Probably should not have said the last post will be the last one for “Flu and Fever” heading but this is definitely the last.
Although I went to TTSH on Saturday night, 12th January, the story starts on Saturday, 5th January.
On 5th January, Josie and I wanted to head out to do some shopping and also to keep Nathan occupied but Josie wasn’t feeling too well and when Nathan started his afternoon nap, Josie, feeling a little tired slept as well. I was quite free and decided to head over to church and hand around the worship folks who were having their music practice.
2 of the worship team member had the flu and I was advised to stay away from them. Me been me and sometime been stubborn said that if I’m going to catch the flu I would have regardless because Josie is also having the flu and resting at home and how to avoid it at home.
Nathan and I were quite alright for the remaining of the week as Josie progressively show more and more of the flu symptoms and I continued to be alright until 12th January when I started sensing the beginning of a flu coming. As a precaution, I called the Chemotherapy clinic to ask what I should do if I have the flu and was advised to see a GP and only head to TTSH if I develop fever. Then it hit in the afternoon about 3-4pm with low grade fever (< 38oC). By late evening, the temperature hit 38oC and after dinner, it was 38.5oC and decided there and then to head over to TTSH’s Accident and Emergency.
At TTSH, the fever was around 38oC and I was placed in the “fever” zone (a consequent of the 2003 SARS) and waited to see the doctor. The doctor saw me (that was about 9pm) and I explained to him about my condition, my chemo, etc and took a blood sample for analysis. The result came back will elevated white blood cell count that is normally from 3.6 to 9.3 x109/L. Mine reading was 28, I think?
Anyway, not knowing or conversant with the effect of GCSF for Chemotherapy patient, the doctor thought that I might actually may have bacterial infection in the blood (Sepsis) and took some blood for culture. While, the rest are in my blogs as I got warded and waiting until about 2am before I got a bed. Josie’s sisters are a wonderful bunch, they came to TTSH around 10pm and was with her until she left for home in the wee hours in the morning.
In the ward, the MO came, check on me, the Registrar came and also check on me and just to be on the cautious, took another blood sample from a “clean” site for blood culture and after that, I slept for the night.
In morning (Sunday), before the Consultant on roster came, the on-call housemen (a pretty lady with an Ang-Mo accent) came and talk to me and took notes and I suspect it is part of her duty. Poor lady, she was on call the entire night and now had to wait for the Consultant to come by before she can knock off and the Consultant did not arrive until about 11am as he had other wards to cover as well. Oh, before that, there was another doctor from the department who made a preliminary assessment before the arrival of the Consultant.
Nothing much happened after that, suspect that the fever is due to flu and high white blood count due to the GCSF but in their position, I would also be cautious and wait for review from my Oncologist. In the meanwhile, they loaded me with antibiotics as I definitely had chest infection and also just in case there is sepsis.
Not much to report except until the next afternoon (Monday) when my Oncologist came and reviewed my notes. He told me what the General Medicine team had done is correct for my condition but also mentioned that with GCSF, the white blood count could sometime go as high as 60. Hmmm… I guess good thing it wasn’t that high because I suspect there will be a big ruckus if it was. The timing was also kind of coincidental and providential as my Oncologist just came back from his leave on Monday. My Oncologist kept me on antibiotics as he also had to wait for the blood culture result to be certain that I do not have septicemia.
As I was supposed to have a schedule CT scan done on the 17th but since I am warded, he pushed forward my CT scan till Tuesday so that he can also make an assessment of my conditions.
Monday night and Tuesday morning were bad as far a sleep is concerned because there was an elderly man on my right that wasn’t too “clear” minded and made a lot of ruckus whenever the nurses comes and try to either get him to take his medication or change his diapers and beddings. He was also a little aggressive towards the nurses and thus had to be tied down. On Tuesday morning (4am) there was also another old lady (warded on Monday afternoon) who for some reason refuses to sleep and was from what I overhear, disorientated and not know where she is and her family was not there!! This lady may be old but you cannot tell from her voice and the struggle the nurses had with her. Had only 2 hours of sleep and not a comfortable one because of the phlegm in my throat/chest.
Tuesday… The General Medicine folks came around and saw the notes from my Oncologist and the proceeded according to my Oncologist’s recommendation. I got my CT pushed forwarded to 11:30am that morning and hopefully, by the time the report is out and together with the blood culture results could decide on what to do next.
This is the one part of my stay that I was not very happy with. My CT was supposed to be at 11:30am and as this is an abdominal scan, I had to fast for 3 hours before the scan to make sure my stomach is empty and so my last meal was at 8:30am. I know from past experience, there usually will be some delay in the schedule timing of the scan. By 12pm, no one from Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray) Department came and fetch me for my scan and was told that someone would come within ½ hours. I am concerned because of my diabetic conditions, I cannot fast for too long and need to have some intake of food or else my blood sugar level goes too low that in turn will mean delay in getting the scan done. By 1:15pm, with no sign of people from Diagnostic Imaging, the nurse had to call them to tell them of the seriousness of the situation. Was told to wait another ½ hour but the porter actually came about 15 minutes later. By now, I had fasted for 5½ hours on a small breakfast. At Diagnostic Imaging Department, I was made to wait further as 3-4 (I could not remember) other outpatients got scanned before me. Complained to the nurse that I am diabetic and had fasted for 5+ hours already and was told “oh… we have patient who are diabetic also…” and I retorted that I had fasted for almost 6 hours and what happened if I crash from Hypoglycemia? Anyway, got my scan done after one more patient and on the way back, almost had to wait for another ½ hour before I can be sent back to the ward as there were “insufficient” porters. Made some noise and threaten to go back to the ward on my own and they “hijacked” a porter with an assigned job to send me back to the ward first. Lunch cannot be eaten because it is more the 2 hours old and a “fresh” meal had to be brought up from the kitchen. By the time I sat down for my lunch, it was 3pm.
I thought I had to stay for another night because I do not know if my report will be out in time for review by my Oncologist. It so happened that my Oncologist was at the ward and I spoke to him and he must have expedited something because by about 4:15pm, he got the preliminary CT scan report and told me that the cancer in the liver is gone and the pancreatic tumor is “stable” and he possible might plan for radiotherapy and I could be discharged.
My next appointment with my Oncologist is on Monday, 21st January. By then the finalised CT-scan report would be available and planning for next course of therapy could be done. I only pray that the therapy is not classified under “palliative”.
Got home by around 6pm and I was so tired and sleepy. The rest is as they say “history”.
I may have worked in the healthcare industry and may have some knowledge and understanding of the nurses’ work condition within the hospital but not until I was there for 3 nights did I realize that there are a lot more to what they do like changing the diaper and linen for the man beside me for 11 times within one day and the smell, oh my, the smell, having to restrain an old lady and make sure that patient who need to go to the toilet do not fall down, staying with frail patients as they shower, make sure we get our medication on time, etc, etc. It is an understatement to call them “angels”, they are more than that, they are angels, superman/women, nanny, sister, brother, temporary family member, butler and maid all rolled into one for that moment that a patient is in hospital. I pray that God will bless them richly.
In God we Trust.
