The Pantai Experience

1st July 2008

When I was wheeled into the operating theatre, there was just peace in my heart. I thought that was pretty amazing, I mean I have never been operated on before and the fact that I don't know what on earth they are going to remove, so... it was weird that I was just so calm. Surely that was the peace of God. ;-D

I didn't feel a thing during the procedure. It was just like only a minute ago they pengsan me with the "oxygen" before I woke up...no dreams or nightmare.

The doctor and my mum (who went for a similar surgery 15 years ago) did inform me that I will experience sore throat and pain when drinking and eating. But thank God, I didn't experience any of that. Hehe. Because God is watching over me!

I’m so blessed to have so many many people prayed for me. Really appreciate all your prayers, gifts, flowers, balloons, and wishes.

Praise God that the growth is benign. The surgeon only removed half of the thyroid.
Therefore I do not need to be on pills at all... I’m recovering really fast too!

God healed me.
;-D

Am I ready?

My surgeon did say that I can be admitted today before the surgery tomorrow. But I thought I better go work and complete whatever is pending and hand over everything else in hand. It’s all so sudden. Don’t want others to pick up my mess.

Some cell members and crew drop by to visit me and pray for me. Got a Patrick from Samantha…hehe, thanks for coming all the way from your house! ;-p

Sunflower

Debbie helped gather a few friends from sangati to pray for me and Connor. We had communion at Kelvin’s. Claimed God's promises, healing and trust that He will see us through.

A reminder from the Lord

The surgeon

It is interesting that I'm back to the hospital that I was borned. Quite sure it was pretty different then.

Aren't doctors and surgeons supposed to be really busy with tight schedule everyday for the next month or something? Dr. Lee didn't say much but he scheduled me for surgery next Tuesday! I panicked a bit because the nurse was asking me to do all the hospital admission stuff. Shouldn't I think more. I thought I'll just do what they say and if I change my mind, I'll just don't appear on Tuesday!

Test results

I have previously seen a doctor from another hospital regarding my enlarged thyroid. He said to go for surgery. Well, as a very normal person, I think it is important to get a second opinion.

I had Debbie accompany me since Mum was still in China. Dato’ Dr. Khalid (Janet’s colleague from Sunway previously) is a very caring doctor. I’m not sure how many doctors are willing to give away their mobile number. ;-D He had a very very concerned face and he was silent pretty long before he spoke. Maybe he can't remember my case.. Haha, it has been 2 weeks. He probably thought I was going to cry. Yup, the test (from the last visit where he suddenly decided to poke a needle through my neck) showed that there is a suspicion of “bad” cells. He told me that if money was an issue, he could recommend me to a gov hospital. Only problem is it is going to take very long before I could get it done. If I was his sister, he would advice me to get it done ASAP. He explained what needs to be done. He gave me the contact of a surgeon.

I couldn’t go back to work…need to think. I was still calm, but maybe my mind was wondering stuff…wondering…wondering…went to watch Kung Fu Panda.

Appointment with surgeon the next day.

Lasik Surgery – 12th June 2007

I discovered quite a number of people has done this surgery! Imagine, specs and contacts free!!! That would be so great…only a person who wears specs understands this. I normally wear my contact to swim. I just can’t imagine walking around not being able to see. First, I found out Connor and Janet did it a number of years ago, then I found out dear Siew Kim also did many years ago….no negative side effects so far.

I did some research and went to the specialist with the longest track record in the country, Optimax. There is actually quite a number of different type of Lasik…and not everyone is suitable for all. My eyes were actually suitable for 2. After much thinking, I went with the more expensive but more advanced and safer procedure…hey, it’s my eyes you know, not worth taking the risk.

Actually on the actual surgery day, it’s kinda scary. They tell you all the possibility of the surgery and made me sign that I understood. Well, too late to look back.

I was lead into a room with another 3 patient. The 3 of them were from Brunei… can’t believe they flew all the way here because the outlet here in TTDI is the most advanced in the region. Our doctor, Dr. Chuah Kay Leong examined each of our eyes and explained to us the procedure. And he commented that I may experience some pain because I looked like I have small eyes. But he did comment that normally ladies are better in a way because we don’t move much (I think ladies are braver la). Right before my turn, I heard the him raising his voice telling the guy not to move numerous times. Yikes.

I prayed throughout the surgery. It was a successful one. Dr. Chuah said that my eyes are not that small after all…Haha. It was blurry right after it. Went straight home to sleep before the numbness wears off. After just sleeping for a few hours I was good. Still a little hazy… but I actually went out. ;-p

The amazing thing I discover from this is that God really made our body…dunno what is the best word but great. The cut they made on the eye does not require stitches. It just heals back on its own. Cool huh.