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Pardon me if I sound stupid. I can't help it - I've just lost four 'elements' of wisdom. This should explain for the rather long and monotonous entry here...The journey towards the reduction of my wisdom actually began last night. I had to fast from midnight onwards - no food, no drinks (no, not even plain water). Went to bed around 12:30, but took quite a while to fall asleep as I tried to clear the numerous thoughts and worries that have been entrenched in my mind. Woke up at seven plus to prepare for my appointment at 0915hrs. Reached there faster than expected, at 9am. I was told to change into into this patient gown which consisted of a huge draw-string pants and a cavernous shirt that threatened to swallow me whole. Nurse A says it is worn like a kimono. Perhaps...but it sure does not look like one. Anyway, having changed into the appropriate attire, I was assigned a bed, and that was where I would spend the next three and a half hours as I entered Phase 1 of the surgery - The Long Wait. I managed to get about two hours and a few bits of sleep, sandwiched between watching Nurse B pottering around doing her chores, and reading half of a Men's Health magazine. I could be mistaken, but I thought I saw some spider web between my toes when Nurse A finally came over around 1235 and told me that it was going to be my turn. She proceeded to spray this acrid fluid into my nostrils, which I then had to swallow. Yucks! It took another 15 minutes before I was allowed into the surgery room for Phase 2 - The Surgery (of course!). The female anaesthetist asked a number of questions regarding myself as she prepared to administer general anaethesia. Perhaps she was trying to help me to relax, but she was not very successful as she sounded very unsincere. Not that it matters since I was only a little nervous. Nurse C proceeded to cover my nose and mouth with an oxygen mask and instructed me to inhale deeply. I drifted out of consciousness shortly after...It was close to 3pm when I was woken up by Nurse A. Apart from aches in the areas where the teeth had been extracted, I also experienced numbness in the lower jaw. Nurse A helped me to change my blood-soaked cotton gauze and gave me a cup of Ribena. I was asked if I was suffering from any of the common after-effects: headache, giddiness, nauseousness, sore throat. Apart from some slight drowsiness, I felt OK. I was then told to rest further in this Phase 3 - Post Surgery Rest. I did not sleep much as I had already slept quite a lot earlier and did not feel tired. In fact, I was actually more hungry then tired. My senses were totally alert as I watch and hear the nurses engaged in their activities - calling people to inform them their reporting time for tomorrow, tending to other patients...I was finally freed around 5pm after the surgeon ascertained that I was fit to go. It had been over 20 hours since I last ate anything! I felt a little hungry but did not have the appetite though. Still I had to consume some food before I could consume my antibiotics. Thus I had my first meal of the day at 5:45pm when I drank the porridge mum had cooked in the morning. I also swallowed some blood.Now I feel like a dumb vampire.
I have been lazy, hence the late update.Basically, I did not get my extractions. I had a bit of phlegm on that day, and as there is increased risk of pneumonia, I decided to postpone the surgery. Hope I will be fully healthy on that day(two weeks later). I do not want it to be postponed again. Not because it hurts(the pain has subsided), but because I am afraid of getting infection and decay. I think I am very vulnerable to this as my gum has grown over part of the partially erupted tooth, which has made it harder to brush the area around the wisdom tooth. I certainly do not wish to have to extract the neighbouring tooth due to decay...I have tried to imagine post-surgery impact: How swollen will my cheeks get? How long will I take to recover sufficiently to consume 'normal' food? Will I be able to go for lessons? How long do I have to wait before I can go back to work? Questions, questions...Answers in two weeks time(hopefully)...
Went for my X-ray today. Result--> I need to extract all my wisdom teeth, including the two unerupted ones at the top. Great.Total estimated cost for the whole affair (inclusive of initial consultation at Hougang Polyclinic) --> about $930. Marvellous.Physical and financial pain awaits. Excellent combination.
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Chronicles of the Wisdom Teeth.
Experienced deja vu today. I was asking Meeling about her appointment yesterday. Then I realised how it all seemed so familiar... I have vague memories of being at the same place, asking her the same question, with her giving the exact same reply. Even my follow-up question was the same, and from there, I was able to know what her reply would be, before I even finished asking my question. She answered in the same way she did in my 'memory'. It just seemed so unbelievable... There was one big difference between what happened today, and what was in my mind though - Ching Song was not in my mental scene.This is not the first time I experienced deja vu. Is it really just a coincidence, or...?Anyway, coincidence or not, that was not the chief preoccupation of the day. That honour would have to go to the ache in my buccal cavity. The problematic tooth has also left me with a slight swelling of my left jaw.I'm SO looking forward to my dental visit tomorrow. P.S.I doubt I have ever been more eager to see the dentist.
My body's still aching after my IPPT exertions on Wednesday. It must be due to my lack of exercise and insufficient cooling-down exercises after the test. Oh, by the way, I failed (as I expected). Only managed 5 pull-ups instead of the 6 required to pass. Not that it matters since I have plans to retake even if I had passed as I want to get a silver.
Anyway, I have a new ache - this one caused by my new wisdom tooth...
There's a numbing pain that is downright distracting and getting unbearable by the minute. Wonder what time the dental clinic opens.
Will I be able to sleep tonight?
School's bustling with excitement, with the CCA bazaar, students-organised games and other activities, food fair, etc. Indeed, SIM seems more like a fair this week, replete with life and energy. Everyone seemed so happy... I feel so out of place. All this gaiety surrounding me only serves to intensify my uncertainties and confusion. What is the right balance? Seeking...Answers...Seeking...Assurance...Sigh... Assurance... How ironic...What should I do tomorrow?
Today, we had our last session of Read-With-Me for this term. Jia Yu was his usual wretched self...but a tad more destructive. Twice he grabbed and crushed Aaron's song sheet. Thankfully, Aaron was more bemused than upset.
I worked with Wei Ming for the first time today. His situation was worse than I expected. He could hardly speak(or perhaps he was just afraid/reluctant to speak?), and his ability to comprehend instructions and questions was barely enough for him to learn from the session. Besides that, he was largely anti-social, refusing to share his puzzles with others... If only I had more knowledge for helping such underpriviledged children.
Joven has been a good student generally, interactive and easy to teach. I'm sure he would have a smooth transition to Primary 1. I'll definitely miss him, the way I'm missing Rong Zhuo and Chao Yuan. I'm sure they are coping well.
The Teachers' Day present this year is rather useless to me, and is now lying in the cupboard next to last year's Teachers' Day gift. I like the accompanying Delifrance peach tart though...
Looking forward to the trip to the fire station...
Missing: All those teachers who have made an impact in my life.
Sorely missing: Mrs Jennifer Lee and Ye lao shi (aka Mrs Tan Mui Luan).
