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Published: December 6th 2009
Hello everyone! I know it has been a long time since I've updated my journal about my time in Korea. Lately life has been a little hectic and difficult to find time to sit down and type out everything about what has been happening. I will try and write more and shorter entries so everyone can keep up. I've been doing a lousy job of that lately but I promise to improve on it. Let me know what you think. I hope everyone is doing fine and is enjoying their lives.
Out of the Game The past few days have been very slow. As most of you already know, I had surgery a few days ago for a condition that recurred during past few months due to straining of my abdomen most likely from breakdancing. I was reluctant to do the surgery in Korea simply because I knew it would take time to recover, meaning that I would be stuck in my room for about a week. It is very difficult for me to stay in one place for a very long time, however, the doctor, Lee Sang Hoon, told me it would be wise to fix the problem
as soon as possible. Even with this advice, I tried to last as long as I can. 2 weeks later, after one day not even being able to stand straight, I decided to have the operation. In the morning my friend Yongsu took me to the hospital where they told me the surgery would take between 1 to 2 hours and that I would need to stay in the hospital for at least one night. They gave me my room, my gown, and my bed. By then it was time to go to the operating room.
I wasn't too nervous in the beginning because I knew from the past that they would put me to sleep and I would not feel a thing till I woke up in the afternoon. When I walked into the operating room however, I did not see the anesthesia set-up. I asked the nurse in broken Korean; "언제자다?" which literally translates into: "when to sleep?" The nurse quietly laughed at told me "No, no sleep." "?!?!" This is the moment I began to feel nervous. The anesthesiologist came in, gave me a numbing shot to my spine, and quickly left. The effect was almost
instantaneously. In a few minutes I lost all control over my lower body. The nurses covered my face with a blue tarp, turned on soothing music, and prepared me for the doctor.
This may sound disturbing at first, but when the doctor made the incision with his mini saw, I felt it going inside my body, but it did not hurt at all. Even when their hands were in my body grabbing my organs, it was more like a soft feeling than pain. It was pretty strange at first but I soon got used to it. I just laid back and enjoyed the music. Even the doctor and nurses made jokes and laughed happily on the other side of the tarp. After surgery the nurses wheeled me back to my room where the real horror began. "Laying in the same spot for 12 hours?!" For anyone who knows me well, they know it is very hard for me to be inactive for long. The journey began and all I could remember thinking was when the next hour would pass.
In the end I realized that the 12 hours in bed wasn't too bad. My friend Yongsu stayed with
Modern Street
It's hard to feel like you're in ancient times when there are places like this right outside the palaceme for about 4 hours. Then my roommate, Frank, came to take over. He stayed by my bed for more than 18 hours in total! Besides the coin operated tv he had very little to do. Na Young, my good friend, brought me orange juice and even James, Jaye and Patricia brought me snacks to keep me busy. I felt like a little kid when they were feeding me in bed 😊 It was really nice though. They even brought me a little yellow flower that is in front of me now haha. Brian also came and helped me to drink water and call the nurse whenever the pain grew stronger.
Finally! 12 hours passed and I was allowed to lift my head. By this time I didn't want to get out of bed. I slept for another 10 hours while Frank slept on the make-shift mattress to my side. In the morning I was discharged and went home with my roommate and Johnny. It has been 3 days since the surgery and I am still finding it hard to walk. Yesterday was the first time I had not left the dorms for an entire day. On the other
Me and Hong on Halloween
(Even I don't know what I am) She's Hermoine hand, being unable to get far hasn't been all bad. I realized that I have made a lot of great friends here who tend to be more worried about me than I am about myself! I am really grateful for them, especially my roommate who stayed at the hospital for nearly as long as I did. I am going to miss these guys after they leave at the end of the semester. Only 2 weeks left! 😞
This has been the direction of my life. I am beginning to feel as though Sinchon is my real home. Over the past few months the emotion of living in another country has had its ups and downs. First was the excitement of a new life. The second, being homesick from not seeing my friends, family, and of course home-cooked Indian food back home. Now, I am at the stage where even though I miss all these things the same, this place is very comfortable for me. I am truly thankful I can have this experience.
That's it for now! I hope everyone enjoyed this entry. I hope everyone is doing well. Here are some random pictures of where I have
been spending my days:
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Raj Uncle
non-member comment
Very xciting
Did u know u r a great writer. Thanks for sharing your xperience. We've been thinking of you the whole time. "TRY" and get some rest. I still remember the hand walk u & Colter at home and now u r in Korea doind break dancing. wow! V enjoyed the pics.