Just got back from the Bumrungrad International Hospital (Sukhumvit) to have my hand sutured. Accidentally cut the base of my left index finger with a meat cleaver this morning!Apart from profuse bleeding which I've never seen before live, I kept wondering why I was not feeling any pain --- except whenever the wound was inspected. Must have been my adrenaline running and/or the angels I asked God to send to heal my wound quickly! Hahaha :)
Past injuries must have taught me how to stay calm in situations like these. I was trying hard not to laugh when I found myself trying to calm down the reception staff, Khun Sarin, who went up to my apartment to check my wound. I asked her to sit down when I thought she was about to faint at the sight of blood gushing out and simply instructed her step-by-step what to do: clean my wound with antiseptic, cover with balls of cotton to absorb the blood, tape with plaster while I put pressure on it to stop the bleeding. She was to hail me a cab to bring me to the nearest English-speaking hospital while I dress up to leave (another challenge altogether!).
Suffice it to say, true to its reputation, the hospital I went to had a very able and efficient staff with
very good facilities. In between negotiations to cut down the number of stitches and whether to suture with local anaesthesia or not, they managed to close up the wound with 7 stitches that can come off in 7 days. The doctor, Dr. Weerapat, was surprised when I asked if I could watch him suture my wound since the affected area was already feeling numb at that point (I actually felt the first few stitches). I've always wanted to know how that looks like in real life. I don't know why he asked me if I was a doctor. I sat up and watched but he stopped sewing onto my skin then he just gently asked me to lie down. Fine. I wonder why he didn't let me watch. One of my doctors before, Dr. Wang, didn't mind if I watched him take out the stitches from my knee (when I had my ACL surgery). Maybe because Dr. Wang knew me well enough not to get queasy over these things.Nevertheless, regardless of nationality, I felt again the same almost awe-struck gratefulness to my doctor and the medical staff who attended to my wound as I've always felt towards others in the past.
Most people I know hate the smell of hospitals because it reminds them of death, suffering and despair. I don't know why I've always liked the smell of hospitals. Maybe because it reminds me of healing, renewal and hope.
Thank God for doctors!
4 comments:
This is precisely the reason why I haven't learned how to cook. It's too dangerous! Haha. Heal well, Patty. (Jika)
Hahaha! Yes, it can be a safety issue with a reckless cook!
"I don't know why I've always liked the smell of hospitals. Maybe because it reminds me of healing, renewal and hope."
Hi! And "hay!" Really such a rare person to look at hospitals this way! Thanks for the reminder that all hope should NOT be lost when it comes to hospitals :)
The post struck me as I stayed in the Sukhumvit area when I went to Bangkok 2 years ago! We stayed at my boyfriend's tito's place at Soi...er...I forgot na pala ;) Anyway, just wanted to drop a note and say hi. Intriguing times in the office! How I wish we can meet up and talk all about it! -INA
Thanks, Ina. Intriguing times? Drop me an email. You've personal mail naman di ba?
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