A SILENT PRAYER FOR DAD
My 80+ year old father fell down 3 times over the weekend. Although there was a minor swelling and bruise on the side of his head, he seemed to be ok. There was no sign of other visible injuries. He was at his normal self, enjoying his meals, watching television and taking naps in between. There seemed to be no reason to panic or a need for drastic actions that might cause him unnecessary duress. Nevertheless, there was this perpetual feeling of unease and nagging anxiety. Events suddenly took a drastic change on Monday evening. His body went cold and he became incoherent. An ambulance was called and he was immediately sent to the Emergency section of SJMC.
A brain scan and x-ray was carried out. The neurologist said there was concussion, minor burst arteries and shrinkage of the brain, but the situation was not so serious that warranted a surgery. However, he has to be warded in the HDU for further observations.
Most people are uncomfortable, but my dad has an aversion to staying in a hospital. His nightmarish experience and serious case of bed sores 13 years ago at the Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore did not help matter. Even at his advanced age, he has very set ways, personal habits and a dignity that is difficult to compromise. Compounded by his semi-conscious state of mind, physical discomfort and fear, being physically handled by strangers (nurses) is extremely difficult to bear. The nurses too had a hard time taking care of him as he struggles and refuses (unable) to cooperate. It is heart wrenching to see him tied down to the bed and struggling in vain with bruises and welts developing on his wrists and forearms and mumbling incoherently. The impulse is to get him discharged immediately and come back to the comfort, familiarity and security of home. However, things seem to be getting more complicated with dad developing a fever and a minor case of pneumonia on top of the other problems. Nevertheless, we will bring him home the very moment
the doctor gives the green light.
In the meantime, there is so little we could do but to offer a silent prayer that he will recover soon and come home. We love you so much dad. Dad, we hope you can hear us. We want you to be with us for many more years to come.
25 November 2009
A brain scan and x-ray was carried out. The neurologist said there was concussion, minor burst arteries and shrinkage of the brain, but the situation was not so serious that warranted a surgery. However, he has to be warded in the HDU for further observations.
Most people are uncomfortable, but my dad has an aversion to staying in a hospital. His nightmarish experience and serious case of bed sores 13 years ago at the Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore did not help matter. Even at his advanced age, he has very set ways, personal habits and a dignity that is difficult to compromise. Compounded by his semi-conscious state of mind, physical discomfort and fear, being physically handled by strangers (nurses) is extremely difficult to bear. The nurses too had a hard time taking care of him as he struggles and refuses (unable) to cooperate. It is heart wrenching to see him tied down to the bed and struggling in vain with bruises and welts developing on his wrists and forearms and mumbling incoherently. The impulse is to get him discharged immediately and come back to the comfort, familiarity and security of home. However, things seem to be getting more complicated with dad developing a fever and a minor case of pneumonia on top of the other problems. Nevertheless, we will bring him home the very moment
the doctor gives the green light.
In the meantime, there is so little we could do but to offer a silent prayer that he will recover soon and come home. We love you so much dad. Dad, we hope you can hear us. We want you to be with us for many more years to come.
25 November 2009
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