• schedule your appointment 2 weeks After the start of your period
• avoid sex 48 hrs before the test
• do not use spermicides, vaginal creams, lubricant jellies, vaginal medications or tampons 48 hrs before the test
• wear a 2-piece outfit as you will need to undress from the waist down.
This was extract from a brouchure sent to me by the Health Promotion Board. Seriously, I didn't know about the "avoid sex" part. Shall keep that in mind for my next pap smear. :p
personally, I would like to add another point - remember to do a Brazilian wax few days before the test :p
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Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Blood x Poo
** continued from previous post **
Dr Khoo bid goodbye and he seems very enthusiastic to operate me tomorrow.
Hubby and I then went to the administration department to do some paperwork. Over there, the staff asked about my medical history and penned it down. And I was asked to do a blood test.
It was a NIGHTMARE and I had to do it twice.
Here's the story:
The first doctor was a young sweet-looking female and had an "assistant" behind her. She asked, "Hi Miss Lim, I'm Dr XX. Would you mind if my assistant - a medical student, draw your blood?"
I was baffled with both my eyes wide opened, "Huh.. Can don't want? Because my blood is not easy to draw."
She understood and tied a rubber glove around my right arm. She poked my right forearm TWICE with the scary needle and NO blood was coming out no matter how hard she tried.
WAH LIAO EH.
Does she know what SHE is doing?
Still have the balls to ask me to let a medical student to draw my blood.
She panicked and asked the doctor next door for help.
Luckily, the more experienced male doctor used a velcro strip on my left arm and managed to drew a significant amount of blood on his first try.
After the blood test, I went to another room to do my paper for the check-in tomorrow. I chose to stay in A ward since the difference from the B ward is just a few hundred dollars. I get to have a toilet for my own use and Hubby will be able to stay overnight. Besides, both wards are just as expensive.
A ward - SGD6,000+
B ward - SGD5,000+
All in all, we spent a good 7 hours in the hospital. 70% of the time was spent waiting.
Hubby helped me to get my laxatives from the pharmacy. Yes, we need to get it on our own with the doctor's prescription. And it's really cheap! $3+ for 2 bottles.
The first bottle was taken while on our way to Jean Yip to cut Hubby's hair. It tasted like concentrated salt water. I had to drink it in 4 portion as it was wayyyyy too salty.
I stayed in the car to nap while Hubby went for his haircut.
After my nap, Hubby returned to the car with a fresh new look. :) By then, I wasn't feeling well... my tummy started to make some noise and I farted alot. I need to use the toilet badly!
Hubby drove like a mad man in the heavy traffic. I think he's afraid that I will poo in his car! Or my farts are driving him crazy. Hahaha...
Hubby took only 7 mins to reach home. Yeah!
Sitting on the toilet bowl sent a sense of relieve to my whole body. But my poo wasn't diarrhoea. It was water! But of course it wasn't as clear as water lah. You know.. it still has some shade of dirty orange?
Uhem..
Anyway... the water thingy continued for a couple of times until I left home for a dinner appointment at 7.30pm with my family + Hubby family.
I remembered that I had to take another laxatives at 7pm. So I took it in the car on the way to the dinner venue.
Really... It wasn't a really smart thing to do.
During the whole dinner, I went to the toilet until I had lost count. And towards the end I didn't eat anything at all, even a sip of the Chinese tea will send me to toilet.
The laxatives made me very thirsty and I had to drink tons of water. Which is not a good thing.. because I had to go to the toilet to let out all those water as well. :(
Technically, my late meal was a quick snack of Mac at 4pm just before my first bottle of laxatives. I was glad that I ate a Mac meal before the nightmare begins.
Also, I was instructed not to eat or drink anything after 12 midnight. Oh well.. I slept early. Thanks to all the trips to the toilet that made me so exhausted. Share this post:
Dr Khoo bid goodbye and he seems very enthusiastic to operate me tomorrow.
Hubby and I then went to the administration department to do some paperwork. Over there, the staff asked about my medical history and penned it down. And I was asked to do a blood test.
It was a NIGHTMARE and I had to do it twice.
Here's the story:
The first doctor was a young sweet-looking female and had an "assistant" behind her. She asked, "Hi Miss Lim, I'm Dr XX. Would you mind if my assistant - a medical student, draw your blood?"
I was baffled with both my eyes wide opened, "Huh.. Can don't want? Because my blood is not easy to draw."
She understood and tied a rubber glove around my right arm. She poked my right forearm TWICE with the scary needle and NO blood was coming out no matter how hard she tried.
WAH LIAO EH.
Does she know what SHE is doing?
Still have the balls to ask me to let a medical student to draw my blood.
She panicked and asked the doctor next door for help.
Luckily, the more experienced male doctor used a velcro strip on my left arm and managed to drew a significant amount of blood on his first try.
After the blood test, I went to another room to do my paper for the check-in tomorrow. I chose to stay in A ward since the difference from the B ward is just a few hundred dollars. I get to have a toilet for my own use and Hubby will be able to stay overnight. Besides, both wards are just as expensive.
A ward - SGD6,000+
B ward - SGD5,000+
All in all, we spent a good 7 hours in the hospital. 70% of the time was spent waiting.
xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo
Hubby helped me to get my laxatives from the pharmacy. Yes, we need to get it on our own with the doctor's prescription. And it's really cheap! $3+ for 2 bottles.
The first bottle was taken while on our way to Jean Yip to cut Hubby's hair. It tasted like concentrated salt water. I had to drink it in 4 portion as it was wayyyyy too salty.
I stayed in the car to nap while Hubby went for his haircut.
After my nap, Hubby returned to the car with a fresh new look. :) By then, I wasn't feeling well... my tummy started to make some noise and I farted alot. I need to use the toilet badly!
Hubby drove like a mad man in the heavy traffic. I think he's afraid that I will poo in his car! Or my farts are driving him crazy. Hahaha...
Hubby took only 7 mins to reach home. Yeah!
Sitting on the toilet bowl sent a sense of relieve to my whole body. But my poo wasn't diarrhoea. It was water! But of course it wasn't as clear as water lah. You know.. it still has some shade of dirty orange?
Uhem..
Anyway... the water thingy continued for a couple of times until I left home for a dinner appointment at 7.30pm with my family + Hubby family.
I remembered that I had to take another laxatives at 7pm. So I took it in the car on the way to the dinner venue.
Really... It wasn't a really smart thing to do.
During the whole dinner, I went to the toilet until I had lost count. And towards the end I didn't eat anything at all, even a sip of the Chinese tea will send me to toilet.
The laxatives made me very thirsty and I had to drink tons of water. Which is not a good thing.. because I had to go to the toilet to let out all those water as well. :(
Technically, my late meal was a quick snack of Mac at 4pm just before my first bottle of laxatives. I was glad that I ate a Mac meal before the nightmare begins.
Also, I was instructed not to eat or drink anything after 12 midnight. Oh well.. I slept early. Thanks to all the trips to the toilet that made me so exhausted. Share this post:
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
1st Operation in my life
**updated on 14 Nov**
In one of my older posts, I mentioned that I went to the A&E clinic in Raffles Medical Bugis on the 13th October for my severe menstrual cramps. There, the 1st doctor gave me 2 injections to ease the cramps and 2 days of MC.
But the drama doesn't end there.
After 5 days, the pain on my left side of my pelvis didn't went away, so I had to visit a 2nd doctor. He advised me to go for an ultrasound scan of my pelvis and wrote a referral letter for me to do so.
8 days later, after my SQ12, I headed to do the scan at Orchard Building.
To prepare for the pelvis scan, you will have to drink plenty of water to fill your bladder so that the scan will be accurate. It's really not easy as I have to force myself not to urinate on the bed whenever pressure is added on my pelvis.
When the scan was over, I had to quickly look for a toilet. Luckily, the toilets were vacant. Otherwise, I would really pee in my pants!
After waiting for roughly 30mins, I got the x-ray and headed down to Ngee Ann City Raffles Medical for the 3rd doctor to review the results.
She wasn't a gynae, so she referred me to Dr Khoo (KK Hospital) and book an appointment for me to go down the next day to visit him in the morning.
Hubby took the day off to accompany me to see Dr Khoo at TPS (The Private Suite). TPS resembles a Boutique Hotel lobby. Not crowded, very peaceful and comfortable. Nice.
I jokingly said to hubby, "Wah, here look like a Boutique Hotel.. Can check in leh!"
He rolled his eyes.
Who knows... I really had to "check in".
Before seeing the doctor we had to wait for our queue number (p.s i was holding on to queue number 396). I was still drowsy from waking early for the appointment. So while waiting, I looked at the queue number board and it says '369 Rm 2'.
Guess what I overlooked the number and entered the room. The next thing I knew, the Doctor in the room was puzzled! (Giving me the face like... Who are you?) Then she asked "Are Miss XXX?" I was like errmmm.. I think I made a mistake and we walked out faces red. Lolx.
"Kimberly," Dr Khoo's assistant called my name.
After looking at the x-ray and referral letter, he wanted me to do another ultrasound to make sure that it was an ovary cyst.
We were then directed to the ultrasound department.
Again, I need to drink many cups of water to fill my bladder. As usual, I need to hold my full bladder while the scan was in progress. Not an easy task.
After the scan was done, the nurse told me to go pee and return to the room.
She asked 2 personal questions. Then she showed me that she's going to insert this BIG/long/scary-looking thingy into my vagina. It was something new to me as I never did it before. I felt very uncomfortable. She rotated the thingy 360 degrees to take a good look at both my ovaries. When it was finally over.. I felt violated by that thingy.
Urgh.. It's not easy to be a woman.
The result will be ready after a hour, so we went to the hospital's food court to have our lunch.
After lunch we headed back to TPS to wait for the doctor's assistant to call for us. I was even more drowsy after lunch and didn't know how long moew we had to wait for my turn to be called. So as we just settle down on the couch. One of the nurse called, "Miss Kimberly Lin.. Miss Kimberly Lin," with a chinese accent.
We entered the room and guess what... The doctor gave me the same look as the previous doctor which I entered wrongly. At that point of time, I was like not again.. This can't be another mistake!! The doctor was like, "Are you Miss Kimberly Leng Li XXX?" I said, "Opps!! Sorry I made a mistake."
After stepping out of the room, hubby was like saying what is wrong with us today? Kept entering the room wrongly. Come to think of it he added, "Who in the world have the same first 3 name like Kimberly LXX LXX and just the last name different?" We just can't stop laughing can. LOLx.
After all the laughing, I decided to take a nap on Hubby's lap. Feeling all so tired.
"Kimberly," a familiar voice called my name.
Still feeling dazed, I dragged myself into the room and was welcomed by a stack of papers on Dr Khoo's table.
"Welcome back Kimberly. Well... we have some good news and some bad news. Let me start with the good news. Your right ovary is of normal size and healthy, so if your womb. Very fertile. Good.
Also, you had mentioned that you felt pain on the left side of your pelvis right? And there we found blood trapped in your left ovary. Let me show you on this diagram. We called it the 'chocolate'. It actually the back flow of the menstrual blood. And we will need to remove it.
Don't have to worry, because if the operation went on well, the left ovary will return to the normal size. So tomorrow we will do the operation for you. I do this everyday, so you don't have to worry ok."
Huh?
Tomorrow?
OPERATION?
I have a flight to operate tomorrow night. SQ26 Frankfurt. It's a lot of money for a 5 days flight.
"Ok, let me go through the paper work with you. You will need to sign here and I will be off to look for a operation theatre for you.
Tomorrow is Wednesday.
And yes, you need MC right?
I will give you 15 days MC first. Then after the operation I will give you more days to recover."
Wait.. I need a moment.. Everything is happening too fast. An operation tomorrow. I am not prepared..
"You will need to drink laxative at 4pm and 7pm to clear your system for tomorrow operation. See you tomorrow."
continue: Blood & Poo
Share this post:
In one of my older posts, I mentioned that I went to the A&E clinic in Raffles Medical Bugis on the 13th October for my severe menstrual cramps. There, the 1st doctor gave me 2 injections to ease the cramps and 2 days of MC.
But the drama doesn't end there.
After 5 days, the pain on my left side of my pelvis didn't went away, so I had to visit a 2nd doctor. He advised me to go for an ultrasound scan of my pelvis and wrote a referral letter for me to do so.
8 days later, after my SQ12, I headed to do the scan at Orchard Building.
To prepare for the pelvis scan, you will have to drink plenty of water to fill your bladder so that the scan will be accurate. It's really not easy as I have to force myself not to urinate on the bed whenever pressure is added on my pelvis.
When the scan was over, I had to quickly look for a toilet. Luckily, the toilets were vacant. Otherwise, I would really pee in my pants!
After waiting for roughly 30mins, I got the x-ray and headed down to Ngee Ann City Raffles Medical for the 3rd doctor to review the results.
She wasn't a gynae, so she referred me to Dr Khoo (KK Hospital) and book an appointment for me to go down the next day to visit him in the morning.
Hubby took the day off to accompany me to see Dr Khoo at TPS (The Private Suite). TPS resembles a Boutique Hotel lobby. Not crowded, very peaceful and comfortable. Nice.
I jokingly said to hubby, "Wah, here look like a Boutique Hotel.. Can check in leh!"
He rolled his eyes.
Who knows... I really had to "check in".
Before seeing the doctor we had to wait for our queue number (p.s i was holding on to queue number 396). I was still drowsy from waking early for the appointment. So while waiting, I looked at the queue number board and it says '369 Rm 2'.
Guess what I overlooked the number and entered the room. The next thing I knew, the Doctor in the room was puzzled! (Giving me the face like... Who are you?) Then she asked "Are Miss XXX?" I was like errmmm.. I think I made a mistake and we walked out faces red. Lolx.
"Kimberly," Dr Khoo's assistant called my name.
After looking at the x-ray and referral letter, he wanted me to do another ultrasound to make sure that it was an ovary cyst.
We were then directed to the ultrasound department.
Again, I need to drink many cups of water to fill my bladder. As usual, I need to hold my full bladder while the scan was in progress. Not an easy task.
After the scan was done, the nurse told me to go pee and return to the room.
She asked 2 personal questions. Then she showed me that she's going to insert this BIG/long/scary-looking thingy into my vagina. It was something new to me as I never did it before. I felt very uncomfortable. She rotated the thingy 360 degrees to take a good look at both my ovaries. When it was finally over.. I felt violated by that thingy.
Urgh.. It's not easy to be a woman.
The result will be ready after a hour, so we went to the hospital's food court to have our lunch.
After lunch we headed back to TPS to wait for the doctor's assistant to call for us. I was even more drowsy after lunch and didn't know how long moew we had to wait for my turn to be called. So as we just settle down on the couch. One of the nurse called, "Miss Kimberly Lin.. Miss Kimberly Lin," with a chinese accent.
We entered the room and guess what... The doctor gave me the same look as the previous doctor which I entered wrongly. At that point of time, I was like not again.. This can't be another mistake!! The doctor was like, "Are you Miss Kimberly Leng Li XXX?" I said, "Opps!! Sorry I made a mistake."
After stepping out of the room, hubby was like saying what is wrong with us today? Kept entering the room wrongly. Come to think of it he added, "Who in the world have the same first 3 name like Kimberly LXX LXX and just the last name different?" We just can't stop laughing can. LOLx.
After all the laughing, I decided to take a nap on Hubby's lap. Feeling all so tired.
"Kimberly," a familiar voice called my name.
Still feeling dazed, I dragged myself into the room and was welcomed by a stack of papers on Dr Khoo's table.
"Welcome back Kimberly. Well... we have some good news and some bad news. Let me start with the good news. Your right ovary is of normal size and healthy, so if your womb. Very fertile. Good.
Also, you had mentioned that you felt pain on the left side of your pelvis right? And there we found blood trapped in your left ovary. Let me show you on this diagram. We called it the 'chocolate'. It actually the back flow of the menstrual blood. And we will need to remove it.
Don't have to worry, because if the operation went on well, the left ovary will return to the normal size. So tomorrow we will do the operation for you. I do this everyday, so you don't have to worry ok."
Huh?
Tomorrow?
OPERATION?
I have a flight to operate tomorrow night. SQ26 Frankfurt. It's a lot of money for a 5 days flight.
"Ok, let me go through the paper work with you. You will need to sign here and I will be off to look for a operation theatre for you.
Tomorrow is Wednesday.
And yes, you need MC right?
I will give you 15 days MC first. Then after the operation I will give you more days to recover."
Wait.. I need a moment.. Everything is happening too fast. An operation tomorrow. I am not prepared..
"You will need to drink laxative at 4pm and 7pm to clear your system for tomorrow operation. See you tomorrow."
continue: Blood & Poo
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Only the Women get it... Cervical Cancer
Not the UOB Women Credit Card promotion.
This is something serious.
CERVICAL CANCER.
However, it can be prevented through pap smear screening and vaccinations.
A virus, Human Papollomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and genital warts and breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore
Just yesterday, I went to Raffles Medical to do a 2nd checkup as the pain on the left side of my pelvis didn't go away after my period had ended.
The doctor had asked me to go for a pelvic ultrasound when I'm back from my 8 days flight. He said I might have ovaries cyst.. So it's better for me to do a scan.
So scary!
And when I collected my medication to ease the pain, I saw a promotion for cervical cancer.
Package 1 S$342
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
Package 2 S$470
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
* Ultrasound breast
* Mammogram
Package 3 S$358
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
* Pap smear
I might go for the Package 3 as early this year I did my Ultrasound breast and Mammogram already.
And on this flight, the Japanese stewardess shared with me that she had an operation recently to remove the ovary cyst.
Also, another stewardess told me that her menses came non-stop for 3 weeks! Because she took another type of contraceptive pills.
So scary can..
I just hoped that I will be alright after the scan.
UPDATES:
I dropped one of my batchgirl Terissa a message regarding the jab as she got hers recently. FYI, she's only 24 this year. And here's her reply, which I think it's very helpful:
Hey Kimmie, okay here's some information on the vaccination:
Basically there are 2 types of vaccine against cervical cancer. Cervarix and Gardasil. Cervarix is found more recently and is slightly cheaper than Gardasil however, it only protects against 2 types of HPV (an infection caused by a bacteria that leads to cervical cancer). Gardasil has been in the market for quite some time its more expensive but protects against 4 types of HPV and also genitals warts (a kind of reoccurring STDs that can't be cured). Gardasil is also a lifetime vaccination. Not sure about Cevarix.
We are all prone to infections that leads to cervical cancer once we are sexually active even thou there is only a single sexual partner. So it is most effective to get vaccinated before engaging in sex, other words, virgin. Since, we're no longer virgins. It is highly recommended to be vaccinated before the age of 26.
Both vaccination consist of 3 jabs. First doze, followed by 2nd one in 2 months (60Days) and the 3rd in 6 months from the 1st jab.
Different GPs offer the vaccination at different prices. Generally below $200 per jab. I got mine at Raffles Medical for $160 per doze after GST. I know DSC clinic at bugis (can google for exact location) offers the entire package at $360 for all 3 doze. I also asked for price of Cerarix at Raffles Medical, its $140 per doze (before GST).
Regarding side effects, my doctor said its pretty rare and usually very mild. E.g. swelling, pain, fever, headache, dizzy.. that's all i can remember. I didn't have any side effects other than an aching arm which last for around 2 hours.
Its good to be vaccinated. Hope the information helps.
Oh yeah, if you do intent to get it. Do call the clinic to ensure that they have the stock for whichever vaccine you want. =)
Share this post:
This is something serious.
CERVICAL CANCER.
However, it can be prevented through pap smear screening and vaccinations.
A virus, Human Papollomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and genital warts and breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore
Just yesterday, I went to Raffles Medical to do a 2nd checkup as the pain on the left side of my pelvis didn't go away after my period had ended.
The doctor had asked me to go for a pelvic ultrasound when I'm back from my 8 days flight. He said I might have ovaries cyst.. So it's better for me to do a scan.
So scary!
And when I collected my medication to ease the pain, I saw a promotion for cervical cancer.
Package 1 S$342
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
Package 2 S$470
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
* Ultrasound breast
* Mammogram
Package 3 S$358
* Cervical cancer vaccination (3 doses)
* Pap smear
I might go for the Package 3 as early this year I did my Ultrasound breast and Mammogram already.
And on this flight, the Japanese stewardess shared with me that she had an operation recently to remove the ovary cyst.
Also, another stewardess told me that her menses came non-stop for 3 weeks! Because she took another type of contraceptive pills.
So scary can..
I just hoped that I will be alright after the scan.
UPDATES:
I dropped one of my batchgirl Terissa a message regarding the jab as she got hers recently. FYI, she's only 24 this year. And here's her reply, which I think it's very helpful:
Hey Kimmie, okay here's some information on the vaccination:
Basically there are 2 types of vaccine against cervical cancer. Cervarix and Gardasil. Cervarix is found more recently and is slightly cheaper than Gardasil however, it only protects against 2 types of HPV (an infection caused by a bacteria that leads to cervical cancer). Gardasil has been in the market for quite some time its more expensive but protects against 4 types of HPV and also genitals warts (a kind of reoccurring STDs that can't be cured). Gardasil is also a lifetime vaccination. Not sure about Cevarix.
We are all prone to infections that leads to cervical cancer once we are sexually active even thou there is only a single sexual partner. So it is most effective to get vaccinated before engaging in sex, other words, virgin. Since, we're no longer virgins. It is highly recommended to be vaccinated before the age of 26.
Both vaccination consist of 3 jabs. First doze, followed by 2nd one in 2 months (60Days) and the 3rd in 6 months from the 1st jab.
Different GPs offer the vaccination at different prices. Generally below $200 per jab. I got mine at Raffles Medical for $160 per doze after GST. I know DSC clinic at bugis (can google for exact location) offers the entire package at $360 for all 3 doze. I also asked for price of Cerarix at Raffles Medical, its $140 per doze (before GST).
Regarding side effects, my doctor said its pretty rare and usually very mild. E.g. swelling, pain, fever, headache, dizzy.. that's all i can remember. I didn't have any side effects other than an aching arm which last for around 2 hours.
Its good to be vaccinated. Hope the information helps.
Oh yeah, if you do intent to get it. Do call the clinic to ensure that they have the stock for whichever vaccine you want. =)
Love, Terissa
Niu Niu
Friday, October 15, 2010
2 jabs to my butt
The day before, I was diagnosed with Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach). As the pain was too unbearable for me, I was given 2 jabs to ease the pain and body aches.
Took 2 days MC, so I didn't go for my Narita flight. :(
Have to return to work tomorrow, got called up for Melbourne. My body is still aching and stomach still hurts despite the medication. :(
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Took 2 days MC, so I didn't go for my Narita flight. :(
Have to return to work tomorrow, got called up for Melbourne. My body is still aching and stomach still hurts despite the medication. :(
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