On Dec 10th , I was scheduled for a thyroid nodule operation .
While in ISH , I was monitored by Dr Giritharan , my long time family physician specialist . The surgery was carried out by Dr Loo Voon San , a senior and top surgeon in Perak . The anaesthetician for my operation was Dato' Dr Jena .
Many thanks to all the doctors and nurses . More importantly , thank you to my parents who helped me when I was in hospital from Dec 10th till Dec 11th evening . I was allowed to discharge on Dec 11th for rest at home . The surgery was successful .
Earlier on in Australia , doctors found by accident through ultrasound that there was a thyroid nodule . In fact , many human beings are walking with thyroid nodules . Many are advised to go through a Fine Needle Aspiration with about 90% accuracy to determine if it is cancerous or not .
I did that in Australia and the pathologist needed more samples . I was scheduled for another round of FNA but I rejected it and want my case to be handled by Malaysian doctors . I went for a check under Dr Giri after a few days of arrival in Ipoh . Dr Giri could not feel anything physically at my neck . So I was told to go for an ultrasound .
By looking at the nodule , it was small and nothing to worry about . But he told me that I will need to do yearly check ups , perhaps FNAs when necessary . The other action was to remove part of the thyroid .
So that was what I chose after having another consultation with Dr Loo . I don't want to see the doctors every year just to check on one small nodule at my thyroid . Moreover , there is the 10% chance remaining that might cause it to be cancerous and thyroid cancer is among the easiest to cure !
When Dr Loo filled up the forms for surgery , my God .... he commented that he can see I was already shivering at his clinic . He calmed me down and explained to me all the details of the operation . I went as far as googling about this surgery , the procedures and the images of this surgery . So I was pretty prepared . I kept it a secret except for a few close friends who knew about my scheduled op . Thanks for calling Sue Ann , Jimmy and others .
After the op , Dr Loo told my mom after the op while I was still under the influence of General Anaesthetic (GA) that the nodule was small and he removed the left thyroid . According to his initial judgement , it was nothing to worry about .
Well , whatever it is , I can sit on a chair and type this blog entry now . But speech wise , I can't speak loud yet . I still have some swelling and pain to handle , but I guess I am all right for now . All healthy .... but I have to go through the boring diet of porridge everyday till I am comfortable !
It was a hell of an experience and I tremored in pre-operation time . But in the waiting room outside the operation theatre , I realise many patients have greater surgery than mine . Some went for angioplasma , there was a pakcik with problems at his left leg , there was also another who needed an operation at the spinal cord . The nurses didn't give me much attention in the operation theatre while waiting for my turn . They told me my surgery is minor ... they gave me a heart calming jab .... but I think my heartbeat raced even faster anyway !
So I guess I was all right while laying there waiting for my turn to be given a "sembelih" session . Dato' Dr Jena and his team pushed me into the operation room then to paste those heart monitoring stuff on my body . Then he injected the anaesthetic into my left hand . Within 5 seconds , I lost control of myself .
Soon , I heard a voice calling me "Sir , sir ... wake up .... it's over already" . At that time , all I wanted was painkillers and someone to hold !! After about 20 minutes , I was ready to go back to the ward ... sis and mom was outside waiting for me . I was glad my surgery was over .
Many thanks to all the nurses and specialists of Ipoh Specialist Hospital for all that you have done .... I appreciate it and keep up the good work !
Meantime , I might not be logging in to my blog or reply any emails or messages or calls ... I need time to rest and I want my loud voice back ASAP ! So all of you out there , take care and have a good holiday !
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