Hong Kong never ceases to amaze me! I accompanied Tess this morning to the Canossa Hospital – to remove the pesky tennis ball from her tummy – and everything started happening like clockwork. We arrived about 7:10 AM and were processed at Admitting in less than ten minutes. A nurse waited nearby who escorted us upstairs. As we stepped off the elevator another nurse was waiting for us, greeted us and took us to Tess’ room. (Pictured here!) The room has a fridge, TV, DVD player (4 – 5 English channels) and free Internet access. (But, I cannot promise that Tess will blog from the hospital.) After settling in for 20 minutes a nurse came in to start the paperwork, check the vitals and answer any questions. Another 20 minutes later Dr. Joe Chan came in for a visit. His wife, Dr. Cora Ngai, delivered the triplets and was part of the QMH NIC Chic Team! Cora and Joe went into private practise together about a year ago… I cannot say enough about how wonderful they are and Joe’s bedside manner is one of the best I have seen in Hong Kong. But his manner is an unusual manner – charming in an understated and humble way.
Some funny comments:
One of the nurses said, "Okay please get into the hospital smock now… you’ll like it, it’s VERY sexy!" (Said with an enthusiastic tone but the nurse knew full well she was fibbing!)
Tess, remembering back to being stoned from the "twilight anesthesia" days said, "I am sure by late this afternoon I’ll be feeling fine and cracking jokes." Dr. Chan replied dryly, "Nooooo… I don’t think you’re going to feel very well for the rest of today. Maybe tomorrow you’ll feel okay."
Tess said to Dr. Chan, "You look so young and you and Cora make such a great couple." Dr. Chan replied with a blush, "I might look young but I am not that young… and to be honest it’s a curse. Everyone wants an old looking doctor who they think has more experience!"
After Dr. Chan left Tess looked at me and asked, "I like him so much… can we keep him?"
True to the clock, at 8:50 am Tess was wheeled out of her room and down the hall. I expected we would have to wind our way through the hospital to the OR but bang… it was right there in front of us within twenty paces. I hardly had a chance to say good-bye to Tess at all but I knew she was in good hands. She’s expected to be out of the OR by 11:30 – noon. Knowing Hong Kong, they will be true to their word so I am going to head back to the hospital asap. Stay tuned for details.
Reader interactions
17 Replies to “Tess @ The Canossa”
Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop, Charles. Love, M xox
Hope all is well and Tess has a speedy recovery!
Thanks for the update. Here’s knowing Tess will be back on her feet in no time flat. Please send her my very best wishes, wrapped in a big, warm hug. XOXO
Oooh. All nervous and weepy now. You need to update soon. My fragile state can’t handle this. Give her a massive big kiss from me. Both cheeks and one on the lips.
xxx
thank you for updating us. and hugs to you for having to wait nervously while tess gets to sleep through it.
I will be checking your blog while I am at work today. Lots of love to Tess and to all the rest of you.
xo
ps) Happy Thanksgiving
I had forgotten about her scheduled surgery so I was very worried when I saw your post at her blog. Glad to hear its not for an unexpected emergency. Since by the time you read this, I’m guessing the surgery will be over, I hope everything went smoothly.
Please give her only my best wishes.
XOXO
Please let her know I am thinking of her and wishing her a speedy recovery!
give her a smooch from Piper and I. And give yourself a big hug too. Take care.
Prayers being said from here in Maryland for Tess!
PRAYERS FOR TESS FROM FLORIDA!! LOVE YOU!
Prayers for Tess from SK, Canada! Hope all went well, and that the recovery will be uneventful and as comfortable as possible.
(Waving to the children!)
Prayers from Bangkok for Tess to make as speedy and comfortable a recovery as possible. Sounds like she is in excellent hands.
Her ears must have been ringing this morning, as I visited Vicki for a hair-colouring treatment today, and we were both raving about her. Vicki says Tess is gorgeous on the outside AND the inside (and you know hairdressers are good judges of character; everyone lets down their guard in the chair), and I told her how supportive Tess was while Bangkok underwent a tense 24 hours during the coup. And we’ve never even met! She’s a sweetheart.
I hope to meet y’all during your next visit to Bangkok, or whenever Himself and I make it up to HK one of these days.
Feel better soon, Tess – as well as your family, your loyal blog readers await your next brilliant/funny/insightful post! 🙂
I hope the surgery went well and Tess is well on her way to recovery now.
You’re in my prayers.
Wishing Tess a speedy recovery. Nothing worse than a tennis ball in one’s tummy!
She is in my prayers. Can’t wait to get her take on the whole experience. I can imagine there will be a great and entertaining story to tell.
Hugs from Alberta,
Karen
Charles, you really are Magnificent. I love you and am so glad Tess is in your hands. Tell her I miss her too!!!
Char