Farewell, Hudson!

Hudson, my lifelong appendix succumbed to inflammation and near-explosion experience. Instead of going to Ilocos with my HP Officemates, I was quickly rushed to the hospital that fateful Friday morning.

I was prodded and poked like a lab specimen. Even if doctors have this professional approach, I can't help but feel helpless and humiliated at some point. They took all samples of everything I have. The procession of instruments and machines for the first day in the hospital seemed endless. And through it all, I bore it under excruciating pain in my abdomen.

Being the mamaru that I am, I thought it was just ulcer. In the past few days, my meals have been a bit irregular. I gave priority to my work and ate on my workplace. One by one, they eliminated possible causes of the pain.. UTI, Reproductive Causes, Stones, etc..

The next morning, I was sent to Surgery to have my appendix removed. The procedure itself was fairly quick but the recovery was hell. I woke up to nausea and throbbing in my stomach. My lower half was still numb but my upper body was screaming: pain. I begged for painkillers, anything to knock me out or to numb my head. The nurse said he'd injected something but I didn't feel any relief. I threw up on my side, into a bowl. The heaving was painful and it contracted my stomach. I felt my stitches would tear up. I haven't eaten for 2 days now and all I threw up was bile and probably some medicine. It felt nasty and tasted rotten.

I wanted to go up to my room now. I wanted to be with my mom. Finally, 7 hours after my operation, they wheeled me back to the room. I was bedridden for the day. I had to pee in a bedpan which was the most uncomfortable situation ever! I wanted to get up but mom feared I would tear my stitches.

I was in recovery for the next day. I was in IV, painkillers and antibiotics. I was being fed through the IV. I got up for the first time to go to the bathroom and the world spun in a vertigo. I felt I was going to throw up again. The headache was hell and the lights were blinding me. They gave me painkillers again. My dad, brother and sister finally arrived and they distracted me from the pain. Eventually, they had to leave and once again, I was with my mom. I hugged her that night and thanked her for being there for me. I don't think I would have recovered fast had she not been there, taking care of my needs and for being my emotional cheerleader.

I was discharged on Dec. 22, just in time for my sister's birthday. They changed the bandage into a waterproof one so I can take a bath (thank God!). And they sent me home together with my painkillers and antibiotics. Mom and Dad were there, taking care of everything. When I got home, I fell asleep and woke up to do a number 2.

We had dinner at Portico in Serendra. I only had soup and a bit of meat since I was still getting used to a soft diet. I walked like an 80-year old woman but my family was patient with me. We went to Fully Booked and dad bought me Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. I read the book once but I was too young to appreciate it. I just read the sequel, World Without End and it was one of the best books I've ever read.

The night was getting late and the throbbing was starting to hurt again. My brother and I went ahead of them and got home earlier while Mom, Dad and Anne went strolling in Boni High Street. It was a fairly nice day out with my family.