Wheel and wait in room, hope and thrill so cold;
Roll out thick blankets, body cold to hold.
The gem in the heart, need to find an art;
Thinking pull apart, learn to be less smart.
Feel hurt for the wound, be simple and ask;
Blow out hot air in fold, unmask in the task.
Kindness warms relate, learn to be humble;
Gratitude to all, no space to grumble.
Stay awake whole night, the joy in good hands;
No rules are perfect, calm to know your stand.
Balance and adjust ego, the switch in control;
Living takes its toll, the soul has a hole.
Short to lock bear hug, long arm to knock off.
Devout vain to doubt, good to laugh out loud.
Note:
At operation time, I was wheeled out through the narrow corridors of the ward, and entered a cooler anesthetic room, passing through identity check. There I was alone with many patients prepared for their turn. It was so cold. I shivered and asked for another blanket, and was given on request. The freeze did not improve. I seemed to see my hope and destiny sinking. I prayed to the Triple Gem, apologized for forgiveness for any harm done to another being. I requested help, and told the assistants around that I felt cold despite the extra blankets. They blew some hot air into the blanket folds. I feel the warmth fast, and the heart regains confidence , and rejuvenation regained. I thanked all sincerely. The anesthesiologist came more than half an hour late, and very apologetic. I thanked him for coming all the way to help. Prior to the operation, the systolic pressure shot up to 190, and was told not to worry, for they could handle. The next moment, I was partially awakened and was in my room, hearing my wife and daughter voices.
I discharged myself a day or two earlier, mainly because I could not sleep or rest at all. Despite the nurses kept changing my pampers so often, my bottom was always soaked and wet. The pumping machines for DVT prevention are really disturbing. Moreover my BP has risen to risky level in the night, perhaps the duration of effectiveness has gone. The doctors were concerned the high reading may start an AF, with thrombo-embolism.
The sonnet was a personal journey in healing, living through diseases in hospital. Kindness and compassion is a divine gift, shared by all. I am also trying to relate what I have read and what happens in my daily life. There is excessive division in the world, and we must learn how to bridge the division and find unity in diversities.
I wrote my poetry to express my gratitude to my two surgeons (Dr. Lessie Leong and Dr. Tho ), anesthesiologist and Dr. Terrence Quah), nurses and other staffs in the wards,, physiotherapists and many who offered their kindness and humane help. You observe kindness permeates everywhere.
Some pictures were copied-pasted from the web, not for any commercial gain, but to assist students who read my poetry.