Emergency Room Experience
No, it wasn’t at all like how it’s shown on American TV shows. But then, American TV has a way of over-dramatising things.
Or maybe it was just a quiet night. Or maybe that’s how it’s done here in Malaysia. Especially this particular hospital.
In any case, it was very soothing. The nurses were very helpful. But the most amazing thing about the whole experience was mother’s response.
We had to leave mother with the nurses who ran some tests on her. Previously, she would fuss if she doesn’t see us around, and would start calling for us. Not last night. Throughout, not a squeak from her.
It is probably the medication she is on. They are supposed to calm her. Looks like they’re doing the job.
When it was all done, she told the nurses they were good girls. One of them looked amused. They’ve probably never come across someone with dementia. But they handled mother’s case very well.
Thank you, night nurses on duty at Assunta Hospital on Thursday, 16 September 2004.
Initially, the doctor said mother might have to be admitted. But that they were still carrying out the various tests. Too early to tell. Why did he ask to speak with us, then? It only got us more worried.
Eventually, the tests isolated a possible cause, which we followed up on this afternoon. And mother didn’t have to be admitted last night.
I just spoke with a friend who works in ER, and he says it can be hell most of the time, and that it depends on whether it’s a government or private hospital, and where it’s located. Okay, so what I saw last night was not typical Malaysian ER scene. Not that I was looking for one.
