HOSPITALIZED AT LAST - MY JOURNEY THROUGH ILLNESS AND RECOVERY

I was hospitalized for 5 days, and I have mixed feelings about it. The first 2 days seemed fun. Everything was done for me. I had a personal cook, my own bed, a private room with AC, and nurses who constantly kept me company and were always at my service. Visitors came in and out, bringing homemade food and reminding me to take my pills. I felt special and enjoyed the attention. At that point, I was having a good time.

However, on the third day, everything changed. I had a severe reaction to my medication. My gut felt off, my heart raced, and I struggled to breathe. My vision blurred, and I felt disoriented. I quickly lost consciousness and woke up feeling sore. That was when I wanted to go home. I was extremely sick; my face reflected my condition. I was dehydrated and pale, unable to move or eat. Fortunately, my husband was with me the whole time. He took two days off work to stay at the hospital with me.

In just 5 days, I underwent a CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, and oxygen therapy. I was put on an IV drip, receiving 14 bags of saline to hydrate my body. My medication was administered both through the IV and in pill form. The night I was admitted, I had a fever above 40°C. For the first 4 days, I experienced severe shaking at night, almost like epilepsy but it was due to the fever. The doctor started me on antibiotics immediately. The nurses drew my blood countless times, day and night. They monitored my blood pressure every 3-4 hours and attached a wire to my chest to check my heart rhythms. They injected a special solution into my bloodstream to ensure my internal organs were functioning well. It was my first time undergoing such extensive tests. It was scary but also interesting. Call me crazy, but I was excited about those tests.

The hospital served fancy food, and I had the privilege of choosing my meals. However, I didn't eat much. My husband finished most of the meals for me. I had no appetite and felt weak, spending most of my time sleeping. My room had a private toilet and a water heater, so showering once a day wasn't too bad. I had a TV with an iMAX channel, and my husband and I spent most nights watching movies together. Those moments were precious.

KPJ is now my go-to hospital. I appreciate their professionalism and the cleanliness of their work. This was my first experience with KPJ, and it didn’t disappoint. Compared to other private hospitals I've visited, KPJ's bills weren't too expensive, likely because I didn’t undergo any surgery. My ward was on the third floor, old wing, on the same level as the ICU. Even their hallways were decorated nicely, full of colors. Although the waiting area wasn't cute, it was still a pleasant environment.

Before going to the private hospital, I was first admitted to a government hospital. Even before that, I visited countless clinics for injections to help with my pain. Unfortunately, none of it helped, and I had the worst experience ever. The pain was unbearable. I cried many times. The service and the way doctors and nurses treated patients at the government hospital were unacceptable. I went there because I was told the government emergency response was faster and better, but that wasn’t the case. I felt pity for myself and others who were treated poorly. There's no reason to be rude to nice people. I acted professionally, but still, the doctors were dismissive. I understand that being a doctor or nurse is challenging, but their exhaustion does not justify their actions. Your primary purpose as a healthcare provider is to care for your patients. If you fail at that, how can we trust you?

Getting transferred to a private hospital was the best decision I made. I spent half a day waiting for doctors to check on me. They didn't let me discharge or examine my condition further. I was in pain and made sure they knew it. Their response was merely, "We know." I was speechless and frustrated. My frustration wasn’t out of pure ego; it was a rational response to being ignored.

Sharing this story is a reminder of how fragile our bodies are, how quickly our lives can change, and how different we can be when we're sick. Being hospitalized became a core memory for me. It taught me about love and support. I received immense support from my husband, family, friends, and colleagues. Everyone was concerned about my health, and I received countless phone calls, prayers, and visits to make me feel better. I cherish and appreciate all the love and effort from everyone. Alhamdulillah, all glory to God, for bringing me back from that condition. Thanks to God for blessing me with people who love me unconditionally. There's no word to describe how grateful I am.

Remember to appreciate life, be kind to others, stay healthy, and love as much as you can, for love has no boundaries. 💖