Traditional Chinese Medicine Saved my Life

It has been around two years since I last got a fever. In year 2011, I had fever and sore throat on a Friday. The only medicine given to me by the doctor was panadol. I was usually given antibiotics when I had fever. So, I burned painfully at home over the weekends till I went back to see another doctor on Monday who finally gave me antibiotics. How foolish was I to not wanting to see doctor on Sunday because I wanted to save money. I am more foolish to believe in that doctor who thinks that antibiotics was not necessary.

After that long burn, I never had any fever since then till 27th December 2013. My fever was really high then, I wasn't given any antibiotics again. Having spent all the money in my employee's account, I went to see the GP opposite my house. Sitting upright and walking properly was a little challenging. I was given antibiotics, a stronger one, as mentioned by the doctor. My fever, however, did not go down on Sunday and I was really burning. Never did I feel this burnt.

I was brought to TTSH by Mum by taking a cab. Alighting, there wasn't anyone who helped. Walking with me together towards the counter slowly, Mum went to the information counter to enquire something but that unfriendly lady said to my Mum loudly and rudely to go to the other counter. Bringing me to the counter, I was quickly registered.

I was called shortly after and attended by a senior staff nurse. I can see that she is experienced. She can see that I am having chills and tried to console me after I told her that I have phobia of needles. I was told that she is going to take my blood for dengue test and I will be put on drip later on.

After setting the plug, I was brought to the other room for ECG by another nurse. I wasn't told about this at all. I kind of know what was happening because I am working in a hospital too.

I was given a wheelchair after that. I was too weak to walk. My mind was in a mess. I feel a little traumatised too. What made me able to stay calm was that I am a healthcare worker too.

Waiting in the room to see the doctor, my name was called shortly. I do not know who the person was till I saw her name tag later on. Everybody were wearing scrubs. There were no introduction at all. How confusing can it be for a normal patient. The doctor asked for my symptoms and then pushed me to the observation ward to be put on drip. I was given two medications as well but I do not know what medication except one that was mentioned by the doctor that it was for my nausea. I do not really feel nausea but I just nodded my head when the doctor say that she will give a little something for my nausea.

The first nurse who attended to me was really nice and experienced. She did managed to explain some things to me. She wanted to give me the medication prescribed by the doctors. She told me that she is not going to prick me. She will give through the specially made "bent" at the tube of the drip that I was connected to. Pushing the medicine too fast, I felt pain in my vein, I retracted my hand. Sending that, she slowed down her pace. She is good except the part where the line was connected to my plug; there were some bubbles that she missed. It was still alright I guess. I messaged my colleague nurse to enquire about that and she said that it's alright. The nurse did check again after I mentioned that there's bubbles.

When I was transferred to the trolley and pushed to the designated "corner", one nurse came to ask me whether I need any food or plain water. I said I want nothing as I do not know whether that would add on to my bomb as I know being there will already burn my pocket. Furthermore, I know that usually people on drip will lose appetite so I don't see the need to have food then. I just accepted her suggestion of plain water because I need water to get the fever to go down. My plug was connected to the drip after that and I was given the medicine shortly.

I asked for a stool for my Mum but they say caregivers are actually not allowed to sit there. What? Oh well, I asked Mum to rest outside because it's not really nice to make her stand beside me though I wanted her to accompany me. Just a while after Mum stepped out, I started to feel some gastric. There weren't any nurse near me that I can ask help from. I smsed Mum and she came in quickly. I told her that I am hungry and needed food. At the same time, instead of feeling cold, I feel hot and started to remove the blanket and the windbreaker that I covered on my body. It just so happened that the nurse was taking BP for the patient beside me, Due to the space constraint, she has to pull out the trolley, thus blocking the way. Mum tried to reach me but couldn't. The nurse that was taking BP for the patient beside me saw what my Mum tried to do and yet she did nothing. Cool.

Mum talked to me in a distance because she couldn't reach me. I told her that I am hungry and hot. She went to nurse counter to ask another nurse to get me some food. There were no response so she went to bring the matter up again. The nurse only responded after a while. I guess she was doing some administrative work.

One nurse finally asked me whether I want porridge, I agreed to it though I wanted cereal because she did not offer so I am not sure whether it was still available or not. While asking, the first nurse who asked me whether I wanted food told her that I do not want anything. I keep nodding my head and said that I want porridge. My gastric was so bad that I feel like it's going to break anytime. When the porridge and milo came, I took two mouthful and I felt bloated. What's wrong with my stomach?

I took a sip of the milo and force a little more of the porridge down. I cannot waste it though it's awful tasting. I managed to finish the whole bowl of porridge in the end with sip of milo in between. It's a good thing as my body needed food for energy. Mum was glad that I managed to finish it too. Looking at the drip given to me, it's just plain saline. Maybe it's the glucose drip that will cause loss of appetite. Hmm.

I asked Mum to rest outside a while. She came back shortly after. She told me she dozed off a little and had her snack that she brought along. I am really worried about her getting too tired or hungry.

After some time, I have the urge to go toilet and it kind of keep coming. I guess it must be the flushing out of the saline by my kidney. I saw the lady in the bed on my left going to the toilet with the drip with the help of the nurse so I asked Mum to accompany me to the toilet just in case. I guess Mum didn't know that the drip have to always be kept high, she lowered a little and my blood flow into the tube. My blood flow back to my vein after Mum held it higher. Going back to my trolley, the nice nurse quickly come to attend to me. She took the drip from me and placed it back on the hanger. I was shocked again when I saw air bubbles in the tubing. The nurse stopped the drip and helped me to get rid of the air bubbles before connecting it back to my plug. She told me that the drip can be stopped and I don't have to worry about stopping it as this is not blood transfusion. I learned something new I guess.

A male doctor came to check on me later one. I think he is the senior doctor because I saw the female doctor that attended to me earlier on reporting on her findings about me to him. He came over, asked me a few questions, checked my throat, and pressed on my umbilical area. I know that is a routine but it's a little shocking that I was touched without any prior knowledge.

I finished the second packet of saline and my blood is flowing out into the tube as there was no more pressure of the saline to stop my blood from flowing out. A staff nurse was talking in front of me to a doctor. I get their attention and told them that my blood was flowing as I was not sure whether I can put on the constriction of the tube on my own accord. The nurse came to put on the constriction and told me that it's alright. She said that my blood will flow back after the drip runs again. After saying that, she left me. I was only given the third pack of saline after some time. Don't they know that if my blood will clot if it stays in the tubing for too long? A little bit of my blood was not able to flow back into my veins because it has settled in the tubing. Amazing.

A lady in a white uniform and dark blue pants suddenly came over and asked for my name. Upon verifying that my name is the same as what it was written on her piece of paper, she unlocked my bed and pulled me away. Shocked, I asked Mum where am I going. The lady heard it but ignored me. Upon reaching and pulled into a room which has an x-ray sign at the door, my guess was Chest x-ray. Stopping my trolley and locked the position, I asked her whether it was Chest x-ray. She just said yes and asked me to remove my bra. My drip was ending soon so I kept looking for any blood backflow and was ready to stop put on the constriction.

As a healthcare worker, or rather as a diagnostic radiographer, I guessed that and had taken steps to prevent further trouble. I put my religious chain that I always wore in my pocket. I took off my thick wind breaker before they connect the drip to my plug. It would be really troublesome if all these were not done. All these would not be done if the patient does not know.

After the x-ray was done, I was pulled out of the x-ray room to wait right outside the x-ray room. It was a long wait. I feel awkward too, that so many people are walking past, looking at me. Seeing backflow in the tubing, I quickly put on the constriction. I was not happy. I went to the toilet and after a short wait back at the awkward position of the trolley, I was then pulled back by the observation ward nurse to the same place where I was pulled away for x-ray. If I had not put on the constriction, maybe my blood will flow right into the saline bag. The wait is that long.

Back at the observation ward, I was given a new drip, at a very slow rate. I asked the nurse to check the part of the tubing where my blood flow back and she kind of ignored me. The female doctor came over after a while, increased the rate of the drip and gave me two panadol. The increased rate made my hands feel cold and a little uncomfortable than before. I did my best to bear with it. My fever had gone down but I have no idea why I was given panadol. Believing that it will make me recover faster, I took the pills. The doctor say that my fast heart rate will be monitored and I can be discharged once my heart rate go down.

After a few checks of my blood pressure and heart rate, I was discharged at around 6pm to 7pm by another female doctor who took over the case. My 6 hours of torture finally ended. I went off happily because my temperature had gone down and my throat is not that pain anymore. I can speak normally and I felt that my strength has came back to me.

After removing the plug, the nurse pressed on the injection site with an alcohol swap for around 5 seconds and remove it. upon seeing my blood has not stop yet, she then press it again. At that moment, I can confirm that I will have bruising at the area. I am not sure about using alcohol swap to press on the injection site but I am definitely sure that the time that the pressure was given was not enough. Great.

I was given a piece of paper with instructions on the viral fever. I was told to head back to the hospital if fever persists. I was told to continue the drugs given by the GP. MC of that Sunday was given to me. Mum and I were shocked with the date on the MC. A MC for Sunday only? I requested for MC for Monday and my request was granted. I didn't ask for more as I felt a lot better and believed that I will be ready to head back to work on Tuesday.

Mum and I took a train home after I settle the payment. I wonder why only one person is allowed to enter the payment area. My mind wasn't that clear to be alone at that moment.

At the MRT station, I started to feel some hotness and soreness at my throat. I brushed it off, thinking that it's just the left over virus and that it will be gone after I finish the medication. I don't think that it would be a big issue since I have been having sore throat with no fever quite frequently throughout the year.

Upon reaching home, I bathed and cleared away all the soiled clothings. I rested while trying to get my life back to normal. At around 8pm, I don't feel right again. My temperature went up again. I tried to bear with it till the next does of panadol. The next dose will be the 5th dose of the last 24 hours. I decided to take it because the high fever that I had two years ago, the doctor at my hospital said it was alright to overdose to that extent. My fever did not go away after I swallow the pills. Feeling that the pain is getting worse after waiting for the pills to take effect, I asked Mum to bring me back to the hospital. It was one of the instructions stated on the piece of paper given to me anyway.

Heading back, I was registered again. The nurse wanted to draw blood from me for a test. I told her that I had already done it in the afternoon but she said that it's best to do it again. I refused. I made the decision that I shall have the consultation first. I wasn't given a wheelchair and I didn't bother to ask for one. At that moment, I guess my body was powered by anger, angry that this stupid fever is just simply annoying and irritating. At the waiting area, there were not a lot of people and the wait was kind of long.

The female doctor that took over my case and have me discharged earlier attended to me. She asked me "why you come back?" She told me that this is a viral fever and having it attacking me again was expected. I told her that my body is not reacting to the panadol and I have already taken the 5th dose of the day. The doctor seemed shocked that I overdosed. She said that there is nothing that can be done except for waiting for the drugs to take effect. She also said that I should not be taking medication more than the stated dose. At that moment, I feel so helpless. Since there is no drug to make my fever go down, I asked if there are other drugs to cure my throat. Her answer was to continue the antibiotics. Shocked. I then mention that I cannot leave my body burning. She then left for a moment to consult a senior doctor.

While she was away, I gather my thoughts and "counter-arguments". If the fever is expected to come back, why am I not informed about it and was asked to return when I am attacked by it? If the fever is expected to return and may last up to one week, why am I only given one day of MC, and I was only given a second day of MC upon request?

The doctor returned and offer to give me NSAIDS. She said that it will help some people to break the fever while it may not happen for some. She said that I could try that. I agreed. How can I not agree when I am in so much pain? The doctor offered to put me on drip again since I am there but I refused because the fever will return once the drip is removed. I do not see the point in having the drip and I do not want to tired out my Mum anymore. It's not fair for her. I was prescribed the NSAIDS pills instead of injection. However, I was told to wait for the next panadol dose and have it consumed with the panadol pills. I must have food before consuming that drug because it is a very strong drug.

Prompted by Mum, I asked whether I need to be warded. This is especially the case when the doctor made NSAIDS sounds to be a very scary drug. The doctor said that I will only be admitted if I can't swallow. My condition is that I can swallow, just that it was very painful, so I do no qualify to be warded. I asked for a stronger drug for the flu as well because my nose is so congested that I could hardly breathe.

Mum and I cabbed home. I was shaking throughout the journey but I don't think it's nice to ask the taxi driver to increase the air-conditioner temperature. Seeing how money fly away just like that really hurts.

Reaching home, I changed out. Touching even a little amount of water can cause me pain. I sat at the kitchen just like what I have been doing for the past few nights. I just gulp down as much water as I can and wait for the time to have my medication. I kept wiping my face with a damp cloth. I have tried to sweat it out but steaming my face with hot water is not working. My sweat glands then, seems malfunctioned.

Counting down to 2am was painful. I kept telling myself to tahan, tahan. When I finally took my medication, it was fear that I felt. I have seen history of patients being allergic to NSAIDS but I do not have idea what kind of side effects it is. I was really hoping really hard that I am alright and the fever will just go away.

I went to sleep after keeping my medication. It was not a good sleep. I was half-awake throughout the night. I was scared. I felt my heart pumping really fast and really hard. It was so hard that I felt my whole body vibrating. Subconsciously, I have this thought: "Jiayou gal, relax, it's okay, it's going to be okay, relax, relax.. it's just high heart rate from the fever.. it's okay.."

Waking up the next day, my heart was still pumping fast and hard. It was a relief that my fever has gone away. It worked. As the medication indicates that it should only be taken when necessary, I didn't take it for the next one and a half day. I continued the other medications but I don't feel any improvement.

Dad caught a flu. I was scared, scared that Dad will suffer like me. But it was really a relief that it was not my virus. It can be concluded that what I got was not that contagious. Mum spent more time with me and she was alright. I will recover.

The Wanted has came to Singapore for the New Year Countdown party at Marina Bay Floating Platform. I am not going to that crowded place but I was very excited. I was looking forward to hear them sing though it's just watching the live broadcast on TV. While watching the pre-show and waiting for my favourite boy band to appear, my temperature came back again. As I have already taken panadol at 6pm, I have to wait till the time for the next dose. I couldn't sing along as they sung, it was quite disappointing. But, I guess watching them on TV made the countdown easier for me. As people countdown to New Year, I countdown to take my medicine as well. 3, 2, 1... Panadol! That, is how I started my New Year.

The doctor said that if my fever still persists on Thursday, I have to head back to the hospital. I was burning on Thursday but I went to my workplace instead. It was a stronger antibiotics that I was given. Upon receiving my medicine, I quickly head over to Grandma House for food as Mum would not be at home. A while after consuming the new antibiotics, I felt a sharp pain at my stomach that I have to quickly sit down on the floor. I couldn't even express how the pain was in words. It was like having a hole in my stomach. Drinking warm water is the only thing that I could do to help. With discussion made, I decided to seek for alternative treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine is my only hope left.

I have tried to "gua sa" for the past few days at the neck according to the instructions I got by SMS-ing Chen YiShi but the effects didn't really last. It came to a point when my neck was too painful to be touched anymore.

On Friday morning, Auntie Mui drove me to the clinic. Auntie Peng went there early so that I could be the first in the queue. Being that sick made me not able to afford to wait for too long. I was glad that I could rest in the car while waiting for Chen YiShi to come. I wasn't burning that bad because I have taken another dose of NSAIDS in the morning. I was avoiding that medication because I do not want to feel the uncomfort of heavy heart beat, which did not occur that day.

At the clinic, I seemed to get some attention from the other patients. Guess I looked really pale then. My acupuncture treatment that day was a little different; there were no electric current pulsing given. According to Chen YiShi, she let my body heat to be released through my legs. Chen YiShi said I should be able to feel the heat going away but I couldn't. My whole body was so numb with the pain. Every needle that was given to me were not that painful. Maybe my whole body was too painful to feel anything then. Chen YiShi helped me to release blood from the fingers. I was told to breathe in deeply as it hurts. I didn't breathe in, because I don't feel the pain. Having a needle hitting the blood vessel is usually something painful but I didn't feel that intensity as high as before. Weird.

Finishing the acupuncture session, I was given some Chinese medication to poop as I was not able to sweat it out. I was also asked to drink warm "mai dong" water to get rid of the heat in my body. All Western medicine were to be stopped with immediate effect. I decided to stay over Grandma House for proper care as Auntie Peng has some good understanding with TCM. It took me the whole day and three dose of medication till I finally pooped. There were not a lot of stool. Chen YiShi said that it was most probably that I haven't been eating. That was so true, as it has been watery wheat drink for me and really very little solid food for the pass one week. I did try to force some food down my throat because I need the energy to recover. I was in a better mood at that moment too.

I went for a second session of acupuncture on Saturday morning. I was in pain but I can feel the improvement. Auntie Peng brought me to the clinic by taxi. I was grumbling about the price but she kept telling me that it was okay. Family support is really important in this kind of situation. Needles that day was more painful. It must have been me recovering, leading to the regaining of my sense of feel. It was a good sign I guess. I felt so much better after the treatment that I chose to take the bus home. I couldn't stop coughing on the bus as my body was so sensitive to the air-con though I have worn a really thick layer of jacket. Auntie Peng gave me hot water to consume once in a while and that really helps. I am so glad that I do not have to take the train as I believe drinking in the train will only cause more trouble for me. After reaching home, it was more Chinese medicine for me.

I went back to work on Monday, I feel good though I was still weak. I was really glad that my posting was CT scan; so I get to rest a little while scanning. Everything was alright till Wednesday. My fever came back and even when I was sitting down, I couldn't sit up straight. My lower back was so painful. I was lucky that Auntie Mui had already made arrangements and drove me from my workplace to the clinic.

Chen YiShi helped me to release blood again. It was on my fingers, my upper back, and my head. This time was more painful than the previous round. Upon pricking my fingers, I can feel the immediate effects of my temperature going down. Cool. This is definitely way better than the non-effective paracetamol.

I took urgent leave the next day to have a rest as TCM is still not recognised in Singapore; MC issued by TCM is not an acceptable document to be absent from work. Great.

I went for acupuncture session for the next few Wednesdays to cure my cough. The fever has totally gone off. I can really feel myself getting stronger day by day. The feeling of getting back to my noisy and hyper self is really great.

Singapore should seriously have TCM recognised. I actually went back to work with a weak body that have not totally recover. Chen YiShi said I should rest but I couldn't because MC is limited and there are just people with big smelly mouths out there.

Falling sick this time was the worst torture of my life. I actually dropped 5kg within that two weeks of torture. Experience at TTSH was traumatic and I really need to have a second thought about Western Medicine again. Isn't it amazing that so many dose of Western Medicine didn't cure me and TCM is able to let me feel improvement in just one session of acupuncture? TCM is also very flexible to cure from different approach if any of the ways doesn't work for any patient. Treating according to the patient's condition is way better than just swallowing large doses of medicine that are supposed to work for certain illnesses.

Western Medicine is not totally non-functional but it would really be great if more flexibility is exercised and it would be even greater if it is practiced together with TCM. Working in a setting that deals with Western Medicine, I can't deny the benefits that it has that TCM doesn't. However, in this particular experience of mine, TCM has shown how much more superior it is than the routine Western Medicine practice.

I sincerely hope for a better future for TCM in Singapore. I see the important role that it can play to save a lot of lives. I see the need for it to be recognised.