As a NCC patient, we were told that in case of emergency, we should go to SGH A&E. Once they keyed in my identity card number, they would be able to see that I am a cancer patient. From my records, they could see the medication I was on.
A young female doctor on night duty, came to take my blood sample. She chose a vein that I just had chemo by iv on Monday. She couldn't draw blood and started digging around the spot. Gosh, the way she dug around like hunting for buried treasure and won't give up until I said, maybe you should try another spot as I just had chemo near there on Monday. I told her most of the time, the nurses took blood from a vein near the fold of my elbow. She said there is a tendon there, but she would try. She took another needle and poked and true enough, she hit the tendon. Finally, she moved further down my forearm and managed to collect the samples.
From the medical records, they knew I was on frusemide and the blood tests showed that I was low on potassium. They gave me potassium chloride tablets and later set also set up a potassium iv drip for me.
I had hit my head when I passed out so I had a CT scan of my brain. The scan results showed I had some bleeding on the left front side of the head. It also showed a fracture on the left back portion of my head. I had a feeling this fracture was an old one as some years back, I had passed out, fell backwards and hit my head on the metal base of a standing boxfan.
As I was on chemo, they were concerned that my blood would not clot. I was not given food while the doctors decide if I was to have surgery to stop the bleeding. More blood was taken to determine if my blood was capable of clotting on its own.
The neurologist came and confirmed that the fracture was an old one. As I had fallen backwards, the impact of my head hitting the floor forced my brain to hit the skull in front and caused the bleeding. According to the blood test results, my blood should be able to clot on its own. He asked me to do some simple exercises to check my balance. He said I looked okay and if there were no more complications, I should be discharged the next day. No follow-up was necessary with the neurologist unless the dizziness got worse.
As I was home alone for most part of the day, the doctors were concerned that I might fall again. This time as in previous ones, I had passed out so fast that I didn't even have time to react. One doctor even joked that maybe I should get a protective headgear or have my house padded.
10 May 2008, Sat - I was discharged and since it was a Saturday, I went home to spend the weekend with my family. On Sunday night, I went to stay with my mum for a few days.
My discharge summary said I had recurrent vasovagal syncope.
Vasovagal syncope, the most common cause of fainting, occurs in otherwise healthy people. It can affect people of all ages, but is particularly common in young women. It is also known as Neurocardiogenic Syncope or vasodepressor syncope. As these terms suggest, the cause is low heart rate or blood pressure, leading to inadequate circulation to the brain. This results in fainting, or loss of consciousness (i.e., syncope).
- Vasovagal syncope almost always happens when the patient is standing. It is a much less common occurrence when lying down or sitting.
- Usually the first signs are nausea, paleness, sweatiness, rapid heart rate, dizziness, or tightness in the throat. This can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
- Fainting usually follows directly. This too may last a few seconds to a few minutes.
- After fainting, patients usually appear flushed, and their heart rate may be slow.
- Rarely, if not allowed to lie down, patients may die, but this is extremely rare.
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