8 April: Infection and 2nd op

While on the road to NNI for my 8 am MRI appointment, I felt some wetness on the wound.  Dabbed it with a tissue and it was yellowish.  Sent Dr N a picture of the tissue and in just 10 minutes he confirmed that infection was probable and that meant I had to be admitted immediately for another op.  

I went for the MRI as scheduled.  Even though the hour-long wait was less agonising this second time round (especially since I have memorised Psalm 23 down pat by now), the injection of the contrast dye was more painful.  Then it was off to call on Dr A again for the results.  He confirmed that the scan showed an infection at the wound site but that the brain was clean.  Dr N had also been in contact with him with instructions for my readmission.  Sent to Room 16 again to settle the costing.  The estimate was $10K for a 3-day stay.  While waiting there for a bed, Dr N came around 11 am after his op duties to see me.  He examined the wound and then explained the details of the wound cleaning and removal of the original bone flap. 

Checked into the room at Ward 13B at around 1 pm.  A group of 3 doctors including one who was present at my first op came by to take a sample of the pus.  The one doing it really did a mean job squeezing and pressing my head.  Ouch!  What was worse was when one of them came by to insert a needle into a vein near my wrist.  He really botched it, spilling much blood and not succeeding after numerous tries.  Double ouch!  It irked me so much I fell back in a faint.  The nurse who came by later managed to do it effortlessly.