Post Colonoscopy

Rest and Recuperation:

I parked for free at a location near CGH and managed the short walk to the Colonoscopy Centre, much against medical advice ... but then, I didn't experience any ill-effects after I purged my digestive system.

Is it competition in the health sector, or is it their Mission and Vision statements, or is it a genuine desire to serve, or is it all of the above? It's certainly not my imagination. But right from the reception counter till my discharge, every each one of the staff, be it medical, administrative or support staff was courteous, helpful, relaxed and supportive. I must say that CGH has charmed me; I've had several medical procedures performed here over several years.

The nurses tagged me and took my blood pressure after verifying my identity. They asked for my valuables and these were appropriately recorded and kept under lock and key. I surrendered my wallet, car keys, IPOD and handphone. The rest of my belongings were kept in a locker in Observation Room 3. I was told to keep my t-shirt on but change into a blue 'sarong' to facilitate the procedure.

Dr Hu Pei Lin inserted a cannula into a vein at the back of my left palm and explained that the sedatives would be injected later.

I was wheeled to the Operation Theatre by a chatty and middle-aged Malay woman. I was told two specialists had performed 27 colonoscopy procedures that morning and I was among 6 patients - 1 failed to turn up - that afternoon. This confirmed what my specialist Dr Chen Chung Ming had pointed out to me: colorectal cancer cases are on the rise and colorectal cancer education has increased awareness and driven up the number of those being screened.

In OT at 1525hrs, there was a hive of activity with everyone knowing exactly what he or she had to do professionally. Dr Chen greeted me and his assistant injected two rounds of sedatives into the cannula. I was instructed to lie on my left with my right knee bent at 90 degrees. I surveyed the monitor and that was the last item logged in my vision.

I woke up in the Observation Room quite alert to the surroundings. The colonoscopy procedure must have taken just 20 minutes. I did not feel any ill-effects, quite unlike tthree previous occasions when I underwent the surgeon's knife after inhaling general anaesthetic.

I was given Milo and a sandwich after which I asked for a bowl of chicken porridge. I read The Straits Times and was later transferred to Ward 26, Bed 15 to fulfil my six hours of post surgery stay for my insurance claims. I was shown four photographs taken of my colon - the sigmoid, ascending, transverse and descending colons - thank God, they were clear with no polyps or other malignant growth. I celebrated with a $3.90 nasi-lemak at the eatery just opposite the A&E Dept and returned to my ward. Dr Hu Pei Lin signed my discharge papers and put me on MC till Friday.

I reached home at 2130hrs and had a soyabean drink while watching Nadal defeat Beck at Wimbledon.