It was planned in such a rush that I had to leave home at 10pm (Friday) with my cousin. My grandmother had been hospitalised due to Lungs Infections on Wednesday night, and many of them thought she might go anytime. She's 81 this year. Thank god, her condition stabilised after the 3rd day in the hospital.
I have never been to a General Hospital before this. But now I have seen, heard, and smelled what is it like being in a general hospital. Honestly, it wasn't that bad IMO. My grandmother was put in a wad which had almost 50-60 beds that were divided into male and female sections, and almost everybed was occupied with patients. Though the toilets werent in the best conditions, the floors were sterilised everyday (at least from what i'd seen).
Patients there were of various age group and backgrounds - the teens ( 15 year old swallowed 20 aspirins to attempt suicide ), the middle-income ( unfortunate accident cases, kidney failures), the olds (old age,lungs infection,food poisoning), the criminals ( they were escorted by policemen, apparently they had a fight) etc.
Whats most intriguing to me was the doctor:nurse:patients ratio. There were hardly enough qualified doctors/nurses on duty; yet they still managed to keep the patients alive. That is why GH is the best place for future student doctors to learn i guess, as there was never a time where they had enough docs. ( btw I saw PMC students there everyday, taking notes, doing some practical works and learning the skills required by a doctor; and that was the time i started thinking about becoming a doctor..hmmmm..)
Everytime a patient leaves the bed ie death/discharge, a new patient comes in. And if you stood at the emergency entrance, you would see patients coming at the rate of 1 every ~30 minutes. Thats scary!
Ok, I have diverted too much from my topic.
Anyway, the hectic time of standing by my grandmother's side (no chair) for few hours had been replaced by Penang's delicacies.
Frankly, Penang has become Extremely commercialised. You can never find the good 'ol o-chien (fried oyster with egg) or Asam Laksa or Curry mee at Gurney Drive or tourist attractions. You can still get them there, but they are not as nice as before. Thank god I had my cousins to bring me into smaller town areas to taste the original recipies. I HAD 5 FREAKIN' MEALS EVERYDAY!!! FELT LIKE HEAVEN !! =)
Typical meals :
Branch with family(so fast?..YUP) - Rice, home cooked food
Lunch with cousin (yes its that quick) - Indian Mee Goreng, Sar-hor-fun, Assam Laksa
Tea with cousin ( once more ) - Ice kacang, Mua Chi, Hokkien mee
Dinner with family ( 2 hours break Thank GOd) - Loads of food.
Supper with cousin ( Still going...yum) - O-chien, Yee min, Sate, Chee Cheong fun
Thats 6 meals already!!!
Trust me, you think you've had enough, but when the food comes, you start to pinch, and eventually own it. Furthermore, food there are not THAT expenssive. Its almost like 'Eat all you want!' kind of concept. BUt then again, it depends on where it is.
Looks like i have to resume jogging REALLY soon now.
I wonder what my dance teacher will say when he sees me...
"you've put on weight!!!"
Quote of the day : BUY INSURANCE!! You wouldnt want to go to GH in the future!
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