Nov 19, 2007

Climb every mountain




I thought I have done with mountain climbing. To me, mountain climbing is not only a sport but something very difficult. No, no, I am not into mountain climbing. Never climb one in my life. Maybe one day I will. The so-called mountain climbing I am talking about is surviving a medical illness or surgery.

Early this month, on the 1st November 2007, I was admitted to Changi Hospital at 2am on 1st November due to severe stomach pains. I had a very high fever the night before. There were no symptoms of any ill-health. So I thought it was just fever for a cold. The next thing, I am in the hospital. The doctors had to run several tests on me to find out the cause of the pain. It was so painful that I was perspiring in cold sweat. Leaving me so weak that I couldn't even stand up properly. I felt like fainting.

After a series of blood tests, urine tests and a final CT Scan, they say "Oh Mdm Choong, I think you got acute appendicities". It was only until 8pm on 1st Nov that I was wheeled in for the surgery. Imagine going on without any painkillers from 2am, 1 November till 8pm same day!


by then, this was how I felt like...



I quickly sent a sms to my friend, Sheryl and ask her to inform the folks at my forum. Soon, I started to get more sms from well meaning friends, biz associates who wrote to say " Gina, don't worry, we will pray for you. "



It was during the surgery, the doctors found that my appendix has ALREADY RUPTURED! And pus flows out and started to infect the surrounding area.



After the surgery, I was still experiencing the pains. And the pain wasn't on the appendix but the packets upon packets of drips I had. Then the food I have taken before going to the hospital was stuck in the intestines and unable to pass out. So they inserted a long tube thru my nose, pass my throat and straight into my gut and stomach to extract some 2 litres of smelly poo, secretions.

The pain was unbearable, there were moments I felt like dying..
But when I thought about how my mom at her ripe old age of 70 plus could survive hers, I think I can do better.

So I pushed on..the nurses could not give me anything orally or I will throw up. The only way in, was through the drip and both hands are 3 drips on each side. I look like a Frankenstein's monster strapped to the table for experiments!

My sms were sharp, short..half the time I had to type using one finger..the rest will be swollen.

I come home, now, safe and sound. Showing evidence of the pain I have been thru, the amount of tiny holes on both my hands, arms, blue-black marks from blood tests etc.

Well, another mountain climbed. Another great testimony for God's glory of how He has watched over me in my time of pain and need.