Damn. No Use Hospital Business Office called with bad news. After reviewing my financial situation, I was required to pay the full deposit upon admission. Hey! How could they expect me to cough up that sum within such short notice? Not that I couldn't, but it's still a shock! (Actually not so shocked lah, I was already mentally prepared to do so the moment I decided to consider the surgery) And they had already promised that I could pay a lower deposit :\
So in the end, they stuck to their promise, but I still had to pay the balance upon discharge. That's just postponing the shock by 1 week... so STUPID!
Should have gone for another holiday first and spend all my money! GAH!!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Straighten-A-Sotong Part XIII
Arranged to meet my RO during lunch time. In the morning, I told N about it. Coz it will be weird if the person next to you doesn't know? I asked her not to tell anybody as I didn't want the vineyard to get to my RO before me. Actually by telling N, I'm prepared for word to get out already lah haha.
My RO only found time after lunch. I made N go away so I didn't have to find a room :P Well, I'm very heartened to know that my RO's first reaction was to show concern for me instead of for work. Feel so 小人 now *guilty* I told her that I might be back in 3 months, but might extend depending on my condition.
Now to get in touch with HR to find out if I'm eligible for the extended medical leave and what to do before I leave.
My RO only found time after lunch. I made N go away so I didn't have to find a room :P Well, I'm very heartened to know that my RO's first reaction was to show concern for me instead of for work. Feel so 小人 now *guilty* I told her that I might be back in 3 months, but might extend depending on my condition.
Now to get in touch with HR to find out if I'm eligible for the extended medical leave and what to do before I leave.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Straighten-A-Sotong Part XII
The final consultation before the admission. I had to first take an X-ray, so I went straight to the Diagnostic Imaging. However, the staff there "checked" and said that I had to see the doctor first. Huh? Ok whatever. When I got to the Ortho clinic, they asked me if I had taken my X-ray. See, I told them! Pissed! And I was sent back to take X-ray. Now, I could never be in time for the doctor's appointment at 11.30am so now I would definitely have to spend lunchtime here. Waste of time! The food sucks somemore!
I think the radiographers all recognize me already lor. All those 高难度 and weird poses. I was supposed to stay and wait for the films, but it didn't register when they told me, so Father had to go back to get them. Had lunch at the Can Rigged Win's Kopitiam. Aiyah still tasted the same lor.
Dr L has gone to the spine clinic at Can Rigged Win. Nicer waiting area, gentler lighting. Got free coffee and tea at the water dispenser somemore. And its own toilet! But it was a ridiculously long wait. Easily 2hrs long. Finished so many stages of Angry Birds that I was worrying that I could run out of stages. It's not that he was putting all other patients before me. I think there were only 2 people before me, including the person who was already in there when I arrived? 1 hr per patient!
Finally, I was called in, but Dr L asked me to wait and went out to another room, where I overheard him trying to talk a patient into having surgery. Angry Birds again for me lor. Shit man, I really hated this wheelchair. Butt damn pain and the push handles were in my bones.
O yeah my turn for real now. Dr L commented that from my MRI, I was really straight when lying down, so hopefully, we wouldn't have to break so many bones. Yay! But means still got to break lah? I wonder what he meant by breaking bones *shivers*
Q&A time.
That's not the point, but nevermind.
I think I can live with not being able to pick things up.
And I will need to wear a back brace for 2 years.
And have to bring the X-rays for admission.
Dr L asked again for the surgeries I have had before.
I still remember how that doctor looked like, although I might not be able to recognize him now 10 years down the road. But I sure do still remember the pain. I still blame him for that.
The very busy Dr L has another appointment that he's already late for, so he offered a handshake (weird? I think we were more like superior-subordinate kind of relationship than a cooperative equal. You don't shake hands with your boss, do you? Unless he's your boss-to-be at the interview stage), said bye and left the clinic, leaving the MO handle the rest of the nitty gritty. The MO suggested that I come in on Sunday instead, as there might be no bed should I admit on Monday. What? Make me pay for 1 more day when they should reserve one for me? Ah ok whatever.
He received a call on his mobile. I think the nurse from A&E was calling him.
Gosh! A&E sounded like a dangerous place with HOs who didn't know what they were doing! FYI, HO a.k.a. the scary fresh grads that people speak of. Of course, not all HOs are like that, but this one really CMI. Good luck to that patient at A&E. I think my MO should really be there soon.
But he must be done with me first. I signed the consent, he did his part, gave me my MC and sent me to pre-admission counseling next door.
Today was really a day of waiting. Counseling also must wait. A lady entered, very slowly logged into the system and started fiddling around in such a way that you can tell she didn't know how to use it. She appeared to be looking for a certain functionality and when she found it, I think she didn't know how to work it. Keyed in some figures, went "eh?", started over... I almost wanted to volunteer my help just to make things go faster. Fortunately, she recognized that she needed help and went out to get it. Things went pretty smoothly afterwards. Got my new bill estimate, which, curiously, was still not far off the previous one despite the stay being 8 days shorter at 10 days. Just about $3000 less.
When I passed by the entrance of the clinic, I caught a glimpse of their list of specialists. Right on, or near the top was Dr J H.
O.
HEAD lor. Dr L's boss lor. Luckily I never complain about him hahaha.
I went to the Business Office to discuss the deposit. The same lady recognized me hohoho. Must be the horrendous bill size.
Good news! I could still pay $5000 deposit upon admission.
She noticed that the Medishield estimate was missing, so she advised me to go back to the clinic and inform the staff that Medishield estimates are mandatory now. Har... still must go back and pass message. My words got power meh? She should call the clinic for me. &*#*$(#
Went back to the clinic, waited somemore, passed the message and got a new printout. Finally I could go home.
Googled traction, but still didn't have a clear idea of what it is. What pull my head! Sounds like I will be hanged! Painful somemore! Help!
Tomorrow, time for the inevitable... hope things will go well.
I think the radiographers all recognize me already lor. All those 高难度 and weird poses. I was supposed to stay and wait for the films, but it didn't register when they told me, so Father had to go back to get them. Had lunch at the Can Rigged Win's Kopitiam. Aiyah still tasted the same lor.
Dr L has gone to the spine clinic at Can Rigged Win. Nicer waiting area, gentler lighting. Got free coffee and tea at the water dispenser somemore. And its own toilet! But it was a ridiculously long wait. Easily 2hrs long. Finished so many stages of Angry Birds that I was worrying that I could run out of stages. It's not that he was putting all other patients before me. I think there were only 2 people before me, including the person who was already in there when I arrived? 1 hr per patient!
Finally, I was called in, but Dr L asked me to wait and went out to another room, where I overheard him trying to talk a patient into having surgery. Angry Birds again for me lor. Shit man, I really hated this wheelchair. Butt damn pain and the push handles were in my bones.
O yeah my turn for real now. Dr L commented that from my MRI, I was really straight when lying down, so hopefully, we wouldn't have to break so many bones. Yay! But means still got to break lah? I wonder what he meant by breaking bones *shivers*
Q&A time.
Sotong: For about how days will I be in hospital?
Dr L: When did I ask you to come in?
Sotong: 1 week before.
Dr L: 1 week before? So many days? (you mean you don't remember??)
Sotong: Yeah! I was going to ask you if we really need 1 week. What are we going to do that is going to take 7 days?
Dr L: No need lah, I think you just come 3 days before.
Sotong: Great! (less boring!) And what would I be doing before the surgery?
Dr L: We will put you in traction, something that will pull your neck and feet and stretch your body, which some people find quite painful. We will see how well you tolerate it.
Sotong: :O
Sotong: :O
Sotong: About how long is my downtime? (can't believe I said *downtime*)
Dr L: Depends. (so 废) How many days of hospitalization leave do you have.
Sotong: About 60 days.
Dr L: You can take it all!
That's not the point, but nevermind.
Sotong: What exactly would be done during the surgery?
Dr L: From below the neck to (points a few vertebrae down) xxxyyyyzzz, from here to here, aaabbbbccc. (something about inserting screws to FIX the spine)
Sotong: Would I be able to bend my back after the surgery?
Dr L: Of course not. Your back has to be fixed to prevent further curvature.
Sotong: (shucks) So I will be all rigid?
Dr L: Yes, you will be very stiff.
Sotong: (sounds terrible lor!) Can I do this? This? (did a few movements)
Dr L: Yes you can still turn your head as only the bottom of the neck is affected. This is twisting of your trunk and doesn't require bending of the spine, so that is still possible. But bending to pick things from the floor cannot be done.
I think I can live with not being able to pick things up.
Dr L: From now till the surgery, do not take Chinese medicine.
Sotong: Huh? Ok...
And I will need to wear a back brace for 2 years.
And have to bring the X-rays for admission.
Dr L asked again for the surgeries I have had before.
Sotong: Scapulopexy.
Dr L: When was that?
Sotong: 10 over years ago... when I was 17... (Maths very poor, had to do a quick mental calculation) 12 years ago? (still not sure. Maths FAIL)
Dr L: By whom, do you remember?
Sotong: Er... J H I think.(Why do you need to know this?)
Dr L: Ok...
Dr L: When was that?
Sotong: 10 over years ago... when I was 17... (Maths very poor, had to do a quick mental calculation) 12 years ago? (still not sure. Maths FAIL)
Dr L: By whom, do you remember?
Sotong: Er... J H I think.(Why do you need to know this?)
Dr L: Ok...
I still remember how that doctor looked like, although I might not be able to recognize him now 10 years down the road. But I sure do still remember the pain. I still blame him for that.
The very busy Dr L has another appointment that he's already late for, so he offered a handshake (weird? I think we were more like superior-subordinate kind of relationship than a cooperative equal. You don't shake hands with your boss, do you? Unless he's your boss-to-be at the interview stage), said bye and left the clinic, leaving the MO handle the rest of the nitty gritty. The MO suggested that I come in on Sunday instead, as there might be no bed should I admit on Monday. What? Make me pay for 1 more day when they should reserve one for me? Ah ok whatever.
He received a call on his mobile. I think the nurse from A&E was calling him.
MO: I'm busy right now, I can't come over. What is wrong with the patient? (pause) Can you ask the HO to do it? (pause) What do you mean he don't know how to do it? Ok, what is the patient having? (pause) Low blood pressure? What, patient said? Does he know the symptoms of low blood pressure or not? (pause) Put him on the phone please. (pause) Do you know the symptoms of low blood pressure? (pause) I know the patient said so, but do you know the symptoms? (long pause) You know or not? (pause) Yes... yes... no... ok ok I will come over later.
Gosh! A&E sounded like a dangerous place with HOs who didn't know what they were doing! FYI, HO a.k.a. the scary fresh grads that people speak of. Of course, not all HOs are like that, but this one really CMI. Good luck to that patient at A&E. I think my MO should really be there soon.
But he must be done with me first. I signed the consent, he did his part, gave me my MC and sent me to pre-admission counseling next door.
Today was really a day of waiting. Counseling also must wait. A lady entered, very slowly logged into the system and started fiddling around in such a way that you can tell she didn't know how to use it. She appeared to be looking for a certain functionality and when she found it, I think she didn't know how to work it. Keyed in some figures, went "eh?", started over... I almost wanted to volunteer my help just to make things go faster. Fortunately, she recognized that she needed help and went out to get it. Things went pretty smoothly afterwards. Got my new bill estimate, which, curiously, was still not far off the previous one despite the stay being 8 days shorter at 10 days. Just about $3000 less.
When I passed by the entrance of the clinic, I caught a glimpse of their list of specialists. Right on, or near the top was Dr J H.
O.
HEAD lor. Dr L's boss lor. Luckily I never complain about him hahaha.
I went to the Business Office to discuss the deposit. The same lady recognized me hohoho. Must be the horrendous bill size.
Good news! I could still pay $5000 deposit upon admission.
She noticed that the Medishield estimate was missing, so she advised me to go back to the clinic and inform the staff that Medishield estimates are mandatory now. Har... still must go back and pass message. My words got power meh? She should call the clinic for me. &*#*$(#
Went back to the clinic, waited somemore, passed the message and got a new printout. Finally I could go home.
Today's damage:
Consultation Services (SC - RV) $68.00
X-ray
Chest (one view) $30.00
Spine Scoliosis (More than 2 V $165.00
Subsidy -$145.00
Out of pocket $118.00
Consultation Services (SC - RV) $68.00
X-ray
Chest (one view) $30.00
Spine Scoliosis (More than 2 V $165.00
Subsidy -$145.00
Out of pocket $118.00
Googled traction, but still didn't have a clear idea of what it is. What pull my head! Sounds like I will be hanged! Painful somemore! Help!
Tomorrow, time for the inevitable... hope things will go well.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Free Lion King?
L lent me her name for the Lion King tickets, but so far the company has not charged us yet. It's already her last day today, so it's... free? :D
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
National Day
Sotong is so patriotic this year! Shall celebrate National Day this year, after a 2-year hiatus I think.
Of course, being a grown-up, instead of waving plastic flags and singing national songs, I have new ways of showing my appreciation for my dear homeland.
First, lunch at Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant. This restaurant is highly recommended by my sister, so I shall go try it out! Haven't had Korean BBQ for a long time. Not counting Seoul Garden, the last time was 2 years ago in Taiwan. Took a cab there and almost missed the entrance to the carpark. The skillful driver reversed in through the exit ^_^;; Missed then jialat liao, got to u-turn, dunno where! The restaurant is located at one of those shophouses along Upper Thomson Road, so you can expect it to have a handicapped-unfriendly entrance.
The restaurant looked rather small. Glad I made a reservation. Must emphasize you want the air-con seats! That day was so hot and humid that we could have died eating spicy food out there.
First up, the appetizers. They were all so yummy that I could get by just eating them. Free-flow mah. But the restaurant sure not happy one haha. Say, has anybody tried doing that before? The potato salad-like thing was awesome! The kimchi was on the salty side, but still nice. I love salt. Yum.
The waitress' English was so heavily-accented that I could hardly understand her. Think she's the boss' daughter.
The highly-raved ginseng chicken soup with just a hint of ginseng. The chicken meat tore off the bone easily. Lots of goodies in the soup.
We also got BBQ beef, which we asked the kitchen to cook for us instead of DIY. After the experience in Taiwan, I'm convinced I can't do it as well as the cook, so let them do it, don't destroy the meat, make it worth the $$. Apply some bean paste and wrap in the vegee to eat. Sister did it for me of course. *empress dowager*
The bimimbap! 1 bowl for the 3 of us, but I was still filled to the brim. Why was the egg cooked? :(
So so so full! Luckily I didn't order the pancake.
Still had time to spare, so we walked over to Thomson Plaza. Nothing much there as usual. Had teh at Hans. Western food restaurant selling teh, hmm... Bought a new cushion.
Overheard a cheapo woman walk into a shop and asked very directly, "你们有 National Day sale 吗?" when there was no sale sign seen anywhere. And when the sales assistant replied, she still want to confirm again!! "真的没有?" *faints* Walk next to her also paiseh!
Went shopping at NTUC for provisions to sustain ourselves later. Spotted Haagen Daz sale with flavors still available! But couldn't buy now lah. Saw the Pure gummy that I bought from Japan! Damn expensive, but I want! Then bought a sandwich from Subway, cleared ourselves out at the toilet, bought newspapers and left. As usual, there wasn't any cab at the queue when it was our turn zzz.
Dropped at MBS. Watched the fireworks here 2 years ago too. The place was full of foreign workers lor. The odor was more evident at the casino entrance :X Went Cold Storage to look for drinks... very hard to find cheap drinks in MBS. Saw the Milo van. but long queue as usual. When can I have a Milo from the van again? Nothing comes as close as it. They were distributing sachets of instant Milo that could dissolve in cold water to make up for it, just needed to find a water cooler though.
The area where I camped the last time was out of bounds.
Found ourselves a great spot! Only con was that the sun was in our faces.
Not a big deal. There's a white board used for covering the electrical box.
Whiled the time away reading newspapers.
The sun hid behind the buildings soon.
Action started!
People from the marching contingent streaming into the cordoned area. Wa... special fireworks spot for them lor.
And the fireworks began! Spectacular! There goes my taxes! And nobody blocking me! Don't leave yet, still got round 2 de.
Too late for dinner, anyway it's crowded everywhere, so we went home. The cab queue was long as expected, but there was no cabs. Abnormal! Shouldn't the supply be endless here? Jialat lor, call also no use de. We waited in the line that hardly moved. The security guard also never offered to let us jump queue. Die ah die ah how many hours will this wait be? People in front, you really should take public transport you know.
A cab came and stopped next to us, offering to take us first. Really? Yay on! But it took us a bloody long time to drive out of the pickup point alone. I thought it was due to the ambulance parked in front, but it was stuck like us. Took us like 15min to clear the pickup point...
Carpark sign spoil liao. Negative lots available!
Missed call alerts started coming in. Phone signal sucks in MBS, with all the crowd.
Reason for the gridlock was because the road towards Suntec City was closed, so everybody had to u-turn. By the time we cleared the u-turn, the fare was already $9.70. Cabs were already hailed from the roadside when they were driving towards MBS. No wonder the cab queue was empty.
Dinner was Geylang beef horfun. I thought I surely had to eat instant mee after fireworks, like 2 years ago.
First, lunch at Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant. This restaurant is highly recommended by my sister, so I shall go try it out! Haven't had Korean BBQ for a long time. Not counting Seoul Garden, the last time was 2 years ago in Taiwan. Took a cab there and almost missed the entrance to the carpark. The skillful driver reversed in through the exit ^_^;; Missed then jialat liao, got to u-turn, dunno where! The restaurant is located at one of those shophouses along Upper Thomson Road, so you can expect it to have a handicapped-unfriendly entrance.
The restaurant looked rather small. Glad I made a reservation. Must emphasize you want the air-con seats! That day was so hot and humid that we could have died eating spicy food out there.
The waitress' English was so heavily-accented that I could hardly understand her. Think she's the boss' daughter.
We also got BBQ beef, which we asked the kitchen to cook for us instead of DIY. After the experience in Taiwan, I'm convinced I can't do it as well as the cook, so let them do it, don't destroy the meat, make it worth the $$. Apply some bean paste and wrap in the vegee to eat. Sister did it for me of course. *empress dowager*
So so so full! Luckily I didn't order the pancake.
Still had time to spare, so we walked over to Thomson Plaza. Nothing much there as usual. Had teh at Hans. Western food restaurant selling teh, hmm... Bought a new cushion.
Overheard a cheapo woman walk into a shop and asked very directly, "你们有 National Day sale 吗?" when there was no sale sign seen anywhere. And when the sales assistant replied, she still want to confirm again!! "真的没有?" *faints* Walk next to her also paiseh!
Went shopping at NTUC for provisions to sustain ourselves later. Spotted Haagen Daz sale with flavors still available! But couldn't buy now lah. Saw the Pure gummy that I bought from Japan! Damn expensive, but I want! Then bought a sandwich from Subway, cleared ourselves out at the toilet, bought newspapers and left. As usual, there wasn't any cab at the queue when it was our turn zzz.
Dropped at MBS. Watched the fireworks here 2 years ago too. The place was full of foreign workers lor. The odor was more evident at the casino entrance :X Went Cold Storage to look for drinks... very hard to find cheap drinks in MBS. Saw the Milo van. but long queue as usual. When can I have a Milo from the van again? Nothing comes as close as it. They were distributing sachets of instant Milo that could dissolve in cold water to make up for it, just needed to find a water cooler though.
Found ourselves a great spot! Only con was that the sun was in our faces.
Whiled the time away reading newspapers.
Action started!
And the fireworks began! Spectacular! There goes my taxes! And nobody blocking me! Don't leave yet, still got round 2 de.
Too late for dinner, anyway it's crowded everywhere, so we went home. The cab queue was long as expected, but there was no cabs. Abnormal! Shouldn't the supply be endless here? Jialat lor, call also no use de. We waited in the line that hardly moved. The security guard also never offered to let us jump queue. Die ah die ah how many hours will this wait be? People in front, you really should take public transport you know.
A cab came and stopped next to us, offering to take us first. Really? Yay on! But it took us a bloody long time to drive out of the pickup point alone. I thought it was due to the ambulance parked in front, but it was stuck like us. Took us like 15min to clear the pickup point...
Missed call alerts started coming in. Phone signal sucks in MBS, with all the crowd.
Reason for the gridlock was because the road towards Suntec City was closed, so everybody had to u-turn. By the time we cleared the u-turn, the fare was already $9.70. Cabs were already hailed from the roadside when they were driving towards MBS. No wonder the cab queue was empty.
Dinner was Geylang beef horfun. I thought I surely had to eat instant mee after fireworks, like 2 years ago.
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