Surgery

Today I had my stitches removed and dressings changed.

I should be able remove all of them in a week’s time, according to Dr Tham.

It doesn’t hurt much now, although I’m still getting period-like cramps. Sometimes it feels like someone/something is trying to punch through the base of my tummy.

Last Saturday, I went through a keyhole surgery to remove 2 ovarian cysts.

I had to wake up at 6am to have my breakfast and take Fleet to empty my bowels, and fast from 630am onwards.

Gosh, I went to the toilet at least 6 times.

My sis and dad came over at 10am to help babysit and we reached the hospital by 11am as instructed.

Did all the necessary preparations, and waited for a while before I was wheeled into the operating theatre.

The hubs gave me an encouraging pat on the head and said he’d see me later.

Outside the OT, I was approached by a few nurses, who asked me to check my details and asked me questions about the procedure, over and over again.

I guess they wanted to ensure they had the right patient? 😅

It was good distraction because I was trying my best not to feel scared.

One of the nurses squeezed my shoulder and told me not to worry when she learned that it was my first time undergoing surgery.

She walked me briefly through what would happen in the theatre. She said I might feel uncomfortable with the oxygen tube and might vomit, and advised me not to struggle too much.

Gulp.

When the anaesthetist arrived I was wheeled in the OT and transferred to the operating table.

I was already covered with two blankets but when the bare parts of my back touched the cold metal parts of the operating table, I started shivering uncontrollably, my teeth clattering non-stop.

I didn’t choose the doctor I wanted for the GA since I didn’t know who to pick anyway.

My only request was not to pick the anaesthetist who gave me the epidural for both my deliveries, since the epidural didn’t work properly on both occasions. 😅😂

I’ve always thought that doctors and surgeons are calm and collected people, because they have to be, right?

It was only after witnessing other doctors in action at the hospital that I realised it is not a common trait.

My anaesthetist, for one, isn’t the calmest or most assuring doctor. 😅

He told me the same things the nurse had prepared me for, that I would be given oxygen and I might vomit and get a sore throat.

Vomit?

I’m damn scared of vomit lah, my own and otherwise.

I asked out loud, clearly worried, but he only said, “yes vomit because we are going to put a tube in your mouth. So you might also get a sore throat.”

Then his phone rang and he picked it up, impatiently telling the caller he’s about to do a procedure and cannot rush to the other hospital.

Meanwhile my forearm was strapped tightly so they could find a vein for the drip.

“Aiyo, squeeze her arm harder,” he said to his assistant, the very kind nurse who squeezed my shoulder earlier.

“Aiyo her veins so small! I cannot find it,” he complained.

He eventually found “a good one” at a very awkward position at the side of my left wrist.

Dr Tham breezed in with a bright smile.

“You all good? I’ll see you later ok? Now you just sleep,” he said, very assuring as always.

(And might I add, what a sharp contrast?)

With that the anaesthetist administered the GA and I was asked to take deep breaths into the oxygen mask, though I was still worried about vomitting.

I counted the number of breaths I took and wondered, by which count would I lose consciousness? Is the hubs scared too? Are they going to stuff the tube now to make vomit?

When I opened my eyes again, everything was a blur. I tried to focus on the words in front of me, but I couldn’t.

I felt some pain in my upper and lower abdomen, and I had to close my eyes again.

“Inhale, exhale,” the nurse reminded me.

It took me a while to be able to see clearly.

I was in the nurse management centre where I was put under observation post surgery.

We waited for quite a while because my heart rate was too slow for them to send me back to the ward.

It was mid afternoon by the time I was wheeled into the ward.

I felt uncomfortable, exhausted and hungry, and still unable to focus on anything for too long.

Saw the hubs and drifted in and out of my general fuzziness.

Dr Tham came in to check on me and also explained to us what he did, with photographs and all.

“No Dingtaifeng for a while I guess?” He joked.

He assured us that the procedure went well and said he’s confident about my recovery.

I’m so glad he’s my doctor!

Clarissa came over with my parents and sisters in the evening. 😊😚

So thankful for my family’s help and support, and a very sensible bubs.

I fell asleep shortly after they left.

Woke up in the middle of the night with a upset tummy and had to buzz for the nurses twice.

I was still on drip and my legs were strapped to this compressor thingy for blood circulation.

Everything felt a little foreign and uncomfortable but I was glad it all went well.

My mum came along with the hubs and bubs to pick me up the next day.

On our way out, I saw Stefanie Sun at the side entrance of the hospital, getting into a car.

“孙燕姿leh,” I said casually.

My mum got excited and immediately rushed out of the door to take photos.. while the hubs and I tried to walk away as quickly as possible. 😂😂

She managed to take photos of Sun’s husband driving off.. and the licence plate number of their car.

“Aiyo this Sun Yanzi is so lucky,” my mum lamented as we drove.

“她的歌这么难听，还可以作什么小天后!”

#Guaguagua.

🙊🙊🙊

Then why you rush out to take photos? I thought you are a big fan lor.

😂😂😂

Anyway!

It took a few days for the wounds to stop hurting and for the “menses” to end.

I was surprised to find 3 wounds, one above my belly button and two at the base of my tummy, forming a triangle.

I’d naively thought it would be just one hole. 😂

I couldn’t stand or sit for too long so I tried to lie down in bed whenever I could.

I felt (and still feel) like I was having extended menses cramps.

I’d also naively thought I’d be able to work from home since I was given 3 weeks of sick leave and 3 weeks seem so long?

But, how to work when sitting down makes me feel bloated and nauseous? 😂😂

I’m learning to see this experience as a blessing in disguise.

While I feel bad about going on sick leave barely 4 months after returning to work, I guess it’s a sign that I need to slow down a little and take some time to rest and recuperate.

I’m also glad I get to spend more time with the two girls and have the hubs come home earlier than usual. 😊😆

I hope to recover fully so I can carry them (the bubs, not the hubs lol) soon! 💪💪

For now, I’m loving this multitasking Jiejie daycare service. 😘😘