First of many

The two weeks that I spent in hospital over my suspected epilepsy attack had many firsts. This was my most sustained stay in any hospital to date - 2 weeks. Never once did the epileptic attack recur during those two weeks, although I suspect that the doctors might have wished it, if only to understand my problem at first hand and give a definite diagnosis. My mind just did not want to cooperate, I guess.

It was the first time that my head was hooked up to a machine for an EEG (Electroencephalogram) scan. Nothing significant was learnt from this scan, I think.

It was the first time that a needle was inserted into my spinal cord, probably to extract something from it. Till today, I am no wiser what that procedure was for. I can only surmise that since the spinal cord is intimately connected to the brain, something could be learnt from what it contained. This procedure was carried out with local anesthesia as I was fully awake when it was done.

It was the first time that I received injections EVERY day, on my calf. The purpose of these injections eludes me to this day. What I did feel was an extreme pain on the very spot a few minutes AFTER the injection - an excruciating pain that I had to use all my will power to suppress myself from crying - out loud. The nurse told my mother later that she was amazed that I did not cry at all from these injections. Apparently, most people did. But it was very very painful. After a week of it, I could barely walk - literally! Mercifully, these injections stopped. Another boy in the same ward was also given the same injection and I could understand when he wailed and wailed and wailed afterwards.

It was the first time that I was away from school for such a long period during the semester. As I found out later, my brother was doing all the homework for me, to prepare for my return to school, I suppose. He didn't want me to miss out on anything. This is what brothers are meant for. I have never forgotten this.

It was also the first time that I tasted Packam Pears - those smooth juicy pears that were so different from the normal pears. I fell in love with it. Bless my mother, who bought them for me during my hospital stay. I knew they were expensive, and we weren't all that rich, materially, i.e. She was at the hospital at every moment she was free, having to look after a husband and 4 other boys' needs, and working at the same time, albeit part time.

It was the first time that I did so many origami - the art of paper folding - because I was getting bored doing nothing there. So I got a book on origami, some paper, and went to work.

You do many new things which you normally wouldn't do when you are put into an alien environment for the first time.