15 august 2007
singapore
yet again, i was hospitalised.. it was not as if i was looking forward to this ‘annual event’ but it was expected.. every year; since my first year returning from egypt to singapore, i would end up in a hospital.. now i’m already in my third year; also third time being hospitalised.. and three years in a row.. all for the same one reason which was, a lung infection which caused a high fever and chest tightness.. for short, i would just refer it as an asthma attack..
maybe it was because of the change of temperature.. my lung couldn’t handle the drastic change of egypt’s sahara dryness to the damp tropical weather..
but right now i’m not writing about a topic on ‘the hospital and I’ or anything about ‘the weather’.. i am about to uncover what troubles the minds of the hospitalised patients..
i was sent to a room shared with 5 other patients.. accidentally i overheard 3 of the patients’ conversations.. i was not eavesdropping.. the conversations were loud and clear.. besides, there was no tv in the room..
from the first patient occupying the bed infront of me, i could hear her talking on her handphone.. her conversation was like this “hello, i’m at the hospital right now.. i’ll be getting a surgery at my stomach in few minutes time.. so i need to take a leave.. *pause for awhile*.. yeah i tried finding someone to take over the job but couldn’t get anybody.. *pause again*.. i understand that i had left tonnes of work but i really need your help.. *pause again*.. ok, i’ll get back to you after the surgery.. thanx..”
from the second patient beside her, also a conversation on her handphone.. “hello.. i’m imran’s mother.. sorry i didnt come to school this morning.. i just had a surgery.. imran told me that he wanted to retake his exam.. *pause for awhile*.. he told me that i need to see the principal but i couldnt make it.. i’m at the hospital.. *pause again*.. yes please consider that.. i am very grateful.. thank you..”
from the third patient beside my bed.. she was talking to her friend who visited her.. it was more to like confiding in that friend of hers.. it also sounded like a complaint.. and so she said.. “i couldnt take it anymore in that office.. the fella is really selfish and irresponsible.. and who got the blame?.. i did.. i thought of quitting the job.. maybe after recovering, i will find a new job.. this office politic is stressing me out..”
hmmm.. i pity them.. when can they actually rest..
and so.. there goes.. stress of sickness.. or is it.. sick of stressfulness..
well, what can i say?..
now i’m scared to finish up my studies and to enter their world.. 
