I spent my post-op weeks at Calla Hotel. This low-budget hotel is located at SS2 area. It is small yet very comfy for me. There are a lot of food stalls and morning market right behind the hotel. Also, it is about 10 minutes away from UMSC so that I didn't take long on the way. It was not really comfortable to sit on the car after ops since I was sensitive to every bump. Prof. Kwan gave me some painkillers as I was going to experience pain during my discharge. Yes, I did. First, I thought that I would try my best not to consume the painkillers. However, I was wrong. With the pain, I wasn't able to be active. I would be sleeping all day, which was not good for my spine. I had to walk more. I have to admit that I did consume the painkillers. Before going to bed, I had to consume another painkiller again because I couldn't sleep due to the pain. I always have my mom to help me taking a bath and getting up from bed.
Ah ya, this 2 weeks post-op had a challenge. I had to defecate before my 2 weeks post-op consultation or not I had to use the medicine to help me. It was frustrating. I really don't like that medicine. I did drink a lot and eat a lot of fruit. It was somehow funny because it was the first time in my life I felt so suffocating just for defecating. I really put all effort and took it as challenge. Lol. Right 2 days before the consultation, I succeed. Phew~
During my stay at Calla, I only walked around the room any lobby. I only could walk for 15 minutes the longest. I didn't give myself pressure. I walked around until I was tired and then went back to my bed. I tried my best not to lie down for long since I had gastric problem. So I entertained myself with sitting upright and watching K-Drama. The WiFi at Calla was good enough to stream online. It helped me to stay awake rather than lie down on bed. Thanks to my mom who always keep me accompanied. She kept buying food for me as she was afraid to see me getting thinner ^^'. I was 44kg after the ops. I looked taller and thinner at the same time. Thin, or maybe skeletal. About clothes, I only wore my pajamas the whole week. Near the Calla, you would find laundry. Calla's staff helped us to take care the laundry.
On 2nd Sept, we went back to hospital to have that 2 weeks post-op follow up. Prof. Kwan and Prof. Chris changed my bandage. They checked my scar and thankfully it was good. They allowed us to go back to Medan. I was told what to do at home. No food restriction. No more medicine except the leftover painkillers and blood supplement. I was very happy. Saying good bye to Prof(s) and Ci Shierly. The next day, we had our flight to Medan. I requested wheelchair service for me. The wheelchair service is only available one hour before the flight so we have to wait at the lobby until that. Waiting at airport was not as painful as I thought. It was only a bit uncomfortable.
My sister fetched me at Medan airport and teased me for my skeletal look. It took about 1 hour to reach my home. Yes it was uncomfortable to have long ride but there was no significant pain. The first thing I found after arrived home was my bed. Ohmygod, how I missed my own room. How I missed the breeze of the fan T.T All you had in KL was air conditioner and it was very cold. As my sister helped me to change clothes and lie on my bed, I was beyond happy to cuddle on my bed. Home sweet home.
2 months post-op
It was nice to be home. I felt guilty being passive at home. I didn't feel bored at all since I have been always the girl who enjoys time at home. I was not lonely because Mom was always there for me. No matter how busy she was, she was there. My friends and family visited me and they brought me food. Yes, that was the best thing. Food. Hahaha. Just kidding. It was nice to see them after a while. Telling them my pre-ops surgery experience. My sleeping schedule was not regular. I only could sleep for 2-3 hours for the first month. It might be due to my passivity. One month after, I could sleep for 4-5 hours. I often woke up at midnight and felt hungry. I have to admit that I ate a lot once I was home. I even could not count how many times I ate a day. When I was awake at midnight, I would walk around my house while listening to music. Whenever Mom saw me awake, she would ask me whether I was hungry. Haha. I wonder if I looked like starving ghost. Her pale thin daughter walking around the house.
A few weeks post-op, I joined my mom to buy groceries in the morning at our neighborhood market. It was very nice to meet and greet my neighbors. They were also happy to see the new me. Asking me and Mom about how the surgery went. It was funny how everytime we stopped at one store, the sellers would ask and we had to spend minimum 15 minutes to retell the story. Our 30-minutes-at-market plan turned to be 1 hour due to the chit chat. Lol. Mom complained that she regretted bringing me to the market as she was tired to retell the story many times. She said that she was tired but she always answered more than what she was asked. ^^'
After that market, I never went out any more. I was not allowed to walk on stairs so often. If I did have to walk on stairs, I had to maintain my back straight. I even couldn't pick up things on the floor by myself. Whether I used my legs or I asked for help. Sneezing and coughing still gave me pain. I only could carry things not more than 3 kg. Do not slip down, do not bend and twist, do not sweat, and so on. There were a lot of rules during my 2 months post-op. I didn't step out from my house for 2 months. After 2 months, I joined my Mom to supermarket for the first time. I was very happy. Seeing how things changed in my city. (Sorry I exaggerated, but I was just very very happy.)
