I can walk !!! (cont'd)

"Work" had to be started, not only all over again, but from minus square one!!.

Franklin worked magic with his hands. I felt better each time I leave the clinic. But the "magic" got eroded with passing days. Fortunately, the residual "magic" was accumulative. After a number of physiotherapy sessions, the Pain on my left said goodbye and left me. The right side of my body remained hurtful but made good progress.

Then DISASTER struck without the any warning.

It came in the form of a sudden weakness in my right leg.

"P-R-O-N-K", I fell suddenly. The fall sent me crashing heavily, hard & fast onto the concrete floor.

When it happened, Ling, was happily chatting and walking besides me.

Upon recovering from her surprise, she tried unsuccessfully to pick me up. (Try picking up a size 18 female who is neither light nor petite) The pain at my swollen, right knee was excruciating. I tried standing with her help . She laughed at the funny situation that we were in.

"Don't laugh at me", I chided, but couldn't stop myself from giggling.

2 male staff on the premises where I fell, borrowed a wheelchair from the concierge. Then they helped Ling to help me, into the wheelchair & later got us into a taxi.

At the clinic, I wasn't unduely concerned. The X-ray that was done, showed no broken bones. The doctor send me home with some pain killers. Both the doctor and I ignorantly, expected my early recovery.

As my knee/knee cap were recovering, I tried standing. BUT the moment I stepped on the floor, a sharp pain shot down from my back to my right foot, bringing tears to my eyes.

I went to the doctor again.

The doctor referred me for "an early appointment" to see an orthopaedic surgeon -- An appointment that I rejected. The "early appointment" (big joke) was to be 3 weeks later!! It was also one week later than the day that the orthopaedic surgeon (who was treating my initial pain in my back, butt and leg) at the hospital was to review me. Moreover, my faith in doctors, particularly orthopaedic surgeons, had been much eroded over the past 15 years. Experience told me that they are "scapel happy" and are the last people to consider any alternatives to surgery.

Further, I was due to see Franklin.

The sight of Franklin with his ready smile, was enough to raise my low spirit 2 notches up. He contained his surprise to see me, in a wheelchair. Then he took over the wheelchair from my maid, wheeled me into the privacy of a consultation room before asking what had happened to me.

As Franklin re-assessed me, I shared my fear of a long confinement in the wheelchair. I was then when he responded in a comforting tone and assured me that I should eventually walk without any aids.

He was right.

I could walked again, without any form of help/support. (Albeit for a short distance)

In the interim, I was seen by the orthopaedic surgeon. I was still in the wheelchair then. After hearing about my fall, and that the X-ray showed no broken bones, he ordered for a "MRI" to be done before seeing me again. (Appointment: next month). During that consultation, the good doctor spent, all of 2 minutes with me.

On the other hand, I spent 3/4 of an hour in the process of registering/waiting to see the doctor. An equal amount of time was spent in making payment, getting appointment for the next review & appointment for "MRI". The collection of pain killers from the pharmacy took 28 minutes. Total time spent at the hospital: 3 and a half hours.

If I'm to take into consideration that I was escorted/assisted by my brother, the number of hours (for two persons) doubled to 7 hours. That is equivalent to almost a full day's work for a working adult.

I wondered how many work-days were thus lost, DAILY, in the various hospitals' corridors.

How much does this loss in time costs the economy??

I can walk!!!

Jun 29th, 2007

This morning, I found that I could walk independently!!

I walked without supporting myself with a quad stick!!.

EVEN though the distance covered was short. EVEN though my right leg chosed to give way within a minute or so of the walking.

I was thrilled to bits to find that my therapist’s assurance that I would eventually WALK, came true.

His “prediction” came as a comfort and assurance when he noted my fear of being confined to a wheelchair.

Most importantly, I OWE MY RECOVERY to him, physiotherapist, Mr. Franklin Chng of Emmanuel Physiotherapy.

“Call me Franklin” he said as self introduction, when we first met, during the end of 2006.

Meeting Franklin was by chance/fate.

I had a dull ache in my left shoulder. I saw different doctors and Chinese "sinsehs" without improvement. Then I developed a pain in my left lower back, butt and leg. Finally a doctor decided to refer me to an orthopaedic surgeon at a hospital. He, in turn, referred me to the physiotherapist who would see me 2 weeks later.

Elder daughter, Peng, suggested that in the meanwhile, I should seek alternative treatment at the chiropractor. When I went there, the chiropractor's clinic was closed for lunch break. Just next door, Emmanuel Physiotherapy was opened.

Franklin, a tall, handsome, young man, greeted me warmly as I stepped in. I informed him of my symptoms and enquired whether Emmanuel Physiotherapy could treat me. He responded in the afirmative & brought me into one of the consultation/therapy room.

As I laid down onto the examination couch for his examination, I remembered being nervous. At home, any movement would bring on pain. I wasn't sure what he was going to do by way of treatment & whether it was going to be painful. Franklin, in his soft, gentle, reassuring and professional manner, put me at ease. He was very careful & skilful as he moved me/my limbs.

After the examination/assessment, he proceeded with massaging a certain spot on my neck. 5 minutes or so, later, my right shoulder was okay!! (Remember: It was troubling me for months & I'd been to various doctors & Chinese "sinseh" to no avail.)

The pain in my left lower back, butt & leg was reduced.

Over the months that I “worked” with Franklin, he never failed to smile, regardless of how hectic his clinic was. His boss, another pleasant, cheerful physiotherapist, must be making a bundle. Slowly, under Franklin's care and management, my pain was almost gone.

Then I developed a bad cough which led to an asthma attack that required my hospitalization.

Upon discharged, I found that the right side of my body decided on replicating my condition on my left! Talk about a double whammy!!

(To be continued)