Orthognathic surgery

21st sept 09:

admitted into CGH with the company of my mum and elder sis for my Oral & maxillofacial surgery (is universally recognized as a one of the nine specialties of dentistry where my jaw bones will be cut/fractured and re-aligned, held in place with either screws or plates and screws). Super lucky to get an A class ward as it was Hari Raya and most patients have been discharged. Jasmine came by in the evening to company me watch teevee. We had fries! Hard time falling asleep so Faith companied me over the phone for an hour. I was damn scared! Doctor came to put in my IV line in the afternoon..i freaked out because it was very painful. As the night went by, nurses came to check my vital signs and blood pressure. Super annoying as i was trying to get some sleep. I think i slept for an hour? Not good.

22nd sept 09:

9am. my surgery was scheduled the first that day. Was being pushed down to OR7 at 8am. I saw nothing but lights and more lights above me. The nurses did some pre-op checks and attached me to machines etc. Doctor came, put me to sleep. The feeling was very weird. Within 8 seconds i was knocked out. But prior to that, i couldnt really breathe. So if you ask me, having GA is like sending yourself to hell. Think my body didnt response too well to it. I woke up at about 5.30pm having difficulties in breathing. They gave me 4 litres of oxygen and monitored me for an hour while they transfused blood back to my body. The nurses were very nice, gave me water very patiently. Surgeon came to tell me that the op went very well. I was so so so scared. Had i known how horrible this would be, i would have never ever signed myself for this op. Told them to call my parents who were waiting. By 6.30pm, i saw them. I was holding onto their hands for my dear life. I felt so lousy and scared i was crying buckets. Why in the world did i put myself through this? It was indeed the worst period of my life.

Faith and Amber came to visit me. Just by sitting quietly on my bedside, i felt really comforted. I needed all the encouragement and care. I thought i won't be able to make it. Thank you so much my dearest friends. It meant a lot a lot to me. My lil sis slept over that night to keep watch over me. I was having some trouble breathing. Bleeding through the nose, the numb-ness at the back of my head and cheeks were causing me discomfort. Some stupid nurse came in to take blood samples at the middle of the night. She couldnt locate the veins and i was poked twice, till i cried. Next morning, i told the doctors i didnt want to get poked anymore and they were kind enough to let me pass.

Had fever post-op. Drinking medicine using the stringe was a slow and tiring process. Nurses were very patient in feeding me. Swallowing was a nightmare since i am required to adhere to an all-liquid diet for 1 month at least.

Really thankful for my sister's company that night. I know it must be hard on her to sleep on the chair and keep watch on me, making sure i was comfortable. Parking at the hospital was so costly, my heartaches when they take turn to sleep over with me.

23rd Sept 2009:

Fever subsided and doctors said i can go home if i want. But mum insisted that i stay for another day of observation. Thankfully i stayed because i had drug allergy. My eyes were so swollen, i couldnt breathe and was forced to insert another IV line for medication. I was too weak to resist it. Damn. I was poked over 7 times, plasters all over my arms. Bloody medication was so bitter, its the worst medicine. Yucks. Antibiotics/painkillers were suppose to aid in recovery. But i think keeping my spirits up is a better medication.

Went down to see doctor, taught me how to clean my mouth and brush. Removed blood clots in my nostrils. Got my xtray taken. 4 titanium plates in my jaws now. No skiing in Korea? Sigh..
With support and care and love, i think i will try to pull through. Trying to clear my emails and outstanding work. Quite tiring.

Mum stayed over to take care of me and monitor in case i have more allergies. Managed to pull through the night so doctor discharged me. Mum wants me to stay one more night. Omg, i begged to go home.

24th Sept 2009:

Lil sis came to collect my medicine, bought my ENSURE milk formula. Caleb came to visit me. Went home at about 3pm. By then, i was feeling better but still lousy. Can't really speak and blood was running in my nostrils. Suffering. Moving around very slowly at home..almost like invalid? But taking lots of liquid frequently so that my body is hydrated. Can feel myself losing weight..kinda sucks because it'll get worst. My mind not too clear either..jaws and teeth all bounded and rubberized up..so its very restrictive.

If you read till here, congratulations.
I tend to drift off to sleep very suddenly after surgery..
Just feeling heavy cheeks down, numb everywhere. Slight discomfort.

Thank u chris, melly, dine, grace, jasmine, faith, amber, miss lim, sulin, Julia, Alfred, Yunhao, Jennifer, Luke, Uncle Michael and Eunice. And of course my parents and sisters for standing by me. It's indeed the worst of everything i've experienced so far and i'd love to erase this memory.

Thank you God..i know you are with me..