After five days in the hospital (a none too pleasant experience as I recounted here), I was finally discharged on Sunday afternoon, and have been convalescing at home for the last two days. It’s crazy that I have basically been sick for over a month, and even crazier that I had to be hospitalized.
How do I feel? Kind of like I’ve been beaten up. I am just. so. weak. But then, being laid up in bed for upwards of two weeks will do that to you. My chronic stomach pain and nausea, which intensified once I got back to Hong Kong, prevented me from eating. I knew I had lost weight, but I was appalled when, the day I was admitted into the hospital, they weighed me and I realized that I had lost an astonishing 12 pounds (5 kilos) and had reached a number on the scale that I haven’t seen since I was a pre-teen.
I mentioned the bedside manner (or lack thereof) that I experienced in the hospital, as well as my “roomies”, but I don’t think I really elaborated how little sleep I got while in the hospital. The woman who was coughing up a lung? She coughed ALL NIGHT. To the point where I only slept an hour at a time because her coughing woke me up! It was crazy. In the end, I felt really sorry for her; she was very very old and seemed to be suffering quite a bit. The nurses, bless them, came around at all hours of the night to administer meds. So, oftentimes, I would get woken up at 3am so one of them could give me some sort of drug cocktail.
I’ve never been in the hospital before and I realize that I really did not like the experience (then again, does anyone?). I alluded to being in pain from the insertion of the IV, but the pain was so severe that its insertion reduced me into a blubbering mess- it was that painful. I don’t know if it’s common practice in Hong Kong, but they inserted the IV into the boniest part of the back of my hand, in the area directly below the juncture between my thumb and my index. I’ve never seen it put there before.
Usually, at least as far as I know, the IV is placed on the back of the hand, but near the center, or alternatively, near the inside of the wrist. At any rate, the IV was so painful that I lost feeling in my finger tips and my hand was too sore to move, even days after it was put in. I couldn’t type. I couldn’t close the door to the washroom with that hand when it was time to relieve myself (never mind that I had to drag the whole IV machine contraption with me into the washroom with me). I couldn’t put my hair in a ponytail (you need two hands!), couldn’t shower, or use that hand to hold a glass of water. I had trouble sleeping because it hurt so much, and I placed many tearful phone calls to my mother and Liebling relaying my agony and discomfort. The pain was even worse when they would inject medication into it (using a syringe to squirt painkilling fluid into the screw-off opening)- I could feel the medication flowing up into my vein! Gross! They told me that I was in so much pain because I have sensitive veins and that my experience was not typical. Lucky me.
At my request, after three days of discomfort, they took it out, and I howled during the removal so loudly I’m sure people down the hall thought there was a werewolf in the building. But that’s the thing with being sick- after a while you just don’t care and don’t have any shame! I was just feeling too awful to be embarrassed.
I’ll reiterate that being sick when abroad is terrible. All I wanted was my mommy. Or Liebling. But they were a 15-hour and 12-hour flight away, respectively (and that’s if I managed to get a direct flight). It’s funny how our proclamations of independence and “I’m gonna do everything for myself” flies out the window when you aren’t well. All I could think of in my drug-induced haze was snuggling into my childhood bed back in Toronto, and having my mom bring me mint tea.
But how do I feel now?!? Well, compared to last week, infinitely better. My strength is improving. On Sunday, I took a cab home from the hospital after being discharged and the effort of transiting from taxi to my front door (about 20 metres) made me want to collapse. Monday, I walked to Starbucks (a 5 minute walk) to get a tea and the effort made me break out into a sweat. I can’t believe I ever ran a 10k race! The thought of doing something that physical is crazy to me. A friend stopped by my place last night to check on me, and I told her that I was feeling down about my very slow recovery. But as the doctor said, these things take time, and a positive attitude is almost a pre-requisite for making it back to feeling 100%. This morning, I woke up early and actually felt… kind of good. But the stomach pain, that old familiar feeling, came back in the afternoon, so for now I am lying prostrate in bed. Today is Tuesday. I will be back to work on Thursday (after nearly three weeks off on sick leave). Progress is slow, but I’ma make it, by Jove!
Today, though, I am STARVING. After weeks of not having an appetite, I want to eat everything in sight. I demolished a box of cookies this morning. This is dangerous. My skeletal figure from last week? A distant memory. I think I’ve put on at least 5 pounds back on in the 4 days that I’ve been eating solid foods (mostly carbs since they are simple to digest).
One thing that really sucks about being this ill is that I’m going to have to cancel my Malaysia trip. I was supposed to be doing a solo trip to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi from January 28 to February 4 (we are off for a week for Chinese New Year). But it’s just not a good idea, especially since I was supposed to be going on my own. It’s terrible, as I’ve already spent a small fortune (to me) on the plane tickets, and am not sure if I can get reimbursed for them or get a flight credit. But getting better is more important…. And the thought of getting sick again in an even MORE foreign country, where I’ll completely by myself, and have absolutely no knowledge of the health care system, terrifies me. And so… Malaysia will have to be rebooked for another time, when I’m back to feeling fabulous. Money is money- you win some you lose some and luckily losing $400 USD on a plane ticket will not ruin me financially. C’est la vie!
Here’s hoping 2011, with its sketchy/shady/unfortunate beginning, will only look up for me from here! This experience has taught me to NEVER take my health for granted.
P.S.: the dreaded hospital bill? I had to sign a receipt/release form and my 5 day stay (including the room, doctor’s visits, medicine, food, and stomach ultrasound) cost just over 20,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $2, 600 USD). A steal, in my opinion, compared to what that would have cost in a place like the States. And the best part? My insurance covered it all.
23 Comments
I am so happy that you are back home and now on the road to recovery and can do so at peace at home. I know it aint easy being sick in a foreign country without family around. I hope your health will keep getting better and soon you will be back to your former self. take it easy and mend. You are in my prayers.
I just found your blog and I'm in love with it!!! 🙂 Trying to figure out if i should start from the beginning or go backwards lol
I'm happy you're getting better and I totally agree that that's a steal! I once went to the emergency room because i had pneumonia (Which I didnt know at the time) and between the lung x-ray and meds it was like $1800. xP
I'm glad you are back and feeling a bit better (I've been a reader of your blog but never posted… so hi!). I couldn't imagine what it's like to be in a foreign hospital and hopefully I don't ever find out! Even when I'm sick in France I just want to be on the couch at home with my mum bringing me hot soup and cups of tea. My supervisor got hospitalised when we were in Peru and he had to pay for every little thing – food, blankets, medication etc. It was reimbursed by insurance afterwards. I got an IV once and I cried, the pain in my hand was immense!! Best of luck getting back to health and take care 🙂
Thank God for medical insurance! Glad to hear you're feeling better.
I know the feeling though. I had surgery a few years back and about 2 weeks after I had to go for a checkup. Well, the walk from Queen & University to Queen & Yonge was fine…or so I thought. When I got home I was beat. It was as though I had run a marathon. I think I slept for 12 hours straight I was so tired.
Take it easy and make sure you are completely well before you take off somewhere else (on your own).
Btw, what's this about you moving to Europe? I saw your comment on Kerry's blog. Do tell!
Your stay in the hospital sounded awful! Glad to hear your school gave you the time off! My friend lived in Korea for 2.5 yrs and had to work unless it was near-death. Craziness. Wishing you a fast recovery!
Wow! Get better soon and quickly. Drinks lots of fluids and try to eat proteins and veggies. You will be surprised how quickly you will feel better.
Too bad abt your trip but that is ok. There will be something even better just around the corner.
so happy you're out of the hospital! i can't imagine being without my loved ones during such a difficult time..but you're a trooper! best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Thank you!!! I've feeling much better today and am hoping that the upward trend continues!
@kimvan: thanks for your prayers!
@liveletlive: LOVE your screenname! Yowzers, that's expensive! Maybe start reading from the beginning???! 😉
@kiwi in france: Thanks so much for commenting! Who knew that an IV would be so painful?! Hope I never have to go through that again!
@tanya: Oh gosh, I totally understand! I have been passing out in bed (in my clothes) at about 7:30pm every night. It's like I can't keep my eyes open! And YES! The plan is to join my love in Europe this fall! He's working in London, so I'm supposed to be joining him there, but I am dying to live in France again so I'm thinking of maybe staying a couple of months in Paris before actually joining him in London… At least that way we can see each other on the weekends… But, my heart is really in Nice! I would LOVE to live there again! At any rate, I'm soooo looking forward to this European move. I wish I could fall asleep and wake up and have it be September already!
@Rachel: I have been really lucky with regards to my workplace- they have been super understanding about me needing time off. I can't imagine being at a place that wasn't supportive, that's so stressful especially when you're trying to focus on recovering.
@Rhona: I was reading your blog and saw that you've been sick for weeks as well! We need to start up a "Sickies" club, lol… Thanks for the advice, and you take care of yourself as well- sounds like you also picked up a nasty bug.
@Nikki: Thanks so much! Being sick away from home has been the worst thing ever but I'm feeling so much more positive about things now. 🙂
Merci beaucoup Oneika!!
It me again Nathanaelle; I know that I have a weird profile name that is why I changed it again to something else. Loll
I hope that you feel much better that yesterday!!
Dear thank Lord because you are pretty and you are photogenique like French people say.
Your man will get us to it maybe later. Loll
Regarding myself I hate pics as hell you have no clue. I am not photogenic at all that is why I don't even like to give a try. Maybe I will try that on my wedding day ( hihi!!!)
I notice that you really love Paris.
Humm!!! I never been there but when you will go,please keep us updated as always about what you like and what it is like to be in France.
Personally, I never been there and I am not a big fan of the place but I believe that Paris is the nicest place to chill, to get friendszzz ( I am just exaggerating)and also a good place for couples( like you and your beau) to enjoy and get a real feeling of romance.
So, let me know if you want me to teach you French for Free ( lolllll) but I am serious about it because I do speak it fluently!!!
A bientot Mademoiselle Oneika.
@Nathanz: Merci de ton commentaire, tu n'aurais pas dû changer ton pseudo/ nom de profil parce que même si c'est différent, c'est très très jolie!
Et merci de tous tes compliments! J'adore prendre des photos! Tu viens d'où en fait? Moi je suis canadienne et je parle le français depuis que je suis toute petite alors pas besoin que tu m'enseignes hihi, mais quand même j'adore le parler/écrire et j'ai plus vraiment l'occasion alors si tu veux tu peux me laisser des commentaires en français et je te réponds dans la langue de Molière aussi… LOL
En fait moi j'étais pas trop fan de Paris à l'époque mais maintenant je commence à apprécier alors j'ai trop hâte d'avoir le possibilité de regagner le territoire français… Bon, on verra! Si Dieu le veut…
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