MVD Diary - Jenny Low


Surgery performed by:    Dr. John Thomas
Surgical Location:          Singapore General Hospital, (Singapore)
Surgery Date:                 October 13, 2009

Diary prepared by:         Jenny Low
Date diary finalized:       November 6, 2009


Like many others, I was so fed up with Botox after so many years and decided to go for surgery. It is through the HFSA that I came to know a lot of wonderful people and get to know Dr, John Thomas and decided to go for surgery with him. He let me feel at ease after the 1st consultation on August 14, 2009 and thus surgery was scheduled for October 13, 2009 after the MRI scanning was done on September 11, 2009.

 

October 12, 2009 – Pre-Op Admission:

I was admitted one day before the surgery on and ECG, Blood Sample and Hearing Test were conducted accordingly. The anesthetist came and explained about the surgery procedures and what to expect the next day.

 

October 13, 2009 – "MVD DAY":

Was awoke at 6:00 am and told to take a shower and the nurses begin preparing me for surgery. I was wheeled to the theatre by 8:00 am and inside the operation theatre, many teams of doctors and nurses were there busily preparing for the surgery. I was asked many times the same questions – what is your name, how old are you and do you know where you are now……

Without realizing, I was already sedated and when I woke up from the daze, it was already 11:00 pm. Then I realized that I was in the ICU ward and it seems everything is over. Thought very giddy like a zombie, my face was calm and no feeling of twitch at all.

 

October 14, 2009 – Day 1 Post-Op:

Woke up about 9:00 am and the right side of my face was calm with no feeling of twitching and no loss of hearing except feeling bad headache and giddiness. (Praise the Lord) Vomited a few times in the ICU ward though.

By 11:00 am, the nurses were ready to send me to a normal ward. Inside the normal ward, the whole day feeling tired and giddy.

 

October 15, 2009 – Day 2 Post-Op:

Although still feeling giddy, the nurse removed my IV drip and I spent the entire day in and out of sleep (wake-up, sleep) but felt that the energy coming back slowly and have no vomiting after every meals. Of course, they did prescribe anti-nausea medication and painkiller for the headache. Somehow I developed very bad cough at night!

 

October 16, 2009 – Day 3 Post-Op:

Didn’t sleep well due to the coughing, woke up at 7.30 am to have my shower and wash up. About 9:00 am , Dr Thomas came and checked on me. Told him that I experienced blockage in my ears, dizziness, compression of the head etc. and he said all these side effects are expected after the surgery. Anyway, he will arrange for me to see an ENT Doctor to ensure that no fluids got in the ears in during the operation.

So nice of Asia Kho to have called, all the way from Hong Kong, to wish me well. Thank a lot Asia!

The nurse came to change my dressing and I managed to get her to snap a picture of the incision area. Wow, it was a long one, which looks like a centipede with the stapler on it!

Fellow HFSA members Judy and Joanne came to visit at night. Much later, Frances Ng visited also! So nice of all HFSA members in Singapore, I would not have come so far without your support and concern. Bravo!

 

October 17, 2009 – Day 4 Post-Op:

Ready to be discharged. Since the surgery, until discharge, no sign of twitching at all. My hubby and friends commented my right eye is bigger and looks so much prettier now.

 

October 26, 2009 – 2 Weeks Post-Op:

My next review with Dr. Thomas is scheduled on November 9, 2009. Still no sign of twitching, the headache and giddiness is getting better and better. I consider myself “SPASM FREE” and wish that this spasm free status will be with me for life.

My operation was considered a straight-forward one with no complications. I'm glad that I made this decision and have never regretted it!


Permission granted the HFSA to post MVD Diary on website.
Jenny Low, November 6, 2009

 

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