MVD Diary - Mohlee Tan
The Beginning:
It began with my 1st consultation with Dr Thomas on January 30, 2008, with MRI on February 02, 2008 followed by my 2nd consultation on February 13, 2008. Was told there were 3 blood vessels around that area. My MVD was scheduled for March 25, 2008.
Monday, March 24, 2008 - Hospital Admission:
Arrived at Singapore General Hospital admission office at 1pm as scheduled. Waited for sometime for a bed. In the meantime, went to a neuro clinic for preparation for surgery - put on some kind of electrodes with wires. Was told it is for some sort of monitoring. Got a bed at around 5.30pm.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 – “MVD Day”:
Operation was scheduled for 8.30am. Was awakened at 6.30am for all the necessary preparation before being pushed through various rooms to the operating theatre, each time being asked for drug allergy and if I'm alright and then it's waiting. When the time came and all was ready, I was put to sleep. The next thing I knew, I was waking up, was shivering terribly and started throwing up (I heard my daughter say I looked bad). That was around 5pm, i.e. 8-9 hours from the time of my operation.I had very bad nausea and keep throwing up throughout the night. I felt very bad and had a fever but couldn't take any oral medication as even gargle and swallowing of saliva would caused me to throw up. So the doctor got to inject another anti-nausea drug when the first one didn't seemed to work. The nurses also helped sponge my forehead. I couldn't sleep the whole night (with that lousy condition and noisy machines around) but I remembered my face was calm.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 – “The Day After”:
Tried 1-2 sips of Milo in the morning. Was still feeling nauseous and dizzy when I opened my eyes, the whole room seemed to be swirling non-stop, so kept eyes closed most of the morning. Dr Thomas came to check on me in the morning. Still having a mild fever.Had just about 2-3 tablespoon of lunch as I had no appetite and also afraid of vomiting again.
I was transferred back to normal ward in the mid-afternoon. Managed to take slightly more food in the evening. The incision area was not that painful, however, the headache was rather bad. Face remained calm.
Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 2 Days Post:
I removed the rubber bands that were used to tie up my hair (ya, must have looked very funny with that) and managed to walk slowly by myself from bed to the attached toilet. Eating is getting back to normal. Frances Ng, fellow HFSA member, came to visit me during lunchtime.Tried more walking in the afternoon. Getting better and less dizzy. Headache still there and the spasms seemed to be back at times.
Friday, March 28, 2008 - 3 Days Post-Op:
Feeling better each day. Able to shower and wash up all by myself. Dr Thomas said I could be discharged if I wanted to but I was in no hurry. The spasms was more noticeable, though not as bad as before, but still was worrisome. Hoped it would calm down after some time.
Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 4 Days Post-Op:
Discharged from hospital.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 1 Week Post-Op:
Went back to hospital to let Dr Thomas check on the incision after I told him that the dressing came loose. The incision was healing well and a new dressing was replaced but it didn't stick well as my hair was growing back.The headache hasn't gone away. Spasms not so frequent now, but I felt the left facial side (hfs side) is weak - eye and lip can't close tightly (water would flow out of the corner of my mouth if I rinse hard) and left side of the tongue was a bit numb.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 2 Weeks Post-Op:
Visited Dr Thomas for post-op review. Scheduled for a CT scan after I told him still having headache. Left facial is still weak. "NO SPASMS" except occasional mild feeling of eye twitch.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 4 Weeks Post-Op:
Went back to Dr Thomas for the CT scan result and was told everything was fine. Actually the headache was milder now hopefully will go away after some time. Facial weakness had improved and I could start to whistle again like I used to prior to having spasms. And I had started returning to my sports activities. Life have definitely been better now.