Tonsillectomy

For the last 3 months and after 3 rounds of antibiotics, my tonsils would not go down they were still inflamed. So it was with some regret that I have decided to go for a tonsillectomy. After all, over the years my tonsils have been my early warning system against any sickness, once they start to hurt or blow up I knew I was coming down with something.

So the day finally came after all the visits and appointments to the doctors for test and checks. It was finally the day where I would get my tonsils removed. I had to check into the day surgery ward at 7.30am. I was there on the dot and submitted my forms, by 8am my name was called, registration done by a nurse who verified my NRIC number and another nurse got me to the ward and verified my NRIC again and gave me the necessary instructions on what to expect. It was then that I found out that I was scheduled for the 8.30 operation. So I got changed into those hospital gowns, you know the type where your butt is open for the whole world to see. I as told to wait a few minutes while the nurse got the ‘operating theatre’ staff. They got me on the bed and then it was time, the operating theatre staff came, another round of verification with my NRIC and what I was here for, I guess they did not want to remove things which were not meant to be removed. Off we went.

I got pushed to the operating theatre, and you know when you lie on the hospital bed and they push you it’s exactly like in the movies where you see the florescent lights in the ceiling go by. Soon I was in the what they called holding area a room slightly larger that the bed itself. The nurse again did more verification. The staff was very pleasant, they chattered with me and I guess it help me calm down. The anaesthetist came in, he started to find my vein but surprising he failed during the first try and he was very apologetic as he had to make another needle prick. This time he got it. They put a drip on me and hook me up to more monitors and then the doors opened and I was pushed into the operating theatre.

Oh my god, it’s huge, a big spacious place, it’s the first time I have ever been in an operating room. The doctor was there he came up to me spoke to me asked how I was feeling. Told him nervous as hell ! He said not to worry it’ll be painless and over soon. The did one last verification check of my name and NRIC and what I was here for which was to get my tonsils removed. Then they prep me for the op they had this ‘air blanket’ which I though was so cool it’s like those floats that you can lie on in the water but this had holes in them and warm air passed through it to keep your body warm. Someone turn on the radio. Yep you got that right they actually play music during the surgery. Finally the anaesthetist said that the doctor was here, or the chief anaesthetist, there was a brief exchange between them then the lady said, hello, not to worry you will go to sleep soon ok. It was nice to hear they injected me, told me to breath through the oxygen mask. I looked at the lights in the ceiling they seem to wobble a bit out of focus but then the focus came back … and … next thing I knew I was opening my eyes in a room with nurses talking to me if I am ok and how I am feeling. I could feel tightness in my throat and was surprised that boy it’s over !! The nurse gave me some water then told me to take some panadol to ease the pain. She was very nice she said she will crush it for me to make it easier to swallow. Then I was wheel back to the main day ward. There was no one there I was the first back. The ward could accommodate 6 beds but I was the only one there at the moment. I saw the time it was around 11am or so. The operation and recovery was about 2 hrs.

 

The nurses gave me a jug of water and told me to take sips of it. They even provided a straw for me the ice water felt cool and nice. I slept some more and then the missus came by. The nurses had called her once I was out of surgery. Soon another patient came in. The nurse told my missus to get the medication from the pharmacy downstairs and soon she came back with the big package. It was around 2pm when the missus left, I slept some more the drugs were still in my system. by 4pm I was really hungry and the nurse asked if I wanted something to eat. She said how about ice milo and soft bread. That sounded good. So I got the ice milo and soft bread sandwich. The milo I could sip down and it felt refreshing but the bread I just could not swallow. After the drink they took out the tube since I was able to eat already. Lying there by 5pm another 2 more patients came in. There were 4 of us now in the ward.

 

Soon it was dinner time and I got porridge and they actually cool the porridge for me before serving it. Had soup as well which was cooled down. Chicken porridge was good and the soup was nice. My medication was given to me 5 tablets and 1 gargle formula plus a lozenges to suck. By 7pm the ward was full another 2 more patients came in. Of which me and another guy had our tonsils removed. Oh the doctor came to make his rounds to see how we were. He came with another intern I think or a junior doctor. So he asked how I was told him throat is still sore. He say that is expected, need to drink more water and try to eat through the pain so that the wound can heal. He then checked to see if there was any bleeding. He asked me to open my mouth and stuck the ice-cream stick down my throat, just for a second, took it out and told the young doctor, it’s dry. (guess I wasn’t drinking much water) then it was the young doctors turn. Stick the ice-cream stick down my throat for what seem like ages !! I almost choked on it. Don’t they know if you still that in there too long the patient is going to throw up. He went over to the other tonsil patient did the examination and left the room.

I stayed over night for observation, During the night my temperature rose, I was coming down with a fever which is normal after an operation. Luckily by morning it had gone off. Next morning my missus had to come pick me up but first the doctor came round to see us again. Thank goodness it was only the senior doctor. He did a quick examination and said all is find and I could go home once the family member came to pick me up and he will see me in 2 weeks time. All the other patients had their own doctors come to check on them and everyone was able to leave except for 1 elderly man who was running a fever and the doctors decided to keep him a little longer for observation. They moved him to a more permanent ward. While everyone was waiting for someone to come pick them up, the nurses started getting us changed and gave us out medication. The other tonsil guy was being told what to do by this ‘granny’ nurse, how to take the tablets when to take it what to do and even had to show him how to gargle. I was going oh boy I’m next. But luckily another nurse came to brief me. My missus came at 9am and I was able to leave.

It was a real experience being in the hospital. It’s actually a rather nice place. I had a good experience there the level of care is good. My thanks to the doctors and nurses from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Day Surgery Ward) my stay there was memorable. Now off to recuperate at home, I was given 2 weeks MC, more to rest and also not to go out where the risk of infection was higher.