Being Driven Around

As soon as I reached home after the morning ward round, Anita told me that we had to head to the apartment as a prospective buyer wanted to have a look at it. On a Sunday? But well. Our lease will be up next month, and we were waiting to move into a new place on the same block. That would be next month as well.

I thought of just having a sleep rather than follow her along, but she insisted. Luckily, she also asked the family driver to take us along. So, at least I get to nap in the van and not have to worry about driving. Good thing, as I could ask to be drop for my Sunday afternoon post-take rounds as well.

Call last night was busier than I anticipated. As it was raining in the evening, I thought admission would stop coming. But I was wrong. A couple of sick ones as well.

Just finished my rounds and being driven home. Would stop for tandoori take-out as well as United would be playing Liverpool tonight. Big match. Hopefully I could stay awake for that .......

The Joy of Being Driven

I woke up this morning with a right sore throat. My brother-in-law, spending Hari Raya break from Turkmenistan was feeling feverish since yesterday and I was not surprised if I were to catch the bug off him. The fact that I had been traveling during the weekend did not help.

My voice went all nasal by mid-morning, and I had a couple of lectures to deliver in the afternoon. My voice became worst by lunchtime, so I had some soup and salt water gargle, and the throat improved a bit. I was too tired to drive myself to PJ Hilton for my talk, and had to ask our driver to take me there.

I arrived just in time for some more soup. One of the organiser brought me some warm honey to drink and it worked a treat. Managed to deliver the talk - nasal of course. I napped on the way back in the car.

Felt a bit rough still when I woke up at home. Just had some paracetamol and dinner. Feeling less feverish. I was sure Anita would ask me to sleep in the study. She would be worried if the boys caught the virus from me. Planning for an early night.

Arm twisting

Unfortunately, my feeble attempt at quarantine a couple of weekends ago did not work. I managed to pass on my virus to Puan Anita and the boys. The boys has since recovered. The same can initially be said about Puan Anita, but behind my back she sneaked to the local GP and got herself some antibiotics. She felt great in the first few days, then the cough returned, minus any fever. She also started have joint pains.

She took all the precaution about taking enough fluids. She took paracetamol when the pain got to her, and takes lozenges regularly. She lost her voice by last weekend and yet to regain it and the sore throat got worst yesterday. I told her to keep at it, but she started to get worried. Alright then, time for some intervention. She came over to the ward this afternoon, got her blood tested and cheat Xray taken. Alhamdulillah she was OK, but when it was time to return back home, she got a shock when she called our driver. The gentleman only started working a month ago and unfortunately son of one of my mum-in-law friend. She was the one brokering the deal to take him on.

He parked the car near an entrance and left, maybe to have a smoke. Obviously the car was clamped! Puan Anita called me, and I told her that she has to see the nearest security officer. Unfortunately I was doing my Day Care and can’t leave. We managed to get to the security office. The rule was very clear, we had to pay a fine to remove the clamp and since it was pretty clear it was out fault, were quite happy to fork out the fee. Puan Anita was anxious to get home for the boys. But no! Our driver argued with the security chief. How embarrassing. Anita couldn’t believe it. 10 minutes it went on, and finally she stepped, paid the fee and asked the chief to remove the clamp. She had to apologise on behalf of the driver for the drama.

I only learned about this after I reached home. I was quite upset, not because of the clamping, but his attitude of arguing with the security officer. It wasn’t very pleasant since I work at the place. At the rate the driver was going, he was clearly heading for the sack. Apparently, even my mum-in-law was not happy with him the other day - well that would not take much, as nothing really pleases her. Since she was the one employing the man, she has to sort this mess out!