Someone told me I'd be bored stiff if I were to be warded for 4 straight days in a hospital without a TV. After my experience in a B1 ward in KK hospital back in 2001, where I had an emergency C-section and where I didn't bathe for 4 days despite having a luxurious-sized bathroom and the shock of getting the bill afterwards (although I never fully-utilised the facilities) I was glad that I have a more economic love for reading.
So for my second child, not only did I opt for being wide awake during my C-section (I researched and am mentally prepared for it), I also opt for a B2+ ward which is air-conditioned, subsidized by the government and have an attached bathroom. Even if I couldn't bathe, at least I'm comfortable.
The first night was ok. The minute I was wheeled into the 5 bedded ward, the other 3 patients were discharged and all the beds were freshly made that same afternoon. I felt like the plague carrier. So I was left with the patient in front of me and that night I requested for the nurses on duty to leave the ward door open. (I have a right to be cautious. I've read too much hospital horror stories) So I had a good night's rest with the reassuring whispers of the nurses changing shifts and exchanging gossips.
The first few days there was somewhat enjoyable as I no longer have this phobia that my stomache would burst open. I can enjoy my bath and change my baby's diapers without getting overwhelmed by his sudden yelling and even have time to teach the student nurses how to tie the strings on a maternity pad after I was left unflatteringly exposed while they figure out which end of the strings goes to which loop.
I didn't miss the TV one bit.
My last night stay was a different story altogether. I thought I could jolly well enjoy my last peaceful night of sleep before facing the many months of sleepless nights to come. So after wheeling my baby to the nursery, I prepared for bed as usual and read the first few pages of Bridget Jones Diary with the curtains drawn. I didn't know when I slipped into slumberland because I was jolted wide awake somewhere around 3 am.
It began as this weird dream of playing netball with a group of people. Suddenly I was surrounded by Indian ladies calling out "Ammah....Ayyahhhh.....Ammmahhhhh". They began surging towards me as if I just came out from Planet Reebok with a pair of needed trainers for their netball game. Then they started chasing me and I was jolted awake only to hear more "Ammahhss and Ayyahhss" coming out from the bed ten o-clock to my left.
I instantly remembered the quiet Indian girl, in her early twenties being admitted that afternoon. She has not given birth but was warded anyway. Probably her gynae was monitoring her. So, this girl was crying "Ammahhhhh....Ayyahhh..." for the next ten minutes and it began to get really irritating. I mean, if she's in pain, can't she call out for help? There's a radio button on every bed. What happened to hers?
And so, being civic minded and a bit selfish, I pressed on my own button to call out the nurses stationed outside. One of them came in with a torchlight and goes "who press the bell??" in the darkened room. The girl next to me was snoring and the other two patients were blissfully asleep. I was like "Can you check on the girl? She's been crying like for the past ten minutes"
The nurse turned towards the girl who had just stepped into the loo and spoke through the door, "Rajesh?...You ok or not? Want to go down? (Labour ward)" The girl mumbled something inside and the nurse said "Ok" and left the room. I felt like the boy who cried wolf.
I heard the sound of flushing and the creaking of "Rajesh's" bed. She damn well better get back to sleep because she sure is messing with mine. I was almost dozing off when the crying started again. Wah liao!!. What is this? Just now say ok, then cry some more. I felt like throwing a bucket of water at her.
It went on for the next hour and amidst her crying, I fell into a short dream where I actually literally kicked her out of the room! I was rudely awaken by louder "Ammahhhss and Ayyahhhs". This time I jammed the radio button again and pretended to sleep when the nurse on duty stepped in. This time, Rajesh wisely continued crying. The nurses wheeled her out and then total silence. Well, except for the girl snoring beside my bed who, remained asleep throughout the commotion, but otherwise, very, very quiet.
I checked out my cellphone. Hmm, 4:45am. I might as well get some sleep.
I turned left. Then turn right. Then left again and blinked. WTF??...
And so it was, at 5:00 am, at KK hospital, I bade farewell to 8 hours of peaceful sleep. Well, not exactly forever but at least for the next coming year or so..... I think....
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