I am always politically correct at work...
It's nicest when I am at home, with loved ones and good friends.
Sometimes, I feel like blowing my top at work, especially in the last 3 months.
However, somehow or another, I always manage to keep my cool...
This has its obvious repercussions with my health protesting.
Or should I say my health is putting a riot?
I'm not losing my goals here.
Just that I am clear that I need a long break.
Fortunately i know this is happening soon lah (finally hor...)
Life is a journey and everyone of us is a tourist.
Just take an unhappy incident as an unhappy encounter.
Take away the baggages and enjoy the rest of the trip.
Take a break, have a kit kat.. Haha.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Two times of unforgettable experience as a Patient
Sometime in late Jun 09, I was down with high fever. That was the time when community outbreak of H1N1 had just begun. . If I am just a general public, I just need to go GP for advice rather than going to A&E directly. However, as a staff, I was required to “report” directly to A&E for an H1N1 test. The nose and throat swaps that test for H1N1 were not exactly uncomfortable. The wait for the result was 6 hours. I spent like nearly 8 hours in A&E, sitting down and trying to wait as patiently as I can for the results. It was difficult to rest with TV in front of me and in a sitting posture. Luckily I brought along a book that kept me occupied a fair bit. When the results were out and I was declared “free of H1N1”, I felt so relieved!! The last thing I want is to affect my loved ones, friends and colleagues whom I have contact.
On last Thursday late morning, I was hit by a sudden throbbing headache during a meeting that affected the visual view of my left eye. The headache lasted longer than usual. I decided to take the PM off to see a doctor. Hence I proceeded to the staff clinic. I was referred to A&E immediately. I asked to be given MC to rest at home but was rejected. So I went to A&E reluctantly. At A&E, I was given a more detailed assessment and the doctor asked “Which ward do you prefer?” I was like “hmm… you mean I need to be admitted??” Hey, this is getting a bit too much. I did not expect to go A&E and I did not expect to be admitted all the more!! Why are all these happening? The doctors were worried that I might be having internal bleeding in the brain that caused the sudden headache and blurred vision. The first 24 hours was critical. My requests for observation from home or at A&E observation bay were rejected. Hence I was admitted reluctantly.
I chose an A class ward for more privacy. I went through a battery of tests… CT Scan, MRI, 4 tubes of blood for blood tests, eye checks and numerous times of neurological testings. I know the doctors meant well and they were following protocols. So I endured. Fortunately, thanks to God’s grace, all the investigation results showed no evidence of bleeding in the brain or problems with the eyes. To establish that there was no minor bleeding, the doctor advised for me to go through LP (lumbar puncture) which is also called a spinal tap. Oh, this is too much for me… I can’t imagine having to go through this. If it is for childbirth, I do not mind having to inject epidural. Hmm… I gathered that the MRI and CT Scan were evident enough that I am ok. So I requested the doctor to allow me to be discharged without going through LP and promised to monitor myself. So now I have to be good and really take good care of myself. Whatever it is, I am thankful to the care and concern by all the doctors and nurses.
Well, so what I have learnt and experienced from these 2 hospitalisation episodes?
One, I am not a robot. I cannot be working non-stop!! However, my job these days are very demanding. Requires almost 24/7 on standby and have to work shifts at times.
Two, health is really not to be taken for granted. I know this all along, but still did not manage to take good care of myself.
Three, I have experienced God’s healing power again. I am thankful to God for his blessings.
It is probably time that I change to a new job that allows me to have some breathing space, and have a one-month break before starting the new job. Coincidently, I got a call which offers a job opportunity on the day of discharge! How amazing? I know my prayers are heard by God. It’s clear that I should change job.
Last but not least, I am thankful to Wil and my mum for the love and concern and taking very good care of me, particularly Wil. My dear sis was overseas, and I was touched that she almost want to “chiong” from KL back to Singapore to see me. Thanks sis. I am also thankful to all my gal friends (BY, HY, YL, XM, XL, JY) and colleagues for their concerns.
I am resting at home now and glad to do so.
On last Thursday late morning, I was hit by a sudden throbbing headache during a meeting that affected the visual view of my left eye. The headache lasted longer than usual. I decided to take the PM off to see a doctor. Hence I proceeded to the staff clinic. I was referred to A&E immediately. I asked to be given MC to rest at home but was rejected. So I went to A&E reluctantly. At A&E, I was given a more detailed assessment and the doctor asked “Which ward do you prefer?” I was like “hmm… you mean I need to be admitted??” Hey, this is getting a bit too much. I did not expect to go A&E and I did not expect to be admitted all the more!! Why are all these happening? The doctors were worried that I might be having internal bleeding in the brain that caused the sudden headache and blurred vision. The first 24 hours was critical. My requests for observation from home or at A&E observation bay were rejected. Hence I was admitted reluctantly.
I chose an A class ward for more privacy. I went through a battery of tests… CT Scan, MRI, 4 tubes of blood for blood tests, eye checks and numerous times of neurological testings. I know the doctors meant well and they were following protocols. So I endured. Fortunately, thanks to God’s grace, all the investigation results showed no evidence of bleeding in the brain or problems with the eyes. To establish that there was no minor bleeding, the doctor advised for me to go through LP (lumbar puncture) which is also called a spinal tap. Oh, this is too much for me… I can’t imagine having to go through this. If it is for childbirth, I do not mind having to inject epidural. Hmm… I gathered that the MRI and CT Scan were evident enough that I am ok. So I requested the doctor to allow me to be discharged without going through LP and promised to monitor myself. So now I have to be good and really take good care of myself. Whatever it is, I am thankful to the care and concern by all the doctors and nurses.
Well, so what I have learnt and experienced from these 2 hospitalisation episodes?
One, I am not a robot. I cannot be working non-stop!! However, my job these days are very demanding. Requires almost 24/7 on standby and have to work shifts at times.
Two, health is really not to be taken for granted. I know this all along, but still did not manage to take good care of myself.
Three, I have experienced God’s healing power again. I am thankful to God for his blessings.
It is probably time that I change to a new job that allows me to have some breathing space, and have a one-month break before starting the new job. Coincidently, I got a call which offers a job opportunity on the day of discharge! How amazing? I know my prayers are heard by God. It’s clear that I should change job.
Last but not least, I am thankful to Wil and my mum for the love and concern and taking very good care of me, particularly Wil. My dear sis was overseas, and I was touched that she almost want to “chiong” from KL back to Singapore to see me. Thanks sis. I am also thankful to all my gal friends (BY, HY, YL, XM, XL, JY) and colleagues for their concerns.
I am resting at home now and glad to do so.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Mask wearing
One of my triage staff developed fever during the course of duty, and I accompanied her to the Emergency Dept. It turned out that she was H1N1 positive. Well, this made me "a close contact of a confirmed case" as per categorised by hospital protocol. As such, I have to mask myself for the next 7 days. Have to take temperature twice a day and monitor if I develop any symptoms for these 7 days too.
I am usually ok with wearing masks when I am on duty, whether it is surgical mask or N95.
Hmm... it's a different experience when I have to wear mask the whole day, from the moment I wake up, on the train, at work... Fresh air becomes so precious all of a sudden. Haha. I try to grab some moments of fresh air when nobody is around me within 1.5m radius ;)
I doubt I will be infected by the triage staff, as I have exercised full precautions.
My family members seem to feel that I have overreacted by wearing mask the whole day, however, the last thing that I want is to spread the bugs to family members and others.
Well, there are people who say that H1N1 is just like any other flu. It may be better to be infected now and develop immunity. Yes, may be true. However, if everyone exercises social responsibility, it can help to control the spread.
Well, I learnt to appreciate fresh air from this episode!
I am usually ok with wearing masks when I am on duty, whether it is surgical mask or N95.
Hmm... it's a different experience when I have to wear mask the whole day, from the moment I wake up, on the train, at work... Fresh air becomes so precious all of a sudden. Haha. I try to grab some moments of fresh air when nobody is around me within 1.5m radius ;)
I doubt I will be infected by the triage staff, as I have exercised full precautions.
My family members seem to feel that I have overreacted by wearing mask the whole day, however, the last thing that I want is to spread the bugs to family members and others.
Well, there are people who say that H1N1 is just like any other flu. It may be better to be infected now and develop immunity. Yes, may be true. However, if everyone exercises social responsibility, it can help to control the spread.
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)