Hospital drama

Was warded in CGH over the last few days due to high blood sugars that refused to come down (and made me feel really sick) – docs suspected mild DKA, something wrong with my pump, or some infection.

My brief stay in the hospital has literally forced me to lie back and have a good rest (although I am SO ready to hit normal life again – or, at least, Singapore life; being abroad the last 9 months is seriously making me wonder where feels more like home now). Not to mention watch enough TV for the rest of the summer! Never knew there was so much crap on box... although I must admit it can be quite entertaining (I liked the Ambush Makeovers and Just For Laughs segments) :P

Anyway after 2 stays in the hospital, I’ve taken away 2 things:
1) The importance of looking after our health
9 nights amongst the sounds of the hospital at night is enough to scare anyone*. Lights go out at 8pm and then you’re submerged in a world of respirators whirring, alarms, and of course waking up to fingerpricks and BP counts every hour. On this particular stay I’ve stayed in the same room with 2 cranky old ladies… one (suffering from dementia, and slight depression) yelled at me in Hokkien for not telling her that the date was May 29 from the Chinese newspapers (it was Jun 18 and I was reading The Straits Times)!! Both bedridden ladies at one point or another had diarrhoea, tried getting up and soiled the floor… watching the mess and chaos they caused in the ward made me feel sad and scared. Who would want to end up like that? Unable to walk, eat or even visit the loo by yourself.

So the next time I scold you for not eating your greens, bear with me... Of course, there’s no guarantee that a healthy lifestyle can stave off cancer and the like. Me, I like knowing that I’ve done what I can; if you’re one of those who are convinced we’re all gonna die of cancer anyway, that’s too bad… but I just don’t want to see you in the hospital before we’re 60 and have had a good life.

And help me keep off the chocs too!

*Anyone except the brave nurses and doctors; they have INFINITE patience I tell you. Dealing with irate patients is one thing – explaining the need for this medicine and that procedure (repeated times, in various languages and approaches) to their families is another. I should know given the trouble my parents face just understanding my condition.

2) Despite all its misery, the world is still full of love.
Realised the hospital is a very emotional place – that’s why so many scenes are filmed in hospitals (and why we have E.R.). The wards were constantly chock full of visitors and provided me with lots of people-watching fodder... it’s always very touching to see families surrounding their loved ones, providing that support sick ppl need through thin times.

Thanks much to Jem and Andrew for visiting, and helping me kill some boredom... also to everyone who called from near and far, felt your love across the miles <3 <3 <3

For now, I’m healthy and back in action! Thanks be to God.