Chapter 4: Pretty Nasty

Sunday oh Sunday. If we were at home, we would have probably gone to TESCO for our groceries shopping. Then I would have cooked something special for the weekend. And enjoy whatever is on TV or play a DVD. Or perhaps, we would have gone to Li and Hila's house in London as initially planned.

Kita hanya mampu merancang.

It wasn't all bad staying at the hospital. It was like a mini vacation. But all the 5 stars hotels were all fully booked, and we were only left with this YMCA hostel where you have to share the facilities. In fact I think hospital is even better than hostels. There are friendly nurses and staff. The sheets are changed everyday. The floor is swept and mopped every morning. The surfaces are wiped too. Free power jet spray shower. You are served breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner at regular hours. (Tapi kita selalu missed the meals) and you can draw the curtains at night for privacy.

Sunday oh Sunday. When a nurse (was it Louise or Lucy? They look alike) changed our sheets, she said that, the doctor might let Amar go home that day. She was friendly and always in a good mood. (All the nurses are always in good moods!) I even forgot that we were 'foreigners' but we were treated the same. I did not feel discriminated, not even one bit.

Amar could go home! What a news. But I still spared a doubt in my heart because I remember Mr Gaffy said on Friday that they wanted to monitor Amar for 48 hours and only consider to discharge on Monday.

Throughout the day, a lot of nurses with their sing-song voices said the same. That they hoped that Amar would get a green light to go home. I felt positive and told Babah that Amar might be discharged after a review by a doctor.

Amar found the bandage annoying. He bit the bandage and unwrapped the bandage himself. He also pulled off the cotton wool beneath the bandage. I told a nurse, and she changed Amar's bandage. And she suggested a tubular type bandage and wrapped twice on Amar's hand that looked like a sock. (see photo above)

I saw Amar's wound, -hmmm-

Being a squeamish person, I am afraid if I exaggerate the wound. But the lesion looked sore and red. There was no skin around the swelling area. (see chapter 1, the swelling finger photo). On the tip of the finger, there was a net typed piece of cloth covering the fingernail with dried blood and yellowy dried liquid.

Amar gave an ear splitting loud cry! I was not sure if it was painful for him or because he was held tightly again. It could be both. When the dressing was done, Amar quietened down immediately.

Near afternoon time, Mr Ho, a Surgeon came in our ward to see another patient who was due for a procedure. After he has seen the other patient, the nurse asked him in a hushed tone if Amar could go home. The surgeon answered in a loud voice that I could hear across the room,

"Oh, the baby. No, it was pretty nasty(he touched his middle finger). We'll see tomorrow." He left.

The nurse came to break the news I already knew.

"I'm sorry poppet, I tried." She said to Amar and gave a sorry face.


I gave a sorry call to Babah. So, he came with Sarah to visit us again. I didn't think Sarah or Amar mind at all. They got to play at the play area. There were lots of quality toys and books. They were clean. And for the past few days, only Sarah and Amar used the play area. Other patients were too old to be playing there.

Sunday oh Sunday. There were lots of visitors that day. Babah and Sarah were our loyal visitors.

The boy who broke his fingers in the trolley accident has just completed his procedure. He was asleep. But the boy who was 'crushed' by a car tried to wake him up, so that he has a company to play PS2 game with him. There were also some patients being discharged on Sunday. All in cast. But that did not stop their parents from gleaming.

The 15 year old girl had 2 boys as visitors. One wearing a cap, and the other had a hood over his head. But both looked downwards whenever I passed by.

Babah and Sarah went home early on Sunday. Sarah was crying a little bit loud. We both knew she was tired and sleepy.



Both Amar and I got bored so I put on Monsters Inc DVD. I think Amar was quite well known in the hospital for liking Monsters Inc a little bit too much.

Two more patients came in.
A girl around 10 years old was admitted and a young lad, with a broken leg. He had the most visitors of the lot! Other than mak bapak, there were his Tok, nenek, pak cik, mak cik, brothers and sisters, and cousins, and probably friends too? His cubicle was just swarmed with people of all age.

Then only I thought of something, I should have told the Malay postgrads in Coventry. At least, they could help to prepare some food for Babah and Sarah while I was away with Amar. They are good community. How could I have forgotten to let them know?

I wanted to call Kak Has, but thought that we might return home the next day. So I didn't call her.

I couldn't wait for the next day. So I was quite pleased to see the sun setting in. Before we went to sleep, the boy who broke his fingers was released! He has just had his operation earlier in the afternoon and was given the green light to go home. How unfair!

The two nurses who were on duty that night gave Amar his dose of antibiotics, took his temperature and pulse. One of them made a squeeky sound steps when she walked. It was probably the rubber soles against the concrete floor. Then, Amar was ready to sleep. I drew the curtain around our beds. I charged my mobile and hid it under the sheets on my bed.

Amar went to sleep almost straight away. I fell asleep too.

That night, Amar was quite restless. He didn't toss and turn. He was just merengek, like he always did at home if he was annoyed when someone disturb his sleep. I thought I must have accidentally rolled on his bandaged hand.

Throughout the night, Amar gave this 'mengerang' type cry. Sometimes, I thought it sounded like a dog growling. He was better the night after operation. I just tried to give him assurance that I was with him.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Amar gave his short cry again. I woke up feeling quite cold. I noticed our blanket has fallen off for the first time after so many nights in the hospital. So it might be Amar was feeling cold too. So I draw the blanket around us again.

I've also heard that the nurses were quite busy that night as I hear footsteps walking up and down the ward.

My only feeling at that time was, it was going to be our last night at the hospital. And hopefully we will have the 'luxury' and privacy back soon.

Sunday oh Sunday.
I missed my American Idol...