The day itself was long. In my shoes, it was never ending. Now, where was I?
As my colleague escorted me to his car, I tried my best to avoid staining the seat with my blood. My mind is very much awake as I explained what happened and asked where are we going next. Apparently we have to report to the police first before seeking further treatment at the hospital. Worst, we need to travel to the main station at city center. It sounds very much wrong but at that point I just take it as the correct answer since I have no experience in hit and run accidents and the procedures that follow. Thankfully the painkillers were doing a great job and I managed to maintain my composure throughout the journey as I try to hide my injuries. Imagine if you were driving beside and you saw someone pale and bloodied staring back with dead eyes. Needless to say it was horrible.
Next, imagine the driver getting a bit lost. The horribly injured man have to dig his phone and hold the navigator. I cannot be bothered to complain because I simply want to get treated soonest possible and that means lodging the police report first. Finally we made it there but another funny thing happened. I am supposed to walk in there myself as he went off to find parking. However, I guess there isn't much choice either. And so, with blood still fresh, I hobbled into the police station with people staring and curious people asking questions. I went through the door and to my horror there were a lot of people. I limped to an empty spot and just collapsed there. Needless to say, the officers there did not even bat an eyelid. Thankfully, my colleague came in after a while and we found out I can actually seek treatment first and lodge the report at the police box in the hospital. Away we go.
At the hospital the same thing happened. I limped through the emergency ward entrance and approached the first counter I saw. The officer is helpful and asked me to sit down there while he tends to his current case. Another health worker came by, asked about my condition and got me a wheelchair. I never sat on a wheelchair before. Can't say I was never curious but the price to pay is indeed too great. As I waited, suddenly a group of doctors in training walked in. I guess it is a common sight since this is an university hospital. They stared at me. To them, I must look like an interesting specimen. At this point, I could not be bothered anymore. The officer finished my initial registration and 2 helpful trainee doctors pushed me towards the next counter. At the same time, my colleague came in.
I was assigned a number and my colleague pushed me to the waiting area for outpatient treatment. I do not qualify for emergency treatment since I am very much conscious and without relatively serious injuries. I mean all my limbs are still intact at least. Since outpatient includes your everyday elderly uncle or sickly kids, it was very uncomfortable to be there to say the least. Staring is one thing but you get a lot of noise too. I started to get used to the pain. Maybe I am just numb. It felt like forever before my number flashed and I was rolled into the ward. The doctor in charge looked young. Too young in fact. But who am I to doubt the capabilities of one deemed qualified to be treating me? She peeled away some of the bandages to check the extent of the injuries. Hurt like hell. Asked me to try clenching both fists, move my arms and legs. Hurt like hell. Then she applied pressure to my chest and my stomach to try and detect internal injuries. Awkward. Like.
Once the diagnosis is finished, I was prescribed x-ray to check my wrist and skull, and a jab of painkillers on my butt. We went for the painkillers first. I have never gotten a needle to my butt. But how can it compare to the pain I am suffering currently I thought. It went better than expected and we went to wait for x-ray. I was staring at people and they stared back. Finally it was my turn and I was expecting a much more professional approach. They simply asked me to close my eyes when they are trying to take a x-ray of my skull. I think if I were to open my eyes even a bit I would be blinded for life. Wouldn't a special blindfold be much more reassuring and secure? I was rolled away when they are done, very unimpressed. Now we need to get back to the doctor to see the x-ray results.
My skull and wrist is safe and so I was given 3 days of medical leave, painkillers from the pharmacy and some wound cleaning at a separate ward. My colleague tried to ask for more leave but she claimed that is the max they are permitted to grant. I simply kept quiet. At the wound cleaning ward, my colleague went off to line up for the pharmacy and subsequently settle the bill while I waited for their shift to change. It was lunchtime. It has been around 4 hours since the accident. I am still complaining at least. Managed to have a chat with another patient waiting after me. He and his son were involved in an accident and his son was admitted into emergency arm due to a broken arm. He escaped with scrapes and bruises. I wished him well as the health officer asked me to enter. To my surprise, he simply dabbed yellow lotion and promptly escorted me out. The wounds are left fresh and raw, without dressing. What the hell?
That's it for today. I will blog again soonest possible. New job is very tiring.
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