Post-operation in
Thailand
Monday, 12 March: after the Thai doctor Dr Yot saw my
father, he said the words we wanted to hear. Finally he agreed that Dad was fit
to fly home on a Thai Airways plane.
Dr Yot also mentioned two other things: firstly, Dad was
recovering well from his operation (seeing the x-ray of Dad's neck was an
amazing sight. He now has titanium metal and bolts inside his neck, along with
wire mesh… I am in awe of the medical technologies available these days!).
Secondly, Dad still has a lot of secretion build-up in his
chest – this is very common for bed-ridden patients and, worryingly, it can
lead to infection and pneumonia.
That night was one of the longest of our lives. Dad had a
fever. His temperature fluctuated between 37.7 and 39.8 °C. Usually Tauseef and
I took shifts to watch over Dad as he finds it difficult to sleep. But that
night we were both so worried: the two of us shared the watch.
(Dad was given Tylenol for the fever which lasted through
the night. He’s still taking this today.)
Another sleepless night followed. We tried to get Dad's
temperature down with a wet cloth. Again, secretion build-up occurred in his
chest. Unfortunately the nurses were not able to extract this using suction,
whereby they place a long sterile tube through either the nose or the mouth
down the windpipe to suck out/extract the secretion (mucus). Obviously this
build-up makes the act of breathing really uncomfortable.
Dad was placed on various antibiotics and medicines to help
cough up the secretion and kill the infection. He was seen by Respiratory,
Internal Medicines and Infectious Diseases doctors. All took daily X-rays and samples
for laboratory work. In the meantime, they needed constantly extract the extra
secretion. Dad hated this. It pained me to see him go through the procedure – I
was convinced that not all of the nurses were experienced enough to perform
this without further adding to his discomfort.
(Although most were great, some of the nurses at Bumrungrad
Hospital could have been a little more helpful and experienced. I write this
because there is still a fair contrast between our nurses here at home and the
nurses who cared for Dad overseas.)
Getting Dad out
The next few days were crucial. We needed him to be well enough
to fly. The doctors changed his antibiotics, a decision that proved to work. We
were told that his ‘fit to fly’ form was now approved, but that we could not
leave until the weekend. Initially I was informed that we could be on our way
on Thursday or Friday of last week, but the hospital was looking at Saturday or
Sunday. We pushed to be able allowed to go as early as possible.
Once we had confirmed flights, we organised for my brother
to fly out the day beforehand to make sure everything was good with the
ambulance service and Prince of Wales Hospital back in Sydney, where Dad would
be received immediately. We wished we could have all landed together, but this
was not to be.
With long days and even longer nights still routine, I was
concerned about looking after Dad alone through the night. All this time my
brother, my dad and myself have been working through this; and now I was
counting down the hours until morning without my brother beside me.
Visit from Christine
Last Thursday not only marked our last day in Bangkok, it
was also the day that a familiar face came to visit, that of Blackmores’ CEO,
Christine Holgate. Her visit was one of support and it provided a connection to
all my friends and colleagues — not only back home, but also within the
company’s international offices. We are truly are a Blackmores family: the
support my brother and I have received from not only from friends, family and
new friends – but from our employers, Blackmores and Sunrice — has been amazing
and wonderful.
This has included everything from allowing us to have the
time off, to communication with senior management, to company fundraising and
donations. My brother and I thank you all so much.
Final hurdles in
Thailand
There was one last twist. Four hours before leaving, my dad
had a chest x-ray and, once again (!!) we were told, “Your father’s not fit to
fly.” I went into a tailspin. I was so confused and felt unsure if we would
EVER get home. Dad’s chest was still a concern, so this x-ray was not taken
lightly.
Less than an hour later, we crossed paths with the transport
doctors. They were adamant that we were leaving at 5pm. Dad would be
transferred to Prince of Wales, and that was that. All I could do was hug the bearer
of this news, Dr Sommart.
In the air
The flight was not all that smooth. My father was cold and
not breathing comfortably: he required constant oxygen and, again, secretion extraction
was performed four to five times. I spent the first two hours by his side, but
eventually I was so exhausted that I fell asleep and did not wake up again
until we landed.
Touchdown in Sydney
Dad was okay. He made it. We made it. I was given an express
pass for customs and my father was straight away taken to Prince of Wales via
an ambulance that met him on the tarmac.
I bid farewell to Dr Sommart and Nurse Pom, and was picked
up by my brother at the arrivals gate.
We hurriedly rushed to the hospital where my father was
admitted to Emergency and then to the ICU. The difference in health services here
and in Asia is quite incredible (and I now believe even more strongly in the
value of properly funding our health system).
Finally! We are home!
The ICU will keep Dad under observation for a few days to
run through all the hospital procedures, scans and tests. He currently has one-to-one
care and over the weekend, we’ll get a better idea of what treatment is
needed for his chest.
It's so good to be home!!
Love Tan.
