Beginning to dread this....

And yet more tests and assessments....

Monday Blues

Another week of tests and assessments.

2nd Day of Transplant Work-Up

Had to be in hospital by 10am today. Another long day today, we were still so tired from yesterday's stuff.

First thing this morning was a Psychiatrist Assessment for both my hubby and me. We both spoke to this Senior Consultant (who also had a bunch of 4th year medics in his clinic), as opposed to our previous Psychiatric Assessment in Brunei, where we were questioned by this junior doctor who totally assessed us using the very basic 4th year psychiatric assessment questions (believe me, I know!), ie. name 3 fruit beginning with the letter b, name 3 pieces of s**t that is yellow....bla, bla, bla... what a load of BS man!!! (After the assessment we suddenly remembered that the dr. and I used to be in the same batch whist studying medicine in Scotland!!!) Jeezzz...! I could've done our own assessment! Haha!!! (Note sarcastic refrain).

Anyway, I digress. The consultant asked my hubby and I really basic stuff, some personal stuff (definitely nothing about 4 letters beginning with the colour bananas!! - bah adang tah!). He even got the students to ask us a few questions. Then, he asked me to leave so he could speak to my hubby alone. I pretty much guessed what he was gonna be asked anyway, just to get the ethical issue aside, ie. that my hubby is not donating his kidney for purely selfish reasons, such as personal or financial gain. Well, all in all, this assessment was one of the easiest, rather than having tests involving blood and needles ie. PAINFUL!!

Next on the itinerary, my hubby had to go for a Renal Angiogram http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/healthinfo/test/urology/TP077.asp (in Layman's terms; to view the blood vessels leading to his kidney). Unfortunately, this does involve needles and blood => PAIN! Kesian my hubby.... Fortunately, the procedure in Singapore was waaaaayyyyyy better than the traumatic experience he had in Brunei (which required he be admitted in hospital for 2 nights, and made us miss half the 1st day of raya, but worst part was that it was really painful).

Ok, so I've got to stop dissing our public health facilities, but hey, I'm just stating the facts here. Don't get me wrong, I, my husband and my family fully appreciate the opportunity and assistance our Government has given us for my New Lease on Life, without whom I would still have this extra appendage dangling from my abdomen, and I'd still be attaching myself to my 2litre bag of dialysis fluid 4x a day, for about an hour each session. But as always, I have to say Alhamdullilah! Everything comes from Allah.....

After lunch, we then had to meet up with the Director of Renal Transpalntation. She was really nice, and quickly put us at ease. We had a long consultation, she made sure we understood what was going to happen and was really thorough with her explanations of pre and post transplant.

Then, we had to meet up with the Medical Social Worker. Basically, this involves finding out about our background, ie. family, work, studies, financial status, hopes after transplant etc. Another easy session.

Last, we had to meet up with our surgeon, the man who basically holds our future in his hands. He explained that the operation would be feasible, although it would be a rather complicated one, as my hubby's kidney blood vessels had an early split, which means a more difficult transplant into my abdomen, but the surgeon assured us that it can be done.

Well, it was another load of info to absorb that day, we were looking forward to getting the weekend off. We both needed a break to recoup.

Welcome to Singapore!

Arrived Singapore around 1pm. Tried calling my Transplant Coordinator (Ms. Shawn Seah) at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) http://www.sgh.com.sg/, but I guess she was out for lunch. Since our appointment was at 2 pm, decided to go straight to the hospital with my other half (literally! soon) and my dad-in-law, whilst my parents went to check in at Royal Plaza.

Since there was the mix up with our arrival dates with the Brunei High Comm, there was only the driver to pick us up at Changi Airport, but got to SGH ok. Met Shawn - she's used to Bruneian patients, so went straight to the details of the transplant counselling. (Shawn is so hyper, reminds me of a cockroach who's been sprayed with Sheltox! Haha! But so are all the staff here. Guess we're just so used to the slow pace of public health workers in Brunei, everyone in Singapore seems to be running on double espressos or sumthin').

We were so tired, so much info to assimilate on the 1st day. I only managed to do my 2nd exchange at 4pm! I was 3 hrs overdue, and beginning to feel swollen. There were numerous tests to follow, blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, ECGs... bla, bla, bla....

We were all so knackered!!! I don't think we left the hospital until about 8pm! Imagine! (Mun di Brunei, maximum pun 5pm kali, everyone's gone).

My Kidney Transplant Journey

Ok! This is it! Finally going to Singapore tomorrow for my kidney transplant! After days, weeks, years of waiting, the moment is drawing near.

Actually I was totally NOT expecting this, after the trip got cancelled at the last minute. Was supposed to fly this morning actually, but... God knows what happened. Anyways, I was in the living room watching this Korean movie on DVD, and my mom came bursting in saying "Get packing! We're flying to S'pore tomorrow!" Omigawd!! Was shocked, I actually just laid there on the sofa for a full minute. Haven't even packed yet! Don't know what to bring! Gave up thinking and just continued watching the movie till end.

Finally got packing around 9pm. I think I was in a daze. I was mega excited, but also really nervous maaannnn....!!! Don't know how the hell I'm gonna get to sleep tonite... and the flight is like at 10 am. Bismillahitawakkal......

(I've been surfing the web for info on kidney transplants, here's one I had on my Favourites http://www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/site/contents.php