Slowly but surely, I felt my strength leaving me. I yawned again but this time, barely noticed it. I knew either I sat down right away or crumbled like in the next 2 seconds. I was fainting!!! That's when the surgeon heard me mutter words like "sit down" "not feeling well"
With whatever force was left, I dropped myself on a nearby stool. And the next thing I remember is people taking me out of the theatre to the prepping room next door. I must have semi blacked out for say 5 seconds???
All I know is that the minute I torn off my sterile gown, it's like I started living again. The heat was gone, and that's when I realized that my skin was soaked with sweat. But I was no stranger to this scenario. I had already fainted before and in exactly the same circumstances. I'd gone into surgery with an empty stomach and the heat from the room and triple layers of clothing just OUTed me. But just like a miracle, 5 min later, it's like nothing ever happened. I was perfectly fine. And I was defining going to finish assisting the C-section. Back in the O.R. the surgeon, my boss, was struggling with the wound closure. He needed help, but here's a perfect example of when something isn't good for you, you don't force it: I'd barely gone to the cutting table when I was leaving. The symptoms were coming back. And this time I wasn't waiting around; I left before anyone noticed.
I crashed on the couch in my office after making sure the door was unlocked. I knew my boss would come check on me after surgery. Only to wake up 30min later. No one had come! I can't believe I almost died and my boss was nowhere to be found. I mean are surgeons just cold across the globe? And the nurses- sweet and caring indeed! I packed and left the dreadful place. My mom would pamper me at home like it was due.
I went straight to her kitchen; you know, where the action is. My brother was already sitting there, not looking so well. After a few complaints, I knew it was malaria. Instantly, they both turned to me; the doctor had to find a solution. At the end of the day, I never told my mom that I'd passed out. She wasn't going to believe me anyway. My brother got all my mom's attention plus mine, and I just went to bed. What a day!!!
