With expert wound care and holistic support from our team, Mdm Lim looks forward to her new life.
“I’m looking forward to my new life.”
For 72-year-old Mdm Lim Kwee Guat who lives alone, mobility meant independence—until a severe leg infection changed everything.
One afternoon, while getting ready for lunch with her siblings, she suddenly felt unwell. Pus pooled from her swollen feet, and with a high fever of 40°C, she was rushed to the emergency department. She feared that she would lose her leg.
Despite multiple hospital visits and treatments, her condition worsened. Painful lumps formed, and fluid continued to leak. It was only when she was referred to St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) that healing truly began.
At SLH, the warmth of the nurses and therapists reassured her. “I’m very comfortable and happy with the care. They were very professional,” she shared.
Led by Nurse Manager Jasmine Tan, the wound care team meticulously cleaned and dressed her wounds on her right feet at the ankle and dorsal, which she humorously called a “paddy field.”
Layer by layer, they removed dead tissue, applied medication, and carefully bandaged them. Over time, what was once a palm-sized wound gradually shrank.
“For optimal wound healing, a combination of factors is essential — accurate wound assessment, regular monitoring of the wound progress to determine if the wound products used are appropriate and helps in promoting wound healing,” explained Jasmine.
Understanding Mdm Lim’s goal of regaining independence, Occupational Therapist Pei Teng arranged for home modifications, installing grab bars within a week to ensure her safety.
Through rehabilitation exercises and daily activities like climbing stairs and crossing the road, she steadily regained mobility. “Now I can walk short distances and use the toilet myself!” she said with pride.
To reduce pressure on her leg wounds, dietitians guided her in losing weight, which she has proudly achieved on a strict and balanced diet. Emotional support from chaplains and the care team further reassured her that she wasn’t alone.
Ever social, she thrived in leisure therapy, which encourages relaxation, emotional expression, and social engagement. From horticulture and aerobics to dancing, she embraced every activity, forming close bonds with fellow patients and staff, who treated her like family.
“If you don’t take the first step, you’ll never walk again. It may be painful at first, but you must push forward,” she added.
As her wound heals, Mdm Lim looks forward to living independently again. Committed to healthier habits, she will continue her journey to health with monthly follow-ups for chronic disease management at St Luke’s Community Clinic.
With a smile, she added, “I’ll be sure to say hello to everyone — they took such good care of me!”
