A painless open wound dressing

This morning, Abah was relieved. Cardiothoracic surgeon Mr. Mohamed Adib stood in for Tan Sri Mr. Yahya Awang and did the dressing on Abah. Although anesthethists Dato' Dr. Kathiresan was present, Abah was not sedated and fully conscious of the treatment. There was little pain.

Left: A pain-free wound dressing

He was utterly pleased!

The minimal pain means the wound has 'granulated' and has started healing. Soon, it will closed in. Soon afterwards, he enjoyed some steak-&-cheese 'sub' sandwich from Subway.

Soon afterwards, just before I went for Friday prayers, I encouraged Abah to do his 'walk-about', especially when he complained that he did not get good night's sleep. The blood circulation would do him good.

Aishah accompanied him and they went to the kiosk. Abah bought the latest edition of 'The Edge' while Aishah got some Disney comics.

Right: Casual reading at the main lobby

Then after the home-cooked curry fish and beef rendang lunch, Abah had a short nap.

After a successful CABG and heart valve surgery, cardiothoracic surgeon Tan Sri Mr. Yahya asked the SRN to take Abah to the cardiac HDU ward, where the wound dressings have been treated. That was almost eight.

He was happy with the progress and hope to discharge Abah by tomorrow morning.

Left: An experienced surgeon's personal touch, over small talk about 'speed reading'

That certainly called for a celebrations. I was dispatched to San Francisco Steakhouse, again to get another 300gm New York cut 'Rib eye'. In the haste of getting back to the hospital early, plus weaving through heavy Friday evening traffic in rain and the usual busy Friday evening crowd at any eatery, I accidentally left the mushroom sauce.

I know Abah was a bit disappointed without the sauce. Anyhow, he chewed down the whole 300 gm of prime beef cut!

We talked about reading and books again, for the third time. Yesterday, Tan Sri Mr. Yahya Awang passed me the Lt. Jen. (B) Jaafar Onn's book. This evening, was the third time I encouraged him to write his memoirs. His wealth of experience in cardiothoracic surgery in Malaysia is undoubtedly too valuable to not be documented. Most likely, Tan Sri Mr. Yahya have had the most cardiothoracic surgery patients in this country, since his days in the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital beginning 1983.

Right: Catching Tan Sri Mr. Yahya in the corridor

Of course, his most famous patient was then Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who had his CABG done in KLGH on 24 January 1989. Again, he performed another CABG on now former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 4 September 2007, in the purpose built hospital, IJN.

So many young and aspiring doctors shall benefit from the memoir. So many historian buff too. Personally, I hope Tan Sri Mr. Yahya Awang will make an attempt and complete his memoir. Today, the memoir on its own will be a first, in Malaysian history.