Swirls and Twirls: In 2005, They Cut Me Open and Took My Appendix

I wasn't abducted by aliens, don't worry. I had appendicitis four years back and since I found some pictures, I thought I would share the story.

Now, appendicitis basically means that your appendix (a useless tube of tissue from your large intestine) is inflamed and angry. If left alone, the angry appendix would most prolly burst/erupt and be potentially fatal. Of course, it beats me how someone can possibly ignore/endure the pain for that long. I'm guessing that the angry appendix doesn't just explode in five minutes but like it takes a while for it to reach its limit.

Back in 2005, I think it happened on either a Saturday or Sunday. It was also the day of my younger cousin's full moon or one year birthday celebration dinner. Earlier in the day, I was out with friends walking around Bangsar.I had a Starbucks Coffee Jelly drink and a heavy meal. I was sooooo stuffed.

And you know what? When your parents tell you not to jump around after food or your appendix will explode.... IT IS TRUE!!!! I didn't exactly jump around. One or two people would know what actually brought on the blockage of my appendix and to the rest, I'm not telling! Unless you pay me.*whistles*

So, come dinner time... I headed over to my grandmother's place and there was a big feast going on with caterers and so on. I remember feeling not very hungry, but grabbed a fried chicken drumstick anyway (being greedy and all!). I tried to eat it, but couldn't as I felt some discomfort in my lower abdomen. At first, I thought it was Urinary Tract Infection as I used to suffer from that a lot.

I went upstairs to rest and my younger cousin Kei Kei decided to run around me in circles. That really did it and I ran to the toilet to puke and shit. Not at the same time, one after the other lah! So, when all that was done... I thought I would feel some relief, but I was so wrong as the pain intensified and my parents had to drive me to the clinic.

Dad drove at like 60kph because he was afraid that the potholes and bumps would cause me more pain. I was rolling around the backseat making animalistic noises. Howling and screeching in pain. I crushed a plastic bottle. Scared my brother who must've thought that my brains were melting. I came in the car seated and by the time we reached the clinic in USJ 4, I had rolled around clockwise/counter clockwise several times.

The pain was so bad. It kept going up a notch every minute and from a mild discomfort, it became unbearable. I wanted to rip out my abdomen and pull my hair. Anyway... BIG mistake in going to the clinic because the doctor took one look at me and said to go to the hospital. He had the mercy and wisdom to jab me with some painkillers.

I rolled into the emergency room, they propped me on a hospital bed and gave me another shot of painkillers. Things from there on till when I met the doctor were a blur haze. The doctor came by to see me early morning and I was in a drugged state and completely alone. Somewhere I must've told my parents to go home and rest.

Doctor: How are you girl?

Me: Urghh.. uh..oh...
Doctor: I see, I see.... *pressing abdomen*
Me: Owwwhh
Doctor: Girl, I think you have appendicitis
Me: Ohhgayy

Nurse: Can you sign these papers?

Me: Ohhgayy *signs*

WTF? I'm alone. Obviously drugged and they ask me to sign the consent form? I didn't know that I had signed it until much later in the morning when one of the hospital helpers came to take me for X-rays. He told me that I was going to go in the operating room in a few hours and I was like, 'NO WAY!!!'. Dad was there by that time and we called in the nurse who confirmed that I had signed on it. Wtf. Talk about a shock. I had thought that since the pain was gone that I would just need to take pills and stroll back home.

I was sorta freaking out inside, but kept a cool macho face. But deep inside, I was chicken shit. Kept thinking of all those horror stories of people who remain conscious despite the general anesthesia numbing their bodies. They are awake and totally aware of everything, but cannot shout out. Argh. Not the best thoughts to have before you are about to be cut open like a piece of meat.

They wheeled me into the operating theatre and propped me on the operating bed.

OUT OF NO WHERE POPS....

A bloody clown!!! WTF.

Okay. It didn't go down that way. Here's what happened.

This fella:

Is the anesthesiologist.

He was wearing a surgical mask that made his red wispy hair poke out by the sides like a clown's. Did I tell you his name is Robert? No? Thank god, because his name isn't Robert.

In fact, it's LOBERT! This clown introduced himself to me as LOBERT. And he was about to inject me with anesthesia to ensure that the surgery is painless. I thought I was surely fucked.

Lobert started counting backwards from 10, 9, 8, 7 ..................... and I knocked out before 6. Not bad for a clown aye.

The feeling of waking up after GA is quite surreal. I remember hearing the nurses calling my name gently and telling me to wake up. I'm grateful for their kind voices because it didn't freak me out that badly when I couldn't move my body. I was super groggy --- I remember seeing my dad, Sheau Ing, Edmund and Chin Ong in my hospital room. I think I waved hello and gave a thumbs up before I passed out again.

Recovery was a bitch. I couldn't laugh. Couldn't eat properly. Worst still, I couldn't SHIT properly! Oh the horrors. I was so afraid of showering in case I got the bandages and wound wet. A lot of people were especially caring and supportive of me during the time I was recuperating. I am so thankful for my family and friends. *mwah*

Okay. I'm going to end this post with three pictures. Not for the faint hearted. You have been warned!

1. A picture of me without make up, stoning on the hospital bed