SPECIAL EDITION

BILIK 1, HOSPITAL KOTA BHARU

I volunteered to watch over Siti Nor Hidayat, my little cousin, in the ward for suspected denggi  since my Uncle Din is bedridden and cannot be left unattended.

Having a thing for hospitals and all in it, (some subconsious link not analysed) it is a breeze for me. Making her take liquids  (water thrusted to her face every 30 mins and then 20 min intervals)popping cadbury chocolate in her mouth when she does not have appetite to eat, and changing it to keropok when she had enough cadbury, sponging her when the temp got too high, checking if the drip is dripping, like they say...a piece of cake. A other relatives thought I was 'queer' for looking as though I was enjoying it.

Bed 1, Norfatin, has renal failure. At 20 she can only take carbs and a small cup of water. So kesian. Measure intake, measure urine, it is not easy.  A student nurse, the other student nurses flocks to her bed and smother her with their 'care' and kept the ward really cheerful and noisy.

Bed 2. Siti Nor Hidayat, very high fever, suspected denggi and not proven till discharged. Lanky, pretty and serious.  The male nurses asked her if she is the one taking stpm at the hospital.  She is only 12.

Bed 3. Kak Ha whom I befriended and gave me many recipes.  Typhoid.  First few days of high fever, given no medication. Just sponging and sponging. I gave her coolents to put on forehead. When fever subsided, given many medication.  Must have a reason.

Bed 4. Name too faint to read. Swallowed 15 panadols at one go. Major tiff with mum. hmm..Won't change into hospital gear. Wears hospital shirt on her clothes.  Hmm...

Bed 5 Kak Mariam. Multiple sickness. Must have a big family. Her bedside companion  changes everynight, man, young man, boy, fat lady, thin lady.

Bed 6.  Wardina. Denggi. Comes with a husband who snores, hugs the wife alot, whispering and snuggling close that Kak Mariam closes the curtain on them.  Husband does not wake up until 12pm, with whole head covered in blanket, half body on chair, half body on bed.

Last night was so cold, I could not sleep at all. Went out from the ward, sat on a nurse's chair and read 'Sang Pemimpi' (his 4th book)  by Andrea Hirata till 5 am.

Today, after 4 days, Hidayat is discharged.