When 2 is less than 1

Knowing that Sofie needed to spend more time at the hospital, today I decided I’d visit her again. After settling some matters at the Buddies center and at the bank, I stopped at a fast food outlet to buy lunch for Saiful. He had been eating food from the hospital cafeteria for the past 2 weeks, I figured today I’d buy him fried chicken as I know he loves them.

By 11.30 am I was already at the hospital. By this time, quite a number of those who came for their appointments had gone back, so getting a parking space wasn’t too bad. I didn’t want to wait for visiting hours at 1pm, as there’d be a rush for the lifts. I wouldn’t mind going up the stairs if Sofie’s on the 3rd or 4th floor, but right up to the 8th? Emmm… I’d avoid it if I can.

Well, there weren’t many people rushing for the lifts, but it being after 11.30am, it was the time for the hospital staff to deliver lunch to the various wards. So, not many people could get into the lifts at the same time. But still, it wasn’t too bad. This special hospital pass definitely helps a lot.

Anyway, Sofie was still on drips and tubes attached to a machine (don’t ask me what machine lah…). She told me that if things go well, she may be discharged by Tuesday or Wednesday next week (after that, many of the doctors will be on leave anyway for CNY). Hopefully she’ll be stabilised by then, if not sooner. Dr Ker (the HIV specialist Sofie always see for her appointments)  was quite concerned on how Sofie would be going home. In her condition, going up and down a bus is not advisable. And the doc knows pretty well Sofie comes from a poor family. Sofie told the doctor that I had offered to send her back should she be discharged.

Sofie has already asked for a letter from the doctor for her son Saiful, to show to his teacher when he goes back to school after CNY. He needs the letter otherwise he may be in trouble for missing school for more than 2 weeks already.

So, had Saiful been sleeping on the chair besides his mother’s bed for the past 2 weeks? At first I thought it was that way, and I was thinking… oh you poor thing!

Saiful: “Tak lah makcik, tidur sekali dengan mama atas katil lah!”

Sofie: “Ha’ah kak, dia tidur atas katil dengan saya. Katil ni pun besar sikit.”

Me: “Bukannya katil tu besar, korang yang kecik!”

I asked Sofie what her weight was. I knew she had lost weight when she ended up vomiting everything she ate at one time before she was hospitalised.

“Hari tu sebelum masuk ward dah tinggal 29 kilo kak. Ni dah naiklah sikit, dah 33 kilo balik.”

Aiyo… so ringan one!! I then asked Saiful his weight. As I had mentioned before, Saiful is small-sized despite already being in form one. Even his 9 year old sister looks bigger than him.

“Saya? 24,” came Saiful’s answer.

Hmmm… 33 + 24 = 57 kg.

Ya ampunnn… the weight of the 2 of them combined still can’t beat mine alone! No wonder they can sleep together on the hospital bed!

They sure need to put on a lot of weight… while I need to shed off a few. Ah well…

p/s

Remember my posting last Sunday about Aina calling me to say that her husband Ali’s condition had deteriorated? Well, when I met Dr Ker at the HIV clinic on Wednesday, the doc told me that Ali’s condition was bad and that his chances were slim. Last night, my Taiping volunteer texted me to inform me that Ali had passed on. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’uun. I will continue to monitor Aina and her 2 children to ensure they get the necessary help.