Prime Minister-designate Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is still avoiding swearing in but latest inside sources (via whatsapp from people with inside connections) says he will be sworn in at 5 pm today.
Malaysians look forward to a new beginning with the Pakatan Harapan Government.
My wife and I would have missed the election because we were scheduled to fly back from Zagreb, Croatia only today, after a 3-week holiday through Europe which would have taken us to Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin and then 10 days in Croatia and Slovenia.
Three days before our scheduled departure to Amsterdam, my blood pressure collapsed at the ER of the Seberang Jaya Hospital and doctors had to bring back from the brink of death. If I had been anywhere but the ER, I might have lived to see another day.
Through CT Scan, it was discovered that I had a benign tumour called an angiomyolipoma (AML) which is usually associated with the kidneys. I was fortunate that the Penang General Hospital equipped to undertake an embolisation procedure stop the internal bleeding from the tumour as well as to block off nutrients feeding the tumour. The size of the tumour is huge (14 cm) and extends to touch the body walls.
After the procedure, the tumour is supposed to shrink (doctors says to 60-70%) of it's original size. On 30th May, I will undergo another CT Scan so that the urology specialist can decide on the next course of action.
My wife says I getting a new lease of life. I promise to come healthier and stronger.
I am writing a long version of my medical crisis. I think there is much which everyone can learn to perhaps be more aware and be better prepared. I will share it when it is done.
Meanwhile, this is the short version which I send out to family and friends about 10 days after it happened:
Dear Family & Friends
I am sitting on the 19th floor balcony of an apartment of dear friends at Gurney Drive enjoying my second life.
10 days ago, an abnormal blood vessel ruptured in my abdomen, causing a severe bleed. My blood pressure plunged and I went into shock. Luckily for me I was already at the Emergency Unit at Seberang Jaya Hospital and the crack team of doctors stabilised me within minutes. I have no doubt I would not be writing this if I hadn’t been near emergency services.
A CT Scan revealed a 14cm tumour called AML Angiomyolipoma sitting on top of my left kidney. Most of you will not have heard of it. It is made up of fatty tissues, underdeveloped muscles and veins. It is benign. It is usually discovered in the course of scanning for other problems.
In my case, it started to bleed spontaneously. The cell structure is very unstable. But there is no external signs of bleeding.
On the morning it happened, protrusions about 4 inches long appeared on the left side of my belly. I foolishly commented to my wife that it’s the beginnings of my six-pack. After lunch severe pain started to develop. A medical doctor friend advised us to head straight for the Emergency Centre at Seberang Jaya Hospital. Best advice. My blood pressure crashed within the hour due to severe bleeding. I had 8 packs of blood transfusion over the next four days.
The next day, I was transferred to the Penang General Hospital to undergo embolisation to stop the bleeding and to block the supply of blood to the tumour. It was a success. The specialists stayed up passed midnight to attend to my case.
My body is severely weakened. Recovery will be slow and long. But specialists at Penang GH have checked all vital organs and given it the thumbs up. Half my left kidney had to be sacrificed and will shrivel but my other kidney is fully functional. Surprisingly, the specialists, after blood test, said they don’t plan to put me on medication for diabetes or cholesterol but to control my diet. My persistence resisting sugar and sweet food over the years is paying off.
I am writing this short note to raise awareness.
If I do not respond to your calls and messages, please bear with me. I need lots of rest. But my second life will be fitter.
Please donate blood.
Lee Lik Meng
24th April 2018 in Penang
I am sitting on the 19th floor balcony of an apartment of dear friends at Gurney Drive enjoying my second life.
10 days ago, an abnormal blood vessel ruptured in my abdomen, causing a severe bleed. My blood pressure plunged and I went into shock. Luckily for me I was already at the Emergency Unit at Seberang Jaya Hospital and the crack team of doctors stabilised me within minutes. I have no doubt I would not be writing this if I hadn’t been near emergency services.
A CT Scan revealed a 14cm tumour called AML Angiomyolipoma sitting on top of my left kidney. Most of you will not have heard of it. It is made up of fatty tissues, underdeveloped muscles and veins. It is benign. It is usually discovered in the course of scanning for other problems.
In my case, it started to bleed spontaneously. The cell structure is very unstable. But there is no external signs of bleeding.
On the morning it happened, protrusions about 4 inches long appeared on the left side of my belly. I foolishly commented to my wife that it’s the beginnings of my six-pack. After lunch severe pain started to develop. A medical doctor friend advised us to head straight for the Emergency Centre at Seberang Jaya Hospital. Best advice. My blood pressure crashed within the hour due to severe bleeding. I had 8 packs of blood transfusion over the next four days.
The next day, I was transferred to the Penang General Hospital to undergo embolisation to stop the bleeding and to block the supply of blood to the tumour. It was a success. The specialists stayed up passed midnight to attend to my case.
My body is severely weakened. Recovery will be slow and long. But specialists at Penang GH have checked all vital organs and given it the thumbs up. Half my left kidney had to be sacrificed and will shrivel but my other kidney is fully functional. Surprisingly, the specialists, after blood test, said they don’t plan to put me on medication for diabetes or cholesterol but to control my diet. My persistence resisting sugar and sweet food over the years is paying off.
I am writing this short note to raise awareness.
If I do not respond to your calls and messages, please bear with me. I need lots of rest. But my second life will be fitter.
Please donate blood.
Lee Lik Meng
24th April 2018 in Penang
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| With my wife on Election Day, GE14 before going to the voting station. It was my first outing after coming back from the hospital more than 2 weeks earlier |
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| At Tina's apartment along Gurney Drive, the day after discharge from Penang General Hospital |
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| Old friend from USM days came to visit |
The People Who Saved My Life (ebook).
The ePub version is good for iPhones and apple notebooks but also with any ePub reader. ThePeopleWhoSavedMyLife.epub
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