Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

I know, I have not been blogging for the last 6 weeks or more but I have a very good reason (at least, I think it's good enough that you would forgive me - and I hope you'd hear me out).

First Attack

On the 18th of March, Saturday - at around 2230 hrs immediately after my late dinner of Poached Salmon in a bed of Watercress Salad drenched with balsamic vinegar and extra helpings of extra virgin olive oil for dressing, I had severe abdominal pains. I tried many a different positions to alleviate the pain to no help.

The pain was so bad and unrelenting that I decided to go the the Accident and Emergency of St Thomas' with my friend on the 20th of March, 2 days after the first onset of pain. I was seen in a Major Surgery Ward.

The reason for not going sooner are as follows:

I hate needles
I hate being fussed about
I hate hospitals as a patient

and last but not least, my pain tolerance is apparently very low. The manifestation of series of face contortions, sound productions every time I had my injections and blood drawn. The daily ritual of 1800 hrs injections and 0730 blood drawing before breakfast reinforced my great dislike of hospitals. Only this time, I started believing that Dracula must be in residence somewhere in the basement of St Thomas' hospital hence the need of blood sample under the pretense of blood tests!

Anyway, to continue, I was discharged from the hospital at 1800 hrs with a prescription of Omeprazole and Peptac which I queried from the doctor who attended me. To my dissatisfaction, he only replied that it was the only prescription I needed and that the pain should eventually go. I insisted that it might not work to which his reply was " see your GP in 3 to 5 days time if still in pain". I was not impressed but left anyway.

Four days later, I returned to the Accident and Emergency in the same hospital after having seen by my own doctor who diagnosed me with appendicitis (to which I disagree). I was told by my doctor to take a taxi to the hospital. I replied, can I drive? to which he said - No and no bus either. I thought, that was the only sensible advice he could have given me that day!

Whilst at the hospital this time, I waited for two hours to be seen by a doctor in a Minor Surgery Ward. I did not say anything but I thought - this is typical, they must be thinking that I was wasting their precious medical time - I even doubted my pain, but it was too much to ignore anyway.

More blood tests - result was negative again. I then mention if it could be gall stones. This time I was right for it was confirmed by the lady doctor who did the ultra-sound scan and who was most sympathetic to the pain I was in. She said, "This pain is worse than giving birth! I know you would not know that type of pain but that's the best I can describe it". Alas, I felt relieved, that someone believed my pain! It wasn't a product of imagination - it was real! Hurray!

As a result, I was not sent home but was confined in the hospital - confined at Luke's Ward!

Luke Ward, was not a very nice ward. Why, because they have quite a number of nurses that didn't have compassion. It felt like they were only there because they needed to make a living and it was their job. This was the impression I got from them and that is my personal opinion of the ward. In fact, whilst I was in this ward, one patient requested to be moved to another ward. I also had a series of unpleasant experiences in this ward and the last one reduced me to tears! Saying that, there were nurses that were nice too! Glad to be discharged on the 2nd of April though.

On this recent life's journey, I realised that when one is in pain and ill, one's perception becomes acute; making you sensitive to peoples needs, peoples reactions - be they fellow patients, nurses or doctors! It also makes you selfish. Why? It makes you aware of your pain and it makes you want to be notice therefore more aware of your needs and self centred.

Sunday, the 2nd of April, it was a beautiful day. John, Melanie and Andy kindly picked me up from the hospital after the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race which was around 1930 hrs. We then proceeded to the Blackpepper's a local restaurant then home!

I was relieved to be back home but was short-lived.

John drove me back to the hospital three days later after having been ill again and sick from Tuesday the 4th of April.

This time, I was admitted by the hospital in no time. I had ERCP two days later and was cut open three days after that on the 10th of April and was discharged on the 22nd of April.

On this journey of mine, it made me realise who my true friends are for they occupy a special place in my heart. John, Ruy, Marcia and Lee. My family's affection were manifested by them crossing the Atlantic and staying with me for two solid weeks - Mum, Roy, Ellen and Jamie. For the rest who remained in the US - Mama, Dad, Josh, Aunts and Uncles and Cousins - their love and prayers kept me going. My best friend Jerome's best wishes made it easy too.

Alan Aldana