Friday, 4 October 2013

Check Up!!

I had to visit the hospital again yesterday for a follow up check up. Mainly, for another blood test as the two other tests they did when I was admitted was not complete. Some reagents were not available it seems.

So, my wife and I arrived at the hospital. We went up the the registration counter and showed them my letter from the doctor. Obviously, they had no idea what the letter was for so I had to explain that I was asked to come for a check up. She asks for my IC and after paying RM1, she gives me my number and asks me to wait. Just like that.


Okay.. so I am number 1049... they are currently at 1024. The waiting area is freezing. Fully air-conditioned. My wife needed to go to the washroom so I accompanied her there. After her washroom visit we went back to the waiting area but decided to sit outside as it was freezing inside. We sat where we could see the number display.

After waiting awhile I met the co-owner of Tenggol Island who was there for a check up as well. Some chit-chat and off he went to register. After several moments, he reappeared with his blood samples and informed that he was sending his blood sample to the lab and wait for the results there.

At that moment I noticed something was wrong. I observed closely inside... there were two desks where they did preliminary checks. Blood pressure, temperature, etc. They were only at 1031 then but I decided to go inside instead as something was definitely amiss. After sitting for a couple of minutes, I hear the nurse call out names and they would move to the desks.

I walk over and ask the nurse if she had called my name... haaa.. she did... she asks me to sit down and looks through the registration card and letters and asked what I was there for. The problem with the documentation on hand it did not specify what I was supposed to go through. It had a brief history of my admission and what they did bit nothing specific on what needs to be done on this visit. I explained to the nurse that I was supposed to have a blood test. She looks through my card again makes a decision... blood test and ECG she informs. She takes my blood pressure as well then explains clearly what I needed to do.

I went to room number 5, the ‘blood test and check up’ room and handed my forms. There were two ladies there waiting. Inside they were trying to get some blood from a child. Probably 2 or 3 years old so you can imagine the ruckus inside. While waiting, I read the notices plastered all over the door and wall. One of the signs stated that blood tests would be give priority over check ups. The nurse pokes his head out and asks me if I was still fasting. Yes, I am... and I am about to faint soon... it’s almost 11am... hahaha. Soon the child came out and my name was called. As I walked in, the two ladies state their discontentment to the male nurse as they arrived first. Sigh... you should have read the signs. Blood taken, they hand the samples back to me and tell me to send it to the pathology lab and wait for the results which I knew as the nurse had explained to me earlier. I deliberately hold the sample in front of me as I walk out the room. The two ladies gave me a look. Like I care?

I send the samples to the pathology lab. They tell me to come back in an hour. It was 11:15am then. I then go back for my ECG test at room 8. Another child was in the room so it was quite a wait. My turn... the nurse asks me if I had chest pains. I said No... not now, only the other day. To which she replies, “Dah tak sakit baru nak datang?” Hmmm... was that necessary? Anyway, I politely informed her that this was a follow up check up.

After my ECG test, it was time to eat. I was famished. We made a quick run to a warung nearby where I quickly gobbled down a Roti John and a nice iced coffee... which cost RM5. We then made it back to the pathology lab at 12:15pm and after a couple of minutes my results were handed over. Back to the waiting area, hand my results to the nurse and wait for my turn.

Finally I am called into the room. The doctor asks... Ammar? 
Ya, saya (Yes, that’s me)... 
She looks at the card again and repeats her question... Ammar? 
Ya, saya... I replied again...
Another look at the card and... Ammar Kevin? Umur 42?
Ya, saya...
Tak nampak cam 42... nampak muda lagi.
Thank you for the compliment. : )

She too didn’t know what I was there for so I had to go through the whole nine yards... explaining what happened on Sunday, the history of my high cholesterol, etc. 
My overall cholesterol is now at 7.0.
LDL cholesterol at 5.8
Blood sugar is normal she says which I think I saw was at 5.2.
Liver ok.
Heart ok.
ECG ok.

Looks like the only improvement is in my blood glucose. Last year's results here.

She sets my next check up for 30 October. 

By the time I left, it was almost 1pm. A full 3 hours and 15 minutes at the hospital for a check up.









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