Bye Bye Hydrocele

When Aiman was 4-month old, we noticed he had a bulge at his left groin area. After checking with a local doctor, a child specialist and a surgeon, Aiman was diagnosed with hydrocele. Apparently, it is quite normal for babies (boys) and we were asked to wait until he is one year old, to which the thing might disappear, just like many other cases.

So, after he reached 1 year old, the bulge still there. In fact at times it went into his left testis making it (a lot) bigger than the right one.

We took him to the same surgeon (at S*r*mb*n Sp#cial*st Hospital) and ultrasound revealed that the bulge had become more significant. A minor surgery called herniotomy was later scheduled for him.

Posing with dear ayah infront of the Clinic few weeks ago

We took sometimes to confirm the date. I know it was only a minor operation but (besides being in denial), we wanted to make sure that we were ready for it. I searched the net for more information, I asked around on how to take care of him during and after the surgery, we expedite his medical insurance issues, we sorted things out at work so that we can take few days leave peacefully and we prepared Aiman by adjusting his susu and tido time, to accommodate the fasting requirement.

My first concerned was about he has to fast 8 hours prior to surgery. My son milk-drinking pattern at night (wee hours) is inconsistent. We can’t predict what time he will wakes up for milk. However, eight hours is definitely too long for him.

On 3rd April last week, I set few alarms clocks a.k.a mobile phones at 1.30am before I went to sleep. I was so worried that I won’t get up in time for him to have his susu at 2.00pm. Just imagine, if I wake up at 4am? How la? Anyway, I managed to get up at 1.30am and prepared his hot milk. I waited till the last minutes and woke him up. He took the 7oz milk without any protest and handed me the empty bottle. I prayed to God that will be good for him until the surgery is over.

The admission process was fast since we already submitted the admission form and signed the consent form a day earlier. We were given a room nearby the operating theatre (OT). Within 15 minutes doctor came to check but the operation were delayed for about 30 minutes because the same doctor had to attend to an emergency. We tried to distract Aiman from susu by playing with him in front of OT.

We were palying around infront of the OT to distract Aiman from his susu-time

Later both Aiman and I were wheeled to the OT. I was asked to change to a uniform. It was a heart-wreaking moment to see Aiman lying on the OT table, looking so scared and cried his heart out. He must be so scared to see all strangers, pakai semua biru, tutup rambut and muka, nampak mata sahaja except for me. He begged me to pick him up form the table. Menitik juga airmata. I watched him felt asleep. I kissed him and was ushered out. I waited outside the OT with Che Man.

Preparing to go into OT

After 50 minutes I was called in and again had to change my clothes. The moment I came out from the changing room, I heard Aiman cried. From far I saw him nangis menongeng-nongeng while two nurses trying to calm him down with ballons and all. When I took him, he quickly hugged me but kept crying.

Another doctor came to explained to me that the operation went smoothly and Aiman is actually not in pain because he has been given pain killer. He maybe crying because he was a little bit disoriented and confused with what is happening to him.

The Wound After Surgery

The Culprit

Che Man received him outside the room and again I had to change my uniform. From outside the ward, I can still hear Aiman crying.

He refused to lie down on bed and we had to dukung / riba him all the time. I guessed that reminded him of the OT table. Not that we didn’t want to hold him, but we were afraid that we might hurt him. He refused to drink milk or water despite the fact he had not taken any water for more than 10 hours. He also refused to be touched by nurse who tried to fix drips on him. After sometimes, I told the nurse to just do it while he meraung dan melenting-lenting kan badan. Takut betul aku kalau-kalau luka dia terbukak. Only when he was in his deep sleep, we managed to put him on bed.

After the Surgery, nak beriba saja

Resting

Whenever we are not looking, he will try to pull-out the wire

The rest of the day filled with Aiman tido, bangun, nangis and our struggle to give him the pain killer. Aiman got so scared with nurses and doctor who occasional came to our room – he will hug me tight every time he sees them.

He was a lot better that night itself. He ate porridge and entertained his visitors.

A lot better now...

The next morning he was discharged.

Remember I mentioned about medical insurance? Okay… it was totally our fault. We were late at signing up and the medical card will only be effective next month. We could have waited, but we decided not to. Takan pasal anak punya well-being pun nak berkira kan?

Now, we are poorer by few thousands. Padan muka we all, but we have no regrets.

The plaster has been taken off last Tuesday. The wound heals nicely.

Aiman sekarang dah berlasak-lasak macam tak sakit lansung. Harap-harap memang tak sakit la.

Alhamdullillah.