My Other Half

Dear Blog,

I just got back from the Sime Darby Hospital, formerly known as SJMC. Leanna got admitted to the hospital due to a high grade fever, 39degC. I would state what she was diagnosed for but I respect this thing we call the Doctor-Patient confidentiality, so, I'll let ya'll ponder on that for a sec.

When I came back home, I borak-borak with her that morning and found out she wasn't feeling well. Thought it was the usual viral fever and stuff so I gave her the usual advice "makan ubat", "drink more", "rest up" and "dah jumpa doctor blum?".

Lil did I know, that her fever had been going on since Wednesday last week. So, I brought her to our family doc, Dr. Choo the next morning and it wasn't good. That's all I can say. It wasn't good. So the doc gave her Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid, Paracetamol and Dextromethorphan (I'm pretty sure ya'll medic students will look it up. Have fun guessing!)

That day went on, and Leanna didn't look better or worse so I thought "ok, give it time". But today, at around 6pm++ her symptoms got worse. She covered herself with an airline blanket and told me to switch off the fan, she can barely eat, she lost a lotta weight and kept going in and out of the washroom due to nausea. Felt her forehead, she was burning up too. So I told her, "That's it! We're going to the hospital!". So at about 9pm or so, I dropped both Mommy and Leanna to the A & E. Ramai gileeee orang. What? Musim demam now izit? I forgot to check the latest illness trend online, sheeeeshh. Anyway, for a private hospital things seemed slow just now due to the packed A & E department.

When I came in, the nurse was about done checking Leanna. Mommy waited outside and told me to get in the room and ask what was going on. I told her to let the nurse do her job. My mom took a peek at the form and saw that Leanna had a 39degC temperature. Whoa. That's high. She seemed pale and weak too. Not a good sign. The nurse told her that a doctor will give her a jab. My mom asked me "What jab?". And I answered, "I dunno." (sometimes, people expect too much from a medical student)

So, we waited... and waited...and waited. Daddy and my stepmom Aunty Nurie finally came. It was...awkward. I don't know how long this tension will last between the three - Mommy, Daddy and Aunty Nurie, but I really hoped for the sake of Leanna not feeling well that they'd at least give eye contact and nod at eachother...or SOMETHING. Daddy gave the usual silly snicker to Mommy and Mommy would reply that snicker sarcastically. But both mom and stepmom would never look or even glance at eachother's direction. What a pity. 3 "adults" that mean so much to me can't even get along.

Mommy left soon afterwards, saying she had to go prepare the small family get-together at Toks' coz today was indeed Tok Wan's birthday. I felt sad for this was the first time ever Tok Wan's birthday that both Leanna and I were home, but not exactly at home to celebrate. I'm so sorry Tok Wan. I will pray to God for you to have panjang umur, InsyaAllah there will be another celebration next year. I'm so very, very sorry.

Back at the Hospital, after our long, long wait Dr. Singh (name has been changed) took history from Leanna. The way he did it, was so unsympathetic and so unempathizing..and all other words with the letters "un" in front of it. He scolded my twin sister for going to the doc late. He scolded her for not taking antibiotics and he scolded her for not caring about her health. Uh, re-check. I could've sworn we were at a private hospital? I'd expect good service from these people, but this was way OFF! Since Leanna was weak, all she could do was nod and shake her head. I wanted to take the doc's stethoscope around his neck and strangle him 'til he was sorry, and believe me, he'll wanna say sorry.

So, in the end Leanna got admitted at room 467-2 on a wheelchair at 12am while Daddy, Aunty Nurie and I went to eat a very late dinner at the Mamak restaurant. The nurse told us to go eat coz it would take awhile for Leanna to be brought up to her room. It was 12.30am when we visited her, and she was asleep but awoke after sensing our presence. Chatted with her for a moment and left before 1am. Daddy and Aunty Nurie sent me home to Tok's. Everyone at home were still awake except Ritz. He was asleep, and he too isn't feeling well. Tok Wan's birthday party was over by then, Mak Sue, Unc Zack and Amilin gone home already, cake in the fridge, dining table all cleared up but the balloon was still floating in the air. Everyone at home asked me all sorts of questions and kept complaining about Leanna not taking care of herself. I told them that it wasn't really her fault. How could she have known this was to happen?

In a nutshell, I'd say this is a pretty depressing way to start my holidays. Before my exam, my Dad was admitted to the hospital due to a mild heart attack. Now, right after my exam, my dear Twin sister. What more could possibly go wrong?

. a distraught l e n a.