Gut Instinct

For many years now, my mother has been complaining of bloating, gastric reflux, low appetite and weak digestion. Nothing was pin-pointed. Nothing was diagnosed. And with the recent news that her elder sister is stricken with liver cancer has drummed more worry into her. As a result, I brought to Pantai Hospital for a body checkup. Just a case of high cholesterol (even I have it, :(), but seeing that there is a family history of cancer (my maternal grandma died of suspected stomach cancer some thirty years ago), the doctor recommended her to do a more detailed checkup. So, we were pointed to Tung Shin Hospital to see their general surgeon cum hepato-billiary specialist.

Took one of my replacement leave that I earned working on weekends to accompany my mother and to avoid my leave becoming something that is "can see but cannot eat". We arrived there at 10:00am to get an earlier number. The doctor arrived at 11:00am, but that's OK since his nurse already warned us about that. By the time he saw my mum, it was nearly noon. Really a pleasant doctor. Indian, but speaks fluent cantonese. Uses medical terms that even I do not know. He suggested a full barrage if tests including a blood test for tumour markers, an endoscopy and an ultrasound. The blood test was normal, but the endoscopy revealed that my mum has gastritis. The doctor showed me the red dots all over her gastric lining. They pinched out two tissue samples from her stomach (like some evil grappling hook), which were later found positive for Helicobacter pylori.

After mum had recovered from the procedure, I brought her to do the ultrasound at the imaging department. They forgot about her, so we stupidly waited for 45 minutes. Having settled that (results were normal), we quickly went to eat at the cafeteria as mum had fasted for 15 hours already! The food was quite tasty and cheap. But perhaps my hunger amplified whatever virtue it had. Luckily the ultrasound film was developed faster than expected and we went back to consult the doctor.

More waiting as he had left for the operating theater. By the time he got back, it was nearly five. He prescribed my mum some antibiotics for the infection and we were on our way. It was our first experience at Tung Shin, and I must say that the nurses are very helpful and efficient. They would always keep us informed. Surpisingly not grumpy and cranky. The only bad service I encountered was at the imaging department. Expenses racked up for the day:

MYR895

Considered cheap for health and peace of mind.

Comments

Anonymous said…
very true and you can also claim it back next year for income tax :)
Katetricia said…
glad every thing was alright

mine didn't went so smooth. I had to pay repeated to the hospitals.

Funny,
each of the hospitals gave me different results, kinda making me more worried.

Doc finally came conclusion that is not related to stomach, but ovary. I have the same symptoms with your mom though.

Do keep us update after her in dose on antibiotic.
Jaded Jeremy said…
Ahhh H. pylori. Well, at least that's quite easy to treat. Hope your mother recover soon.
Little Dove said…
Your mother is lucky to have a son like you. Very loving.
Medie007 said…
my GOD!

so so so so so so so epensive!!!!
Ganymede said…
Wow. That sure gave you quite a scare huh?

Hope mommy is better now. :)

Oh yes to Income Tax claims~~~
William said…
@JL:
Thanks for reminding me!

@Kate:
Ovary? Hmmm. Hope you're better now. She finishes her course of amoxcillin and flagyl today. Follow up next week.

@JJ:
Thanks JJ.

@LittleD:
**blush**

@AhB:
Itulah... doctor charge mahal2.

@QueerR:
It's always the anxiety of waiting for results.

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