MVD Diary - Frances Ng
Thursday, June 01,2006: Pre-Consultation Testing:
A MRI was done on 06/01/06, prior to my initial consultation with Dr Hwang on 06/21/06.
Thursday, June 29,2006: Pre-Admission Testing:
The following additional tests were carried out as part of pre-admission:
Tuesday, July 12,2006: Hearing Test:
A basic hearing test was carried out because I felt the following in my right ear:
Wednesday July 26, 2006 – Hospital Admission:
Admitted into Tan Tock Seng Hospital by 3.45 PM. The funny thing was my face was quite calm and I did think that the doctors and nurses must be wondering why I was having surgery. I had to fast from midnight for the operation the following morning.
Thursday July 27, 2006 – "MVD Day":
Between 6:00 – 7:00 AM, a nurse told me to take a shower and then I was sent to the operating suite. After some waiting, I was wheeled into the operating theatre. Some of the key people introduced themselves & yes, my face was still calm. Then my surgeon, Dr Hwang came in and reassured me that the surgery would help me. Then I was out... When I awakened later in the recovery room and opened my eyes, it was bad. I had vertigo, felt fullness in my right ear and had weakness on the right side of my face. I passed the tests – what’s your name, do you know where you are, can you lift up your leg/hand - but I threw up twice. Dr Hwang came to check on me but I couldn’t say much as the vertigo was so bad that I kept my eyes closed most of the time. FYI, I’m also quite shortsighted so everything was a moving blur to me. Later I was moved to the ICU which was not comfortable and I couldn’t sleep well. If I moved too vigorously, I would feel nauseous & yes, I did throw up a few times. I was also too hooked up to move freely on the bed. The BP and cardio machines were also pretty noisy. Priscilla Poh (fellow HFSA member) came to see me later, but I was rather weak so we only talked for a short while. I was quite sad that she told me it was only about 5:00 PM, it was going to be a long night. I had a slight fever and was given Paracetamol but I threw some of it up. The nurse uncovered my blanket (ooh, the room was cold) & a wet towel was placed on my forehead. My forehead must be too short & it kept slipping down & there was nothing I could do! I was feeling rather sorry for myself but I started to think of my family, my future & the HFSA family. I cried out to God too. Then I realized that I was "SPASM FREE" and also felt no pain. Yeah!Friday July 28, 2006 – The Day After:
I was moved to the normal ward in the afternoon but I was still on the IV drip & catheter. For the first time, I had some food - plain rice porridge. It tasted yummy, but that was all I could stomach.
Saturday July 29, 2006 – Day 2 Post-Op:
In the morning, I still had vertigo but with help from a physiotherapist and a nurse, I sat up for a while and even managed to walk (probably looked like a drunk) to the doorway and back to my bed. Yippee! They encouraged me to sit up more & look around so that my dizziness would lessen.I was glad for the soft diet but I couldn’t taste so well & had no appetite. Although I was still on the IV drip, I had a wonderful night’s sleep as I was able to move in bed & it was quieter.
Sunday July 30, 2006 – Day 3 Post-Op:
At breakfast, I finished the whole bowl of oatmeal so at last, I was taken off the IV drip. I was getting less dizzy and was able to take a shower instead of being sponged in bed. It felt good to be able to take care of myself again.
Monday July 31, 2006 – Day 4 Post-Op - Going Home:
I woke up determined to be discharged and the doctors gave the OK.I went home feeling no pain or spasms but with weakness on the right side of my face, hearing loss in the right ear, a right eye that would not close fully and some vertigo. I expected the weak face & hearing loss but the dizziness took a while to adjust to. Guess my body has a higher tolerance for pain than dizziness & nausea.
5 Weeks Post-Op:
I know my journey of recovery is just beginning. I am still "SPASM FREE" & I have both eyes now! Everyday I am getting stronger and the dizziness is getting less. My taste & appetite is also coming back. Slowly, my right eye is closing & blinking better. I will continue to work on & pray about my facial paralysis and hearing loss. : )