always said, i usually fall for older women. hoho. Anyway she had a wedding band (thats usually the case aint it, older and/or taken.) The assessment went alright. I was to continue with the nebuliser at 4hr intervals. I didnt bother shutting my eyes this time as soon after the doctor drew back the curtains (that happened to be puky green), the nurse came with a syringe of clear liquid. Neb time!.
I was abit concerned for the other patients as the oxygen misting the ventolin and saline liquid makes a disturbing hissing sound. I sat up straight, eyes watering from the multiple yawns, conciously breathing in and out. The rumbling and wheezing in my lungs were unsatiable, an indication that my lungs where full of phelgm waiting to be expelled.
I woke up before dawn (ard 6-ish). The lights were on and there seemed to be movement in the ward again. They were wheeling the same device again which made me figure out that my blood pressure, body temperature and oxygen level (in blood) was being monitored at intervals too. Soon after, i got my ass of the bed - with much relief, went to the toilet and took my abolutions. Did my Subuh sitting down just like zohor,ashar,magrib and ishak the day before. My lightheadedness did not permit me to stand still thus a chair was called for. This was another advantage to being hospitalised. All my waktu(s) were being looked after, contrary to everyday life -heh.
After a series of naps and nebs, i was left anticipating the digital digits of my phone to display '12:00pm' as it meant the start of the first visiting time which also meant i might finally have company from either my friends or by a book i requested my mom to bring for me. It was the former that arrived. Angel and Asmah came by with Seafood fried rice and Mee rebus (due to my fickle mindedness) from bedok hawker centre. I placed the food aside as i had just finshed an oily serving of Noodle Delight, hospital lunch. Should've capture Angel's reaction when she found out i was lying about being knocked down by a lorry. hoho. Managed to chat here and there before Ili and Dee came by too. Suddenly i became unneccessarily concious of the pyjamas i was wearing in the afternoon. Angel and Asmah left before it became anymore awkward and also since Angel had a tutorial at 4. Ili and Dee brought chocolate that they themselves were eager to eat. My abdomen that was sore, from all the coughing, was not spared as Ili lashed out her nonsense, as usual. I had fun all the way down to the lobby. Ili had to leave for work and Dee had practice.
Dinner came early at 6. Asam Pedas w/ fish, stir-fried cabage and longbeans, rice and Longan snow fungus soup. Not long after, Cik Tipah + Uncle Bakar and Cik Norli + Ilhan dropped for a visit. It was nice to see that little bugger. After they left, Kakak ya and Sahar paid a visit. Never meet long time also. Discovered i accidently tipped the tasting cup that had my cough syrup, leaving a sticky mess on my bag which was conviniently cushioning it's fall from the bedside locker.
Family came a bit too early, didnt manage to have a proper conversation with my cousins but at least they brought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a book i have been putting off reading. Everyone left. 9pm. Way beyond boundaries of visiting time. The bed beside me - still had a circle of 'concerned' family members, the lobby - closed, the lounge - filled with roaring laughter and obnoxious dialect. I had nowhere to run. Nowhere to read my book. Clenched my jaw, teeth pressing on teeth, fingernails tight in my fist, i went back to my bed. Blasting my mp3 on my earphones could not drown the empty, sympathetic conversations my neighbours were having. Soon after, they left. And it all seemed like another test of patience. Something you'll really need, and train to stretch, when living in Sg.
The book got me hook. Discrimination and stereotyping aside, i think J.K. Rowling is a fabulous writer, who is tremendous at keeping a link between her books and basically a genius. I guess reading her book had rekindled a favourite pastime that vanished soon after pastimes became a luxury, and ignited a wasteful passion for writing long winded entries that are confusing as a whole. heh.
The senior nurse, malay (from the way she correctly pronounced my name), was kind enough to allow me to read the book in the light and drawing the curtains, so as not to disturb the other patients. By the next day, i completed half the book, the only productive thing i did other than to 'get well'.
In the morning, after a few more nebs, the doctor came by. Was quite elated i could be discharged that day itself. I was done with the hospital experience. I had enough of "muslim food"(another discrimination. muslim food vs malay food. Morbid humour - how Ketchup Fish was actually Soy Sauce Fish [Kicap lah!]) Overall it was an experience i needed to go through and i felt beneficial in preparation for NS -uniform, sucky food, early bedtime.
A far cry from my expectations. Then again, expectations are meant to be unrealistically set. I expected a condusive environment to 'get well'.
Places may fail to entertain.
People will never cease to amaze.
Pahlawan Putih
After hours of endless(or so it seems) waiting, diagnosis and actual treatment, i was wheeled off to my ward. Definately a whole lot of waiting in the process. Wait for doctors, nurses and officers whom i was tickled by due to the fact they were all colour coded acording to seniority. The brighter shade/hue you don, the more bossy/senior you were.
The doctor was pretty insistent i stayed as he was quite alarmed two rounds of the Nebuliser did nothing to the wheezing in my chest. It got weird when the doctor repeated himself a dozen more time on why i should be warded. Reminded me of Tony Shaloub in Adrian Monk, Monk. After alot of waiting, it was really frustrating, especially when you have fever and forced to wear an uncomfortable mask sitting in the "Patients with Fever Section"(glass panels all four sides. a feeling of Lizard Enclosure), i was finally wheeled slowly (and steadily) to my ward through a series of restricted pathways and lifts. There was a whole lot of awkwardness. Maybe because i knew i was capable of walking and also because my dad was with me. See medisave for the first three children is under him and the other three my mom. He had to be present for the fees and all.
A surge of excitement came invited, as my strange hopes of reliving moments in the hospital was granted. I was quite impatient to hop on to my bed and get a version of Florence nightingale tending to my illness. A bit dramatic but funny enough, i was greeted by a (Tagalog speaking) nurse by the name of Flores. It could just be her family name for all i know. I was given blue 'M' size pyjamas to change a cup of diluted milo with half a slice of tuna sandwich. Not knowing what to do after a brief exploration of the ward, I laid down, mya pillow snuggly resting over my eyes.
Soon after, i was woken up by a gentle pat on my arm. The nurses were wheeling a device from one bed to another. Apparently it measures the patients' blood pressure and oxygen level. There was also the ear thermometer in the basket of wires. At this stage i didnt know what to expect. Many queries were waiting to be answered. Surely, answered in the matter of time.
There was nothing much to suppress my frivolous self except to stare blankly into the uninspiring oscillating fan. oh, and the ceiling that has a pseudo tile pattern. Maybe hospitals should redecorate ceilings, hopefully barring the puky green colour, as half the time patients lie down and are forced to view a monotonous perspective. I was longing for a book to read now that i had all the time in my hands. So how or another, i managed to sleep...
too
...only to be awaken again at 2am. A male nurse came by with a medical version of a tool box. He was unusually friendly, at such an ungodly hour, a nice change to the cold faces of the other nurses. Wrapped my arm with a twisted glove and swab a section with alcohol. My veins were eagerly protruding but my courage far from sight. Pride at stake i acted calm and cool as the nurse intrusively inserted a needle to my vein after proclaiming that it was going to be easy (the fact my veins were resembling speed humps) and i could "Relek one corner". I avoided looking at the point of penetration, but couldnt resist when i thought "Whats taking so long". It was interesting to see that my blood was more of purple then red. Then it all made sense - Veins carry deoxygenated blood, heamoglobin less red blah blah blah. The conversation continued for a while and ended with "...play football in the rain" (was informed that thats why most of the patients get asthma attack). With warmness still lingering from that conversation, i dozed off again. and again, my 'Z's shortlved.
This time it was the doctor. It was quite embarassing when she let out a slight snigger which was also when i realised i was ogling at her. Didnt think i would stare at her that obviously. Well i've always said, i usually fall for older women. hoho. Anyway she had a wedding band (thats usually the case aint it, older and/or taken.) The assessment went alright. I was to continue with the nebuliser at 4hr intervals. I didnt bother shutting my eyes this time as soon after the doctor drew back the curtains (that happened to be puky green), the nurse came with a syringe of clear liquid. Neb time!.
I was abit concerned for the other patients as the oxygen misting the ventolin and saline liquid makes a disturbing hissing sound. I sat up straight, eyes watering from the multiple yawns, conciously breathing in and out. The rumbling and wheezing in my lungs were unsatiable, an indication that my lungs where full of phelgm waiting to be expelled.
I woke up before dawn (ard 6-ish). The lights were on and there seemed to be movement in the ward again. They were wheeling the same device again which made me figure out that my blood pressure, body temperature and oxygen level (in blood) was being monitored at intervals too. Soon after, i got my ass of the bed - with much relief, went to the toilet and took my abolutions. Did my Subuh sitting down just like zohor,ashar,magrib and ishak the day before. My lightheadedness did not permit me to stand still thus a chair was called for. This was another advantage to being hospitalised. All my waktu(s) were being looked after, contrary to everyday life -heh.
After a series of naps and nebs, i was left anticipating the digital digits of my phone to display '12:00pm' as it meant the start of the first visiting time which also meant i might finally have company from either my friends or by a book i requested my mom to bring for me. It was the former that arrived. Angel and Asmah came by with Seafood fried rice and Mee rebus (due to my fickle mindedness) from bedok hawker centre. I placed the food aside as i had just finshed an oily serving of Noodle Delight, hospital lunch. Should've capture Angel's reaction when she found out i was lying about being knocked down by a lorry. hoho. Managed to chat here and there before Ili and Dee came by too. Suddenly i became unneccessarily concious of the pyjamas i was wearing in the afternoon. Angel and Asmah left before it became anymore awkward and also since Angel had a tutorial at 4. Ili and Dee brought chocolate that they themselves were eager to eat. My abdomen that was sore, from all the coughing, was not spared as Ili lashed out her nonsense, as usual. I had fun all the way down to the lobby. Ili had to leave for work and Dee had practice.
Dinner came early at 6. Asam Pedas w/ fish, stir-fried cabage and longbeans, rice and Longan snow fungus soup. Not long after, Cik Tipah + Uncle Bakar and Cik Norli + Ilhan dropped for a visit. It was nice to see that little bugger. After they left, Kakak ya and Sahar paid a visit. Never meet long time also. Discovered i accidently tipped the tasting cup that had my cough syrup, leaving a sticky mess on my bag which was conviniently cushioning it's fall from the bedside locker.
Family came a bit too early, didnt manage to have a proper conversation with my cousins but at least they brought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a book i have been putting off reading. Everyone left. 9pm. Way beyond boundaries of visiting time. The bed beside me - still had a circle of 'concerned' family members, the lobby - closed, the lounge - filled with roaring laughter and obnoxious dialect. I had nowhere to run. Nowhere to read my book. Clenched my jaw, teeth pressing on teeth, fingernails tight in my fist, i went back to my bed. Blasting my mp3 on my earphones could not drown the empty, sympathetic conversations my neighbours were having. Soon after, they left. And it all seemed like another test of patience. Something you'll really need, and train to stretch, when living in Sg.
The book got me hook. Discrimination and stereotyping aside, i think J.K. Rowling is a fabulous writer, who is tremendous at keeping a link between her books and basically a genius. I guess reading her book had rekindled a favourite pastime that vanished soon after pastimes became a luxury, and ignited a wasteful passion for writing long winded entries that are confusing as a whole. heh.
The senior nurse, malay (from the way she correctly pronounced my name), was kind enough to allow me to read the book in the light and drawing the curtains, so as not to disturb the other patients. By the next day, i completed half the book, the only productive thing i did other than to 'get well'.
In the morning, after a few more nebs, the doctor came by. Was quite elated i could be discharged that day itself. I was done with the hospital experience. I had enough of "muslim food"(another discrimination. muslim food vs malay food. Morbid humour - how Ketchup Fish was actually Soy Sauce Fish [Kicap lah!]) Overall it was an experience i needed to go through and i felt beneficial in preparation for NS -uniform, sucky food, early bedtime.
A far cry from my expectations. Then again, expectations are meant to be unrealistically set. I expected a condusive environment to 'get well'.
Places may fail to entertain.
People will never cease to amaze.
Pahlawan Putih
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