Ara Damansara Day 2

early in the morning, blood samples were taken and gastric‑protective medication was administered... this is a standard precaution, as multiple strong medications - especially antiplatelets such as aspirin and Plavix - had been introduced into my body the previous day, which can irritate the stomach lining... being fully conscious in the ICU was, to be honest, quite monotonous and uncomfortable... I was not allowed to walk to the toilet; for urination, a urinal funnel was provided, and for bowel movement, I deliberately avoided it as I did not want to use diapers and be cleaned by the nurses... breakfast was kept very light, consisting only of fried vermicelli...

at around 9:00 am, Dr. Liew came by to explain the angiography findings, showing images of my coronary arteries before and after the stent placement... he explained that the right coronary artery, which had been significantly narrowed due to plaque buildup, now showed good blood flow after the insertion of one stent, with the artery successfully reopened and restoring oxygen supply to the heart muscle... the remaining blockage in the left coronary artery was described as stable but still significant and would be managed in a staged manner, to be addressed in the following month to allow my condition to stabilize and to observe how well my heart adapts with optimal blood flow from the treated vessel... overall, he reassured me that the outcome of the first procedure was successful and uncomplicated...

at about 12:00 noon, I was transferred from the ICU room to undergo a bubble test, formally known as an agitated saline contrast echocardiogram... this test involves injecting saline mixed with tiny air bubbles into a vein while performing an echocardiogram to observe how blood flows through the heart chambers... the purpose is to detect any abnormal communication between the right and left sides of the heart, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt, which could affect oxygen circulation or increase clot‑related risks... the procedure was non‑invasive, performed while I was awake, and served as part of a comprehensive assessment following the heart attack to ensure there were no hidden structural issues contributing to my condition...

for lunch, my meal was a simple and healthy combination of brown rice, chicken soup, vegetables, and watermelon... eating in the ICU, however, was not very appetizing - it was more about sustenance than enjoyment, as I deliberately did not want to stimulate bowel movement while confined to using diapers... during the day, Dr. Liew clearly informed me that from this point onward, I would need to take cardiac medication for life, an essential step to prevent future cardiac events and to ensure long‑term heart health... Abang Mahdi and Naja arrived at 4:00 pm... Naja had already messaged Azim and Abyana’s class teacher to gently inform them about my condition so they would be aware and emotionally prepared... when we spoke, our conversation naturally shifted to lifestyle changes and health management going forward - diet, rest, stress control, and adherence to medication... I also asked Naja to bring my laptop tomorrow, anticipating a gradual return to light activities once stable...

not long after Naja left, I was informed that Ward 3A, Room 317, was ready... with Dr. Liew’s approval, I was transferred out of the ICU and into the general ward - a moment that brought overwhelming relief and comfort... the simple joy of finally being able to use the toilet independently was indescribable after the prolonged physical and mental restriction in intensive care... that night, I went to bed early and peacefully, finally able to rest properly after the discomfort and restlessness of ICU life, marking a small yet meaningful step forward in my recovery journey...