Whatta way to start the year. According to the Chinese Solar Calendar, the first year of the Rat begun on the 4th February 2008 and this was exactly the date all things went astray for me.
Bringing the unknown infection from BICOL back to Manila, it was quietly strange that my legs were numb all the time. I didn’t question it until the day of my return flight back to Malaysia where it really got stiff and painful. Tried seeking medical advice in the Philippines but time wasn’t on my side. Returned home, sought consultation from 2 different GPs before a final referral to a specialist. Even that, I had to seek a 2nd opinion with my own physician in KL because the situation was getting out of hand with no doctors around really knew what was wrong with my leg and how it could swell up like that. Finally, 2 days after CNY and also loads of antibiotics prescribed for me which didn’t work, the specialist had to throw in the towel and I was admitted into the hospital for observation… the very first time in my life. Blood tests came back and report showed I had a lesser count of red blood cells which wasn’t normal. This could be the case when an infection has taken place with which, doctors have assessed the situation to be called ‘Cellulities’ which I have absolutely no idea of… accordingly, the inflammation and damage of the soft tissues.
Bringing the unknown infection from BICOL back to Manila, it was quietly strange that my legs were numb all the time. I didn’t question it until the day of my return flight back to Malaysia where it really got stiff and painful. Tried seeking medical advice in the Philippines but time wasn’t on my side. Returned home, sought consultation from 2 different GPs before a final referral to a specialist. Even that, I had to seek a 2nd opinion with my own physician in KL because the situation was getting out of hand with no doctors around really knew what was wrong with my leg and how it could swell up like that. Finally, 2 days after CNY and also loads of antibiotics prescribed for me which didn’t work, the specialist had to throw in the towel and I was admitted into the hospital for observation… the very first time in my life. Blood tests came back and report showed I had a lesser count of red blood cells which wasn’t normal. This could be the case when an infection has taken place with which, doctors have assessed the situation to be called ‘Cellulities’ which I have absolutely no idea of… accordingly, the inflammation and damage of the soft tissues.
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. It often begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut or scratch, when bacteria invade and spread, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Cellulitis also can form in areas of intact skin, especially in people who have diabetes or who are taking medicines that suppress the immune system. This kind of cellulitis is treated with antibiotics and close follow-up. If untreated, it can progress to a more serious infection that affects vision. They begin typically as a small, inflamed area of pain, swelling, warmth, and redness on the skin. Cellulitis is not contagious.
State of Leg: (L) Right leg on 6th February 2008
(R) Left Leg on 7th February 2008
Both right legs on 7th February 2008
Swollen right leg on the 8th February 2008 which prompted immediate attention the following day on the 9th February 2008 as I had difficulties trying to walk already
And so here I am, admitted on the 9th February 2008 and sitted in Bed 109A, waiting for time to pass by.
Auspicious as it is, I was finally admitted into the hospital on the 3rd day of CNY, 9th February 2008, Room 9, c/o Dr Raveen, Orthopedics.
Admission card and room view (#9) in Ward 1 C @ Fatimah Hospital. Personalized TV, en suite shower, personalized elevated coffee table, study table, complimentary breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner, injections, medication, morning wake up call at 5am for first jab,... what else can you ask for?
I had to bring along my laptop, dont ask why if you know me. With an IV stuck to my hand, my left hand movement was partially restricted, what more with both my legs elevated to keep the blood circulation moving.
Ouch... Needless to explain... it was a daily affair.
After nights in the hospital, the swelling was reduced thanks to 7 painstaking antibiotic jabs, countless tabs, etc. However, the cause is still unknown and the infected area was still reddish, meaning, not completely healed.
I apologize for not informing anyone regarding this and only to those who called me knew exactly what had happened. Its Chinese New Year after all and its not so nice hearing this kind of things. With a needle stuck to my hand and both feet on an elevated position, its hard to think about something that I can really do except for staring at the tv, read books or papers, or to work on certain things on my laptop. My other appointments had to be cancelled including my flight, meetings, etc. I am left with no choice. It sucks to be immobilized like that although I can see a reasoning why the doctor called for it, its just strange for me because I am always on the go. Even having no internet access in the hospital sucks big time as I couldn’t check my mails and my project status. Its more frustrating as ever as I depend solely on my mobile and sms-es. Oh well… what can I do… this is how it is when your entire life gets truncated from the outside world…
Which brings me to my uncle and aunty who once invited me to meditate in Australia in a monastery for 30 days without newspaper, mobile phones, visitors, and anything related to the physics of life except for getting up at 5am, meditate, sweep the floor, eat, meditate again, eat, relax, ease up, meditate, and sleep on wooden canvases. Meaning, totally and absolutely cut off from the outside world and when you meditate, nothing and absolutely nothing must be running in your mind except the nothingness that you feel. So, try this, take 1 minute, close your eyes, cross your legs or in whatever position is best for you, and think of absolutely nothing, do nothing and just control your breathing. See if you can even control the slightest of nothingness or not. I failed miserably after 30 seconds. It was too odd, strange, cold and immediately I was engulfed with a million things to do instantly.
Hence, meditation is not easy. It’s discipline and control. I have yet to achieve that...
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