CHAPTER 3

2024-12-8

From admission to discharge, I was hospitalized for a total of eighteen days, including three days in ICU. After that I was transferred to the Ward of Solid Organ Transplant to receive further treatment under close supervision. I was discharged right on Eve to celebrate Christmas at home.

I was very weak and confused during the first thirty plus hours after the surgery. It was my wife who briefed me what happened by then. She told my specialist of my high fever during his first visit. He checked the urine container and was very satisfied. “It is normal to have fever fever. Don't worry. He’ll be okay.” Later we understood that my kidney functioned properly.

THE THREE DAYS IN ICU

My body was covered with tubes and surrounded by equipments. Six needles were pinned to the right side of my neck connecting to my back for pain monitoring. Other tubes on both arms were used for blood transfusion, fluid and medication inputs. Besides the urine container, two fluid suckers were attached to the lower abdomen to release fluid. Air pumps were wrapped around both legs to facilitate blood circulation. Vital signs monitor, tubes for oxygen supply, and mucus release…I can't recall every item.

In ICU, every patient is closely cared for by two nurses every twelve hours. Other than significant others, no visitor is allowed. Other than providing professional care, nurses always write reports under dim light at the computer stations.

The transplant took six hours. Plenty of sterile gauze was used to cover the opening instead of stitches. It is a standard measure for emergency follow up if another operation is needed. I was returned to the operation ward for stitches the next day for good progress after a day of close observation by the medical team.

A BEAUTIFUL CUT

On the following day, another team checked my progress. Once they looked at my cuts, “This must be the work by Doctor So N So” a delightful praise reached my ears. It was the same talented surgeon who removed my liver tumor seven years ago. There were only very few specialists who could master such an operation in the province. It is like the gung-fu master who knows who did what by examining the slash.

It was a very good start for the long journey of recovery.