December 17, 2010

I was all set for the surgery. I woke up earlier to bathe with the prospect that I may not be able to bathe for the next 12 hours or so. Made sure my hair is in order. Ride to hospital was smooth but I was in no mood to talk. I felt strange the moment I got out of the taxi. Because I actually felt cold when the wind blew. if you know me, you will know 15 degrees is my optimum temperature. Still I thought, maybe its the cold December wind and maybe I am nervous. My nose was a bit blocked but I think it should clear soon. I have no phlegm and I have no cough. I should be able to go through the surgery as I appear to be recovering from the flu.

My dad was pretty impressed with the system, I had an admission booklet which I brought along and it has a barcode sticker with my particulars. I scanned it and was given a queue number. I was briefed through one more time on my insurance coverage and my chosen ward class and then told to hand my confidential temporary medical file to another counter where I will be checked by a medical officer before I even proceed.

Halfway, I started observing people. I noticed only 1 person is allowed to accompany the patient and rest of the relatives or friends waiting are rendered useless.

I was called in for the routine medical examination shortly after that. The nurse took my temperature and I had the shock of my life. 37.9 degrees. They took it another time, its still the same. WTF. I am running a fever. Prospects doesn’t look good. I was sent out to wait while they speak with my anesthesiologist.

Mum wasn’t too happy. Think she wanted to get it over and done with. She kept thinking that its just fever, what’s the big deal. That’s the common Singaporean misconception that unless you are on heart and lung support, the occasional sniffle is not a big deal. I think for a moment she thought I wanted to back out, that’s why I am not keen on the surgery. I had to tell her that its not just the fever, but fever means my body is fighting an infection, and god knows what infection is that. I am still nursing a cold, the antihistamines taken over the past few days have masked the blocked nose very well till I stopped it last night. Nose is still stuffy and blocked. I have some mucus stuck in the throat so its pretty scary.

My anesthesiologist called me in again and checked my temperature again. 37.4, decreased but its still a fever. Then he checked my throat, appears a bit sore, checked the nose, he is worried about the blocked nose. So, he decided to consult his senior anesthesiologist.

More waiting, I was starting to plant into mum the idea that the surgery might be delayed. I asked mum if we should go ahead with the surgery. She was getting agitated. She said “let the doctors decide because you won’t know.” Hokay…but I roughly already knew at the bottom of my heart.

Then, another SGH staff and her assistant came by. It was my tissue donation. She explained that one part of my tissue will be tested and the remaining of the tissue will be thrown away. From the list, I realized I have been identified for research. Cos its thyroid cancer, probably damn rare, so they want to do research. I wanted to tell her immediately, just take it lar, do as many things as you want with the tissue. Hopefully you can discover a miracle cure. I said yes before she finish explaining to me.I told the staff that I had read about tissue donation on the internet. Many countries do it, the hospitals especially research ones need it for research. There have been cases of people donating their entire thyroid for research as well. I wanted to give mine away but I was wondering how to go about doing it. There you have it, the opportunity presented itself. Signed the form and signed away my tissue. They were so delighted. I must have made their day. Come on, I knew how painful it is to get someone to participate in research, you need my damaged thyroid, take it manz.

Third round, senior anesthesiologist came. Went through my history and went through the situation and then did the checks on the block nose and throat and stuff. He wasn’t comfortable in letting me through. He explained with mum listening, that it would put my recovery at risk because I obviously have an infection and since mine is a throat area operation, it said its not pleasant if I am to develop a cough or pneumonia. Plus the immune system will be even weaker after the surgery so I am more prone to further infections. He is not for it. But he said he would discuss with my consultant.

I was given a new appointment on 3 January 2011 to see the specialist again. Its another wait. But what can I do? I can only blame me and my body for giving up on me at the most crucial moment. But still, I needed to get the flu and fever treated. To lighten the mood, I told mum at least I can celebrate xmas now and new year and we decided we will go order roast turkey.

Mum then brought me to Raffles medical (she said she doesn’t trust neighbourhood doctors) to see a GP. Halfway while waiting for our turn, I received a call from a doctor from ENT. She told me my surgery had been re-scheduled for Wednesday, next week. They advise me to get a stronger dose of antibiotics to fight the infection and be well next Wednesday.

The new date now:

22 December 2010, Wednesday. I might just be discharged on Xmas..how apt..like its my present to go home ….

In the meantime, I am using Dettol to clean all the surfaces in my entire home and I am doing nothing but nurse this cold with a stronger dosage of antibiotics.

I want to be thyroidless by Xmas.