As we arrived I was wheeled into the A&E Unit and all they gave me was painkillers. And every time I complaint that I was still in pain; they just gave me MORE painkillers. It was the same radiating pain in the whole right leg and every time it just got more and more intense. I was literally screaming in pain and asking for help. Up to a point; one of the nurses said, "We have given you all the painkillers we have on the list!". Duh, but I was still in pain!?!? But I later found that they actually have one more up their sleeve - morphine... haha! That really works. I feel no more pain... I feel nothing... I feel goooood... I just threw up once in the beginning then I was okay...
By then Shahfree, our Student Advisor who is based in London already got the message and rushed to the hospital to make sure that I was alright. He even brought me nasi lemak! It was indeed very calming to see a familiar countrymen's face and that the next time I close my eyes, at least someone will know who I am and where I was. I also made the one call to S.O.S. International (PETRONAS guys - never go on business travel without your SOS Card!) and they got the ball rolling. Hakimi (another colleague) and wife also turned up later and brought further relief. They left only after I seemed a bit stable and I assured them that I was going to be okay.
Throughout the day I was contemplating whether I should tell my wife or not about what happened to me. I know that at some point I would have to tell her anyway but I just don't want to spook her until I really know what was going to happen to me. But I also know that I would not be able to hold it for long because she knew that I should have been in Milan by now and must be wondering why I did not send any messages or make any calls to tell her that I have arrived. I have nothing to do but lying down in the hospital bed so all I did was think and think. I thought about my kids; about what is going to happen to them if something happened to me. I thought about all the time I have spent travelling for work and how I have spent so little time for my family and for myself. I thought about how this could be a message for me to slow down... as I drifted to sleep I dreamt happy dreams...
I woke up the next morning in a bit of panic - I couldn't feel both my legs (and everything else in between!). It was scary!!! I told the nurses about it and they told me just to try to walk around to get the blood flowing.They were even talking about discharging me because I seemed okay at that time. I said to them, "Where am I supposed to go?"... and added, "I'm not even supposed to be here!" I have a feeling they just want me out of the A&E. I learnt later that the hospital is obliged to treat me, eventhough I am not covered by the NHS (UK's National Health Scheme), whenever a visitor is under an emergency case. I believe that if they were to put me into the normal ward then it could be an issue because I still have not settled about the insurance etc.
I made my way a couple of times to the toilet with great difficulties. I even have difficulty passing urine. By the time a doctor came for the morning round I told him how I felt and he then scheduled an MRI for the afternoon. In between, I was just waiting helplessly and restlessly... I finally sent my first message home just to let my wife know that I didn't make it to Milan but not to worry as I'm sure this is just one of those short episode. I told her I'll be home soon but the truth is I really don't know what was going to happen to me. But I still had time to snap a pic on my BlackBerry and post it on Facebook...! I wouldn't blame anyone who saw my Facebook status and thought that it was nothing serious and I was doing fine. Really, I shouldn't have smiled...
Later in the afternoon the MRI went fine except holding my leg still was quite difficult and made it even more painful. They sent me back to my bed and more waiting and waiting for me. The next thing I knew, the doctor came around to tell me that they're taking me to Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. He also explained that they had sent the MRI result to the neuro specialist in Charing Cross Hospital and he asked for me to be brought there immediately. I was beginning to suspect that this is not going to be good. My suspicion was confirmed when as he slide the curtain surrounding my bed, the ambulance crew was already there waiting! Everything happened so fast. While I was being wheeled out, I managed to grab a piece of paper and wrote three numbers for the nurse to call - my wife, Shahfree and S.O.S. At least someone would know where to find me later.
Come to think of it, I wasn't really in a panic mode. It must be the morphine. I still had time to snap another pic and posted it on Facebook with a comment, "The ambulance ride! Cool...!". In which, only much later I got to know; is the reason why no one thought I was in a serious condition...
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