Post Trip Thoughts

It was a good 4 days break with great company of cousins! Ok ok, I admit I thought of work a little but was just minimal. The amount of lame comments and remarks were record breaking. But it is through these brainless moments that we really laughed it all out.

Of the 4 days, 3 days we had to wake up early. Really early. The first day, our flight was at 6am, 4am we had to check-in. The 2nd day was the only day we slept in later, 3rd dat at 4.30am so that we could catch sunrise and 4th day at 5am to catch our flight back.

Food was reasonable there, big servings. Alcohol was superbly cheap. 50 cents USD for a glass of beer, USD1.50 for glass of house pour.

This is the first time most of the cousins went on a trip together, it provided a chance for all of us to know each other better on the trip. Like I didn't know those who usually looked serious have funny bones in them. Like how some behaviours are traits and characters of their own parents, they probably also saw mine in me too. Some are intolerable, mostly we can laugh over with.

I'm truly grateful to all as well for taking care good care of me during the trip. And yes, I can see that we can go for more trips together again next time.

Thank God too for helping me through all the difficult terrains and keeping me safe during the trip.

A Family Trip

After all the talks and discussions, we are finally going on the cousins' trip. 9 of us in all... wow!! That was what some of the people said when I told them. Yes, "WOW". Since many years, we have not been on holidays and in such a big group. After this post, I'll be on my way to the airport. If all goes well, it may end up as a yearly affair for us to go holiday together.

My nice break is finally here. Thank you Lord!

VERY Pissed!

I did an unthinkable thing today. It was a mistake to click 'send' on the email before checking who is my recipient. I called a colleague a 'b***h'. Rather unlike of me to do so but I was just so overwhelmed by what that person did. I'm still adamant that she deserves it, maybe a few days later I may think otherwise. For now, yes, she truly deserves it.

We had a face to face meeting later in the afternoon and I could not bother looking at her. I've never felt so pissed in this job that I would just shoot off this remark out of my mouth. Not even the worst students.

This job is really trying, testing my patience to the limit. I need to see that I have the graces to continue. I can't see now.

Progressing

Last night, I managed to turn my body and legs without causing any hurt to my wounds. YES!! Today, after the bandages were removed, I could slowly start walking without my crutches. Mainly at office room and at home. YES!!!! Still, I won't be pushing myself too hard. Will do my best in recovery.

One thing I'm puzzled about. I felt the static level in body increased tremendously today back at my working desk. It was like anytime a electric shock. I had a static shock in the car today. Gave my knee a sudden jerk and sudden shock with pain. Scary.

Starting physio soon... erm, as soon as I can start driving...

The Feel

Since my op, I have been moving in and out of my house, going to places. And I must say that I have the privileges of being a "handicap" and also a fair share of being stared at for my temporary disability.

A day after my op, it was birthday cum farewell chalet for a few friends. Since weeks ago, emails have been sent out inviting me to attend. Then I already knew that I probably would not be able to but the host left the invitation open. The resort security made a thoughtful move to fetch me on a buggy to the unit so that I do not need to walk too much. It's not a long distance if I was able to walk normally. It was a privileged ride :D

Then yesterday, there were 2 sent offs for the same friends going away. I chose the 2nd one as they are a few hours apart and I was very sure my dad would not agree to let me out that early. It was not a long walk but it took like forever for me to cover that short distance. I was quite touched at the point when I had to go to the toilet, the cleaner aunty saw me inching to the handicap toilet, she immediately came forward to help me open the toilet door. That was a service which I never had experienced at the airport before. Now you probably can guess why we are the No. 1.

And then a friend and I moved on to a dinner meet-up. The restaurant was double storey and they were nice to allow me to go by the short cut at the side door. I was touched by their gesture. And it was also at the mall that I see the typical Singaporean how they behave towards people who are handicapped. As I was walking to the toilet, the corridor leading to it was quite in, I stucked to one side of the walkway giving way to people who also needs to go to restrooms. Ok, I stucked to wrong side. Cos when I was walking in slowly, some people are just insensitive enough to take extra steps to avoid me. They chose to head on with me. Fine. When I was walking towards the restaurant, the cleaner aunty plus her trolley head-on also at me. I actually stopped to see where she wants to go. Then only she stopped. It was a small space that was around me. It was spacious enough for her to avoid me. And then, this teenager who is just so engrossed in whatever he was holding in his hand, almost bumped into me.

The best part. When I entered into the restaurant via the side door, 1 table of diners stared at me. Like they have never seen a person walking on crutches, like why I could enter via that side door.

Well, in all I won't say Singaporeans are insensitive. I had nice neighbours who gave way to me. The nice and thoughtful aunty at the airport and those I've met at the medical centre. I guess I'm just fortunate to have met nicer thinking and considerate people. I can't say anything as a whole yet, will still need time to discover.

I did it!

Finally! It's over. Not the end but the beginning. Beginning of rehab and hopefully a new leg.

My surgery time changed twice. First it was set as 9am, then changed to 11am then the day before I was asked to adjuct it to 7.30am. I got to the hospital at about 6am. Admitted and did a whole lot of admin. Then as soon as I got up to the Day Surgery Centre, I had to change to my surgery robe and almost immediately I was wheeled to the OT.

Those of you who have encountered or have loved ones who have gone through surgery would probably know that different people would come and ask you the same set of questions over and over again. I was asked at least 4 times including my surgeon.

Since young, I have grown with the phobia of needles. I requested from the nurse that I would like to be poked with the IV drip after anaesthesia took place. Then the anaesthetist came and told me one whole story how long it would take me to be knocked out and the smell and stuffs. Just trying to convince me to do IV drip way as the effect of anaesthesia would be faster.

I got in to the OT and the next thing he was preparing to insert the IV needle. Like any doctors, he talked to me and diverted my attention onto some topics. And I felt a small ant bite sensation, he told me its done. I was quite impressed. Being one of the most terrifying moments, I felt a lot relieved. Yeah, strangely, it wasn't the surgery.

My surgeon came late. 15 mins. And I was trying to sturggle to keep myself awake. Not because the medicine was taking effect but because I had nightmares and couldn't sleep well the night before. Too much anxieties I guess. So you would have figured out that it wasn't too difficult to knock me out after the anaesthesia was injected into my hand. I only heard the anaesthetist say "It will take effect in 10secs" and then I started to feel drowsy naturally, and he said again "Try to keep your eyes open". I tried to open but soon I just succumbed to the effect of the drug.

I remember falling into deep sleep with some dreams. Then very soon, I was awoken and I was told it's done. Over. I could still reply the people there "It's done?". After a while they wheeled me back to the recovery ward.

Dad came to hospital with me and he went to Mass at the chapel downstairs. Went to meet a nun and came up with her. It was nice to see the Sister. I guess because of her presence, I felt very relieved and appreciating God's love. I chose Mt A anyway.

Then the anaesthesia was still in effect but since they woke me up, I was drifting in and out of sleep. I took my phone from dad and started to sms friends who have been praying for me.

I gave thanks to God when I was in the recovery ward that I had survived through the operation. Though it may have been a small surgery but because GA was given, anything could have happened. I was thankful He saw me through it all even till now.

God is good, all the time. A friend was saying that since now that I am MC, it's probably His plan to put me back into perspectives of my relationship with Him. And certainly, God always puts such events in my life, in His time.

It was all worth it

This weekend is the annual Inter-Polytechnic and ITE Games for Archery. Before this weekend, I honestly didn't think that we retain the Championship Trophies as there has been some lagging in training for a while.

After the end of yesterday's shoot, we only knew about the first 2 events, 4 other events results were unknown. The host would send the results by night so that we can inform our competitors. And I waited... waited... after coming home from another school event and feeling a little feverish plus exhaustion. I fell asleep after pre-empting my President that we may not have the results till this morning.

I didn't had a good sleep. I dreamt that the results were in and I had to check it. My laptop was left on. Then at about 2.30am, I just woke myself from that and decided to check my mail box. When I saw the results, I was very surprised to see my poly ranking and the no. of gold medals we were leading by. Waking up and sending the results out was definitely worth it.

I was in such ecstasy spirit that I couldn't go back to sleep even though I forced myself to, tossing and turning on the bed.

Today, we reign again by showing the rest we truly deserve the title. Well done team. I am so proud of you!