My short trip to the resort

Dear BAL Diary,

One day after receiving all the visits/calls with care, love, and in-your-face laughes, there has been no words to describe my gratitude towards my dear friends, family, loved ones, and beaches. With all these encouragements, I’ll be ready to cope with the long six weeks ahead.

First news on Monday morning

Coming home with a pink cast on Saturday night, I was confident with my ability to self-recover. “A cast is enough” – said my therapist.

But the doctor who later checked on my profile did not share the same thought.

“Hei Khanh, it seems that your ankle is not as stable as we expected. An operation would help you to recover quicker.” was all she said.

An appointment at 7am, tuesday was set. The good thing was that this update came early, so I’d save time to recover. Plus, such appointment prevented me from all the unecessary rushes, and I could prepare well to move-in to the hospital.

This beach Keys came to support me the night before moving in hospital

So, according to a dear friend who also had a surgery just two months before I did, afterward, she had to spend almost 4 days in hospital to recover + all mandatory check-ups. I took this advice, and prepare a full backpack with all the equipments needed to a long stay:

  • My laptop, phone, Kindle (loaded with a new series of book I’d be spending days to read through)
  • Deodorant is enough: the hospital will provide me with towel, soap, toothbrush etc.
  • Rubik cube, and Salmiakki

And I was ready.

Tuesday, 24th March 2020

Mikko took me back to K building, central hospital.

Since I was not allowed to eat/drink anything prior to operation, we decided to do it early. At 7am, I was the first patient to arrive
The procedure when fast and nice. You will have a QR-wristband, so the system and personnel can recognize your case, prevent to minimum any miscommunication
I was then being tested for blood type, body condition, inserted with this tube to insert liquids.

Haven’t met each other for almost a month, me and Mikko spent most of the waiting time chatting on and on about life: how was it in the States, and what were our future plans during this pandemic. Mikko planned to come home, which is far away from Lappeenranta. I would miss him and wish him the best – similar to all my friends who chose to come back home.

Me? I’d be good here; it’s my home anyway.

The doctors arrived at 9 and informed us, that since the hospital is low in capacity, and because my physical condition is so good, they would do the operations for the more serious cases.

In other words, I would be likely to wait until the evening or even the day after.

I was sad, but being selfish was not a good option neither. So we agreed to move in my patient room and wait for my turn.

My room

I was delivered to room 5, 3rd floor, K building.

And mama mia.

My master window pointed out to the Saimaa lake
I have all the coolest conditions possbile: TV, chargers, nearby-sink. The room was 10/10 clean and smell good
Dry and clean toilet

Many of my friends would prefer not going to hospital. I respect them. But personally, if shit happens, I still prefer being here. To be taken care of, which doesn’t occur very often.

“Just ring the bell, and the nurse would come to help you” – they said. I haven’t used it yet, because so far they have done a great job, taking care of the patients.

Me and Mikko in my new room

The operation and what came after

I woke up.

Mikko has left – I remembered telling him to go home, as soon as we got to the room.

It was 12 in the afternoon. The lady came in, informed me that it was time for my surgery.

“So it was not late after all” – I thought cheerily, and get myself ready: put on a white pants and a sexy dress that looks exactly like this:

Then were we in the operation room. It was not my first time in such situation, so as usual, I would talk to the doctor and have fun, while the nurses installed all the wires and tapes on my hands, chest, and so on.

Then there came the gas. One breath, two breath…and I passed out.

4pm. I remembered by asking the nurse who was in charge.

I woke up dizzily as a post-operation patient should be, dazzling around. It felt weird and familiar at the same time, this situation.

An hour later, I was back in my room. There was no pain – which may has been prevented by strong painkillers. I then called my parents and girlfriend so they knew I was alright.

However, strong pills and anesthetic came with a cost: I lost appetizer and balance for the rest of the day. Just pure nausea and tiredness. Until now I still felt sorry that I asked for dinner but at the end the old nurse had to bring it away since I still couldn’t take the portion.

Some balancing liquid was pumped for me. Some more painkillers.

And I slept from time to time until the next day.

My vehicle to move around – mostly to the toilet and back. I was told to must not move by myself the first night, but I did it well anyway

The next morning

This morning was quite busy. I had a medical check-up, a therapy section in which he taught me how to move, and to do leg-exercise. Also, an X-ray was taken to ensure my operation’s result was going well, and then a new cast was made.

I chose red this time lol

And between these sections were books, online meetings, and food, lots of food.

My “breakfast on bed” with ham, rye breads, tomatoes, oatmeal porridge, coffee, juice, and painkiller – Panadol + Burana
Right now when I was writing this article, I was “supported” with coffee and pastry – just perfect for recreation time

Some thoughts before coming home

And once again, because my condition is so good, the doctors are agreed that I would be coming home within today – just one day after moving in the hospital.

I don’t know what to say. Part of me don’t feel like going home, as being in here means good sevice, comfortable facility, + all equipments are ready for me to work/study. On the other hands, it is at the same time relieved, as it would cost less, and it’s a prove that I’m healthy and able to take care of myself.

Regarding housechores, for the time being, I have managed to have some friends to look after me. But in the long run, of course that will be my responsiblity.

At this point, I feel blessed with all the amazing ones that have supported me, even though they were not obliged to. But also, I’m happy to see my effort in relationships blossoms the moment I need it the most. Be a good and dedicated person, because one day it would save your life.

Khanh Tr.