Story of Ning #7

Now, where was I ... oh yeah, surprises ... I should put more effort on this, really ...

At the cashier counter, it was most fortunate that I was seated as my knees weakened upon learning the total hospital costs for wife plus baby, it amounted to 16 thousand plus ringgit, and to think we're not even in a private institution. For a salaried worker like me, that's crazy amount of money. Upon reviewing the itemized bill, due to the escalation to emergency case, full charges were applied to the normal delivery, then cesarean plus emergency procedures. Ouch.

After a short chat with the wife on charges, we were on our way to the confinement center. It was a quiet drive, as a lot were playing within our respective minds. And once again, it was time to utilize the magical card that enables one to utilize money one does not have - and this time, the transaction was rejected, my first ever credit limit breach. Thank goodness to my recent positive credit ratings *proud* and I was back to swiping aimlessly again after a phone call. I had flashbacks of the time when I was living in credit, managing only minimum payments each month, sending shivers down my spine. 

On the confinement center, this 'gem' deserves a post on its own, and yes, the inverted comma is there for a reason.

Back to hospital in the evening and it felt that we made the right decision in engaging this particular center. Although the most expensive option, but the close proximity between these two locations kind of justified the cost back then. Baby Ning had just fell asleep, still with assistance from sleeping medication. She seems more relaxed now and less yellowish as well, reducing the concern of jaundice *phew*. The nurse on duty passed me the direct contact number for NICU, informing me that I can call in anytime for updates if unable to visit. A number that was very much underutilized. 

Knowing that baby Ning is in good hands now (one nurse to two babies max leh) plus repeated reassurances, gave me renewed confidence on her recovery. I felt less tensed now, though still yet to recover any of my appetite (dinner consists of a few bites of leftovers from the wife) nor sleep cycles.

Fast forward to the next day, upon wrapping her up like a mummy with hoodie, scarf, gloves, socks and the likes, due to repeated warning to ensure the wife 'tak kena angin', we made our way to the hospital. And lady luck was by our side (more like her side, I guess), as the PD was just making his rounds when we arrived, hence some live updates - had him switched to mandarin mode hoping the wife would be able to catch on, compared to the difficulties I had with his speed briefing in English *laughs*. But alas, the outcome was similar.

Well, the few key points we eventually consolidated were, 24 hours monitoring, to 'downgrade' the equipment based on her progress (CPAP in queue), hospitalization duration still unknown - could be days, or weeks and cannot be rushed. It does help that my job relates to sleep business as I was able to catch on to most of the medical jargon *proud*. Some hours later, after much pestering, back to the center we go.

Over the next few days, my routine was pretty much fixed to commuting between the center and hospital and our homes, and having leftover food for meals. Free food equates to money not spent, and money not spent equates to money saved. Every single cents counts now. Sounds 'kelian', but the food was actually okay.

I was back in NICU after dinner and there he was again, making his rounds. To my pleasant surprise, baby Ning was no longer attached to the ventilator, and according to the PD, that was since 3 pm and she has been making good progress, her milk intake (tube feeding) as well as discharge were normal as well and she was no longer on sleeping medication. Unfortunately, still pretty much nude expect for the diapers and beanie, due to all the monitoring attachments. 

It was almost midnight when my phone rang, jolting me awake from my drifts between sleep and reality. It was the PD (many encounters today) and at this point of time, I was still referred to as father of wife's name's baby, as he started updating me on the baby Ning's improving condition, the oxygen feed percentage, next steps, etc. A short but condensed call and I found out the next morning that he called the wife initially, but she failed to receive his call in time *laughs*.

And the saga continues.