After an upbeat entry about the Gung-Ho Run, this entry is to reflect
how set-backs could creep in when you least expect them.
I decided to Whatsapp my friend Orthopedic Dr the day after the run (20
Nov 13) asking him if he could spare some time to look at my crooked
pinky (link). I was lucky as he said he could
see me during lunch time. Wow…that was
very kind of him.
I arrived at the base hospital, waited for about 10 minutes outside his
clinic and it was time to see him. Then
it all went super fast and within 45 minutes after leaving his clinic, I found
myself being registered for an operation to re-attach my suspected torn
tendon. What???? No time to think, just
react ok. I trust my Dr as I have known
him since 2006, and he has performed my PCL reconstruction surgery before.
Just a small surgery with local anesthetic? Didn’t seem like it though. The pre-surgical process was quite
intimidating to be honest. First, I was
told to change into a complete garment for surgical patient. Huh!!! ID bracelet was placed around my wrist, IV
line was put on my right hand (ouch), indemnity form, question on allergies
etc. A quick call to my wife and I was immediately
ushered on a wheelchair to the OT. All
set to go.
As I lied on the operation table, the nurses helped to remove my wedding
ring and glasses. All the patches to
monitor my vital signs were placed.
Unfortunately, a screen was also put in between to prevent me from seeing the
ops procedure. My left arm was positioned on a
raised platform, then rubbed with the cleaning solution………all we needed then was
for the Dr to come in.
The procedure to reattach the severed tendon in my finger took less than
one hour. However, I discovered that the
local anesthetic for a finger surgery did not alleviate the pain
completely. In fact, the operation was
quite a painful experience. Quite a
sting for each of the anesthetic injection, and all the cuts and whatever was
done to reattach the tendon were not exactly “pain free”, and “painful” was
probably a better word to describe it. I
was told the pain was inevitable as the area was small and so close to the
bone, I just had to endure this “little” pain I guessed.
I know my pain tolerance is quite high, but I felt my pain threshold was
really stretched during this surgery.
The surgery was finally over and I was quickly wheel-chaired back to the
ward for recovery. I was advised that I
could stay overnight if I wanted, but I decided against it as I felt I would be
better off recuperating at home.
The outcome
The ID Bracelet
So now the pinky is heavily bandaged and supported by a splint until my appointment next
Tuesday. This has been super fast. A crooked finger, a quick assessment by the
Dr, a quick surgery………… but now the long and slow battle towards recovery.
I was advised to spend the night here....but
.......I want to go home
Life is so full of surprises……… I pray that God will give me the strength in
coping with the many challenges coming my way. Amin.
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