So here I am blogging from Ward 48 Room 20 of SGH...you can't even begin to imagine the ordeal that just transpired barely 24 hrs ago...
How It All Began...
It all started last evening at about 9:30pm. Jo said that she was tired and wanted to call it an early night. Since I was zonked out playing FIFA 2007 (PC Football game) most of yesterday afternoon, I too decided to turn in early. After she washed up and laid down for about 5 mins, she suddenly complained of breathing difficulties. I jumped up straight away as I realised it was not subsiding. She began clutching her chest and neck saying "very hard to breathe...can't breathe!" and I was at this point pale with fear and partially "brain dead". CS came to mind immediately (our "resident" Small Group doctor :) and I called him and he came running by to check Jo's breathing and heart rate.
After deep prayer for some 5 mins, her breathing started to improve and we thot we might just ride it out. Just then the breathlessness returned and CS contacted Dr Tien suggesting that we should check in to the A&E @ SGH.
Ambulance For The First Time
We called 995 and the ambulance arrived promptly and whisked us off to SGH. She was provided oxygen in the vehicle and it helped to alleviate the situation.
The wait at the A&E wasnt too bad and within 2 hours she had the last bed in the room and was resting rather fine.
Pricked, Pricked and Pricked...ahhh
Then came the unnecessary pricks to her hand which so agitated and frustrated me. I know it's not always easy finding the veins but pricking her 3 x to find a vein is ridiculous! Ok ok calm down Alex...(fuming)
In the morning Dr Leong did her rounds and said that the pleural tap (lung) and abdominal tap would be done soon after she was given an infusion of platelets. Dr Tien was present to carry out the 2 procedures.
The Procedures
At the end of the day, some 1.2 litres was extracted from the abdomen and another 730mls from the right lung. We thank God immensely for the successful procedures. The pleural tap was done by a needle pricking thru her right back between the rib bones accessing a small cavity area laden with water within the right lung. Doc says that the X-rays had shown some 3-4 litres of water present in both lungs. This is the very first time she's doing it.
How It All Began...
It all started last evening at about 9:30pm. Jo said that she was tired and wanted to call it an early night. Since I was zonked out playing FIFA 2007 (PC Football game) most of yesterday afternoon, I too decided to turn in early. After she washed up and laid down for about 5 mins, she suddenly complained of breathing difficulties. I jumped up straight away as I realised it was not subsiding. She began clutching her chest and neck saying "very hard to breathe...can't breathe!" and I was at this point pale with fear and partially "brain dead". CS came to mind immediately (our "resident" Small Group doctor :) and I called him and he came running by to check Jo's breathing and heart rate.
After deep prayer for some 5 mins, her breathing started to improve and we thot we might just ride it out. Just then the breathlessness returned and CS contacted Dr Tien suggesting that we should check in to the A&E @ SGH.
Ambulance For The First Time
We called 995 and the ambulance arrived promptly and whisked us off to SGH. She was provided oxygen in the vehicle and it helped to alleviate the situation.
The wait at the A&E wasnt too bad and within 2 hours she had the last bed in the room and was resting rather fine.
Pricked, Pricked and Pricked...ahhh
Then came the unnecessary pricks to her hand which so agitated and frustrated me. I know it's not always easy finding the veins but pricking her 3 x to find a vein is ridiculous! Ok ok calm down Alex...(fuming)
In the morning Dr Leong did her rounds and said that the pleural tap (lung) and abdominal tap would be done soon after she was given an infusion of platelets. Dr Tien was present to carry out the 2 procedures.
The ProceduresAt the end of the day, some 1.2 litres was extracted from the abdomen and another 730mls from the right lung. We thank God immensely for the successful procedures. The pleural tap was done by a needle pricking thru her right back between the rib bones accessing a small cavity area laden with water within the right lung. Doc says that the X-rays had shown some 3-4 litres of water present in both lungs. This is the very first time she's doing it.
If all is fine, Doc will extract more water from the lungs tomorrow. The colour of the water looks like beer.
After the procedure, she had her fav noodles with duck soup from the kopi tiam below. Ahh, what a relieve to see her eat...and eat well.
Again, I thank you all for your prayers and presence for those who came by. Really really appreciate it. We continue to hold fast that all will be well tomorrow. I reckon the earliest she'll be discharged is probably Wednesday...will keep ya all posted.
*SGH - Singapore General Hospital
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