The boys are trying out chinese medicine

My boys are so prone to flu & cough that many friends advised me to bring them to see chinese physician and let them try "zhong yao" (chinese medicine).

I happened to go to this medicine hall at Rivervale Plaza to stock up the milk powder for Amos. One of the staff there happened to be a chinese physician. He checked Amos' pulse and asked me if Amos is someone who pespire very little. Its true, Amos doesn't sweat as much compared to Zac. He examined the boys & concluded that Amos has a weak lung & Zac's "zhong qi bu zhu".
He wrote the prescription for me & instructed me to pass this to any medicine hall when I'm ready to let the boys try the chinese medicine. I thought since I'm already there as well get from his shop. According to the physician, the boy's body will be significantly improved after consuming the prescribed herbs daily for abt 1.5 mths. Just a tiny scoop to be added to milk powder for the boys to consume. It cost S$229 for the 2 bottles.

The boys started taking it yesterday. Zac realized the slight bitter taste in his fresh milk but still finished it cos I told him the mixture will make him stronger :):)

Let's see if it works after 1.5 mths ... ... ;)

right : the grinded herbs in bottled form which comprised of 7 & 9 herbs for Amos & Zac respectively.
left : the prescription for my future reference

Thank you, my first commentator.
Marzie

Zac's MC : Day 3 -5 (Doctor's Review)

Zac returned to the clinic for review yesterday...
Seeing his condition, doctor said that he should be able to return to school in the next couple of days. The rash on his throat are slowly disappearing, so are those on his feet. Only the rashes on his abdomen & butt are bothering me now. Yes, they are bothering me more than Zac. The latter doesn't feel uncomfy at all & still jovial & active as ever !! :):)
Doctor prescribed "gentriderm cream" to be applied 2 times a day on Zac's rashes. I was relieved that the cream does speed up the healing. *phew*

Since I wasn't able to bring one of the boys to stay elsewhere during this period of time. I tried all means to minimize their contact and also sanitize bedsheets, sofa covers, toys, Zac's personal belongings (e.g. Towels, daily wear...etc). You can imagine how busy I was. Our utility bill sure shoot up this month !! :(:(

I thought of the idea of getting him to wear disposable gloves on the 2nd day & went to purchase it immediately. To my surprised, Zac volunteered to wear them when playing those toys that are impossible to be washed !!
So considerate :):)


I mentioned this practice to the doctor and he said it is actually a good idea. *applause* :)

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Emila

Zac's MC : Day 1

You must be thinking what Zac will be doing on his first day of LONG MC? ;)

In the morning, after taken his breakfast. I saw he took a piece of plain paper & busy writing & drawing. He showed the following drawing to me when it was done. I recognized it cos this was one of the bed time books I read to the boys before. He copied it from the book cover. I thought it was quite a good one. He even changed the name below to his (the book was a hand down from my nephew) So smart !! :):)

He played some toys in the late morning & settled down to work on his K2 chinese assessment. He actually complete the rest of the assessment today. As you can see, he can be very serious when he is writing. He doesn't like me to look at him when he does his chinese cos I will start to comment on his chinese strokes ;p



In the afternoon, I bring out the painting tools for him. It is a good time for him to paint cos Amos is napping, the latter will not have a chance to spill the paint & dirty Zac's drawing ;)

For the first drawing, he explained to me that's daddy & mummy standing near the house under the HOT sun. LOL :)
For the other drawing, he actually drew Amos' water bottle's cap. wahahahaha :D



I urged him to take a rest after that but he told me he isn't tired. He doesn't look like a sick person at all, still full of energy & very good appetite. :)

I allowed him to play a few rounds of PC games after that...


I hope to wake up in the morning to see his rashes slowly clearing off. He will have to go for doctor's review on Thurs. Hopefully looking at his condition, can shorten his MC? ;p
10 days of MC is sooooooo LONG. Zac will be missing his teachers & friends terribly :):)

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Juliana

Zac is on MC for 10 days ... ...

Zac returned from school yesterday night and we realized that there were rashes on his foot and a few on his hands. Rashes were also on his body.

Without delay, he was rushed to the clinic... ...
Doctor's verdict - Zac is down with HFMD :(

This morning, I checked him again !!

There were more rashes now & even on his knee & abdomen. I'm not sure if HFMD only has rashes on hands, foot & mouth or the whole body??????? Or is Zac having chicken pox??
Can someone please enlighten me?????

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Marzie

Amos has been "kissed" all over !!

Recently, there are a lot of mosquitoes in my house. The biggest victim happened to be Amos. This morning, I counted & there are around 15 spots all over Amos' !! Just his face alone there are 6 stings :(:(:(:(

I have no idea where those "vampires" are hiding. Apparently, I've tried to clean every corner of the house & sprayed insecticides.

I'm going to wake up in the middle of the night to catch them today !! Arrrghhhhh !! :(:(

Looks like its not a good NY start for Amos, he is coughing badly & sting by mosquitoes all over.....

Just look at how badly bitten my little boy is..... *sob* :(

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Carlo

Happy Daddy's Day

Zac was down with a throat infection for the past 2 days. He had fever as high as 40.4 deg C on Sat early morning. The fever has finally gone down today. He sat down to draw something for Daddy. I'm trying to figure out from his drawing. He drew a few transportation on his drawing. There are single decker bus, double decker bus, MRT, taxi, Daddy's car & an aeroplane. He must have an impression that Daddy is always on the move so the picture best describe him? haha :D

He kept seeing "BIG buses" (double decker buses) on the road but has yet to board on one yet. I told him when he gets better, will bring him to hop on one. :):)

Flu Jab

I read from the news recently that the number of people contracting flu virus has increased in May 08. I always forget to bring my family for the flu jab until they get sick.

Yesterday morning, we finally went for the flu jab. I was told that the latest batch of vacin is for the Southern Hemisphere.

I was so afraid that Zac will freak out. To my surprise, he did not even jerk his arm. Amos cried a little, I think it was the position my helper held on to him he felt the pain more. Due to his age, he was only give 1/2 a dose & injected onto his left thigh. The 2 kids have to go for the booster dose a month later.

Doctor says that there are side effect like fever and infection to the affected area.

Nearly a day has passed, so far so good.... looks like everyone looks well :):)

What a terrible week ....

It had been a terrible week. The boys were sick one after another. It started with cough, fever & running nose for Zac. He is still having slight cough & running nose now. Amos also got the cough soon after. Then the virus trigger a constant fever that ran up & down. It was esp bad at night when it could go up to 40 deg C. We brought him to KK A & E on Sunday after nights of constant fever & the fever still hover around 39 deg that morning. He was given priority to see the doctor & entered the "RED door" (for emergency only). I felt relieved that the fever finally came down after the nurse gave him paracetomal, the dosage seems to be more than the 3ml for his weight. However, the nurse said that's fine. He had rashes over his body. The doctor said that is scarlet (spelling?) fever and he will recover after taking the anti-biotic she prescribed. We went home after that... ...

That night, the fever came back again and he vomited twice due to his cough. In the morning, he vomited again followed by diarrhoea. We brought him to Polyclinic to see doctor this time requesting to do a blood test. Doctor said that Amos may need to do a chest x ray for more thorough check up. I was so worried that he may not want to co-operate on the x ray bed. To my surprise... ... he lie down, lifted both his hands up and kept still there for the nurse to do the x-ray. I watched him from the entrance of the door, I cannot help thinking that my little boy is so brave !! This is not all... ... there is still the blood test at the laboratory. Most of us will freak out. Amos is so strong and he did not even scream or cry when the nurse poke the needle onto his tiny finger. He only started to cry a little when the blood has been collected, perhaps he could feel the pain on his fingers then.

Amos has chest infection that is the reason that trigger the constant fever. He has to complete the antibiotic in order to recover. This is the tough part cos he dislike the taste & throw out. We have to use "ribena" to trick him but he soon realized the difference in taste & color too !! LOL :D

It was finally a peaceful night yesterday with no sound of him coughing, vomiting and no rushing to the kitchen to get the brufen (for fever above 38.5 deg) and sponging him.

Amos is finally getting better after a week fight with the feverish monstor. My poor little boy has loss so much weight so is Zac.... ....

I felt so lousy when the boys are sick. The worst when I actually misplaced their health booklet. Such an important document I thought I kept it inside the drawer only to realize that it was missing when I tried to retrieve it on Sunday for Amos' admission to the hospital :(

TOTALLY terrible WEEK for me :(

Where is my Play-Doh?

Zac told me the other day that how come I never buy "Play-Doh" for him. I was very reluctant to buy bcos of the mess that it will create and also afraid Amos will unknowingly consume the "doh".
On my recent shopping trip, I ran out of toys to buy for the boys. So happened that the "Play-Doh" was on offer... ... and also the fact that I promised to get the boys a present this month from their good performance in their rewards book. Zac is leading with 5 star now & Amos is 4.

I din know that the "doh" is so soft. I have an impression its like "plastersine" but I'm wrong.
Its really very fun but messy and it gets stuck in between the nails if not washed clean after that.

Zac loves to play with this purple tools that cuts the doh into fine strips.


Amos was beaming with joy and he tried on all sorts of tools/stencils he could grab on. With such a fun toy, he totally forgotten that he's still nursing a weak body. His fever is under control now but his persistent cough will still trigger him to throw out. He has lost some weight definitely... sigh !! *heartache*


Who wouldn't love Amos? Such a darling boy to help me to keep the toys after play.... awwww.... *hugs*hugs* !!
Amos, get well soon so that you could return to school ok?

Mama, open the door..... *sob*sob*

I had a fright yesterday night !! *sweat*

I walked off to the kitchen to bring some boiled water for Amos to rinse his mouth only to return to my bathroom to realize that he was locked inside. I was so panicky and none of the keys seems to be able to open THAT door. Initially, Amos was still ok being alone. I kept talking to him while trying to unlock the door. However, as time went by, my little boy also sense that something was wrong cos "mummy had yet to come in".... he started to cry. His cry added on to my fear !! I kept on trying and ensuring that he will be fine while calling the locksmith. Amos is sick (fever, cough, running nose) since beginning of the week. I was so afraid that he will collapse inside the bathroom cos he was having a fever. Then, I heard him coughing badly & vomited inside.

15 mins passed, the locksmith finally arrived..... ..... he told us that the lock was spoil and he had to break it in order to open. What came into my mind then was "do whatever you want with that damn door, so long as I could reach my boy" !!

The moment the door opened.... Amos was sweating so much as though just taken a shower. Oh my poor darling. He looked helpless and all shaken. I could imagine how scare he was !!

After cleaning him up. I immediately gave him a good warm hug.

Till now, I am still unsure if Zac locked the door leaving Amos behind in the bathroom or Amos pressed the lock himself.

I have to buy the lock protector once again now that such accidents happened!!
The boys likes to play with the door :(:(:(

SICK... ... avalanche !!

Sorry to those who drop by recently & not getting any updates from me.

The reason is bcos...

I am SICK !!

In fact, whole family is sick :(

It started off with Amos about 2 weeks ago (fever, cough, flu), then spread to Zac (fever, cough, flu). After that, I experienced extreme headache & whole body aching. I've got gastric flu, its so torturing & feeling so weak ...

Zac had recovered but Amos is still having cough. His cough is so bad that he vomitted thrice on last Fri night. My helper became ill the next day too, possibly inhaling too much of the vomit from Amos. Hubs also feeling chills all the while, he is down too !!

They were just back from the clinic. Can you imagine the medical bill is around S$600+ for all over 2 months?

Just when I thought I'm getting better from the gastric flu, I think I'm affected by the constant coughing back at my home. My throat is getting drier & I can sense that I'm having sore throat soon...

Its not good having everyone sick at the same time. Let alone taking care of the boys when they are sick. Its worst now when the adults are also sick at the same time.

Haiz, everything is upside down over at my end now. Hope everyone can be strong & healthy once again.

Thanks to those who dropped by for their well wishes ... ...

Thank you for your concern

Its been raining the whole of yesterday. I was all alone at home with the boys & helper. My head was so painful at 1pm, but the nearest clinic will only resume operation at 2pm. So I lie down on my bed. I woke up at 3.30pm. This is the time which I will usually have to wake up if I took a nap cos my helper need to prepare for dinner & I have to look after the kids. I played with them for a while only to realize that my tummy is fighting a hurricane inside me. I've got diarrhoea. I went thrice to the toilet. I knew instantly that I might have stomach flu. I had it once before about 5 yrs ago. The feeling was terrible. I knew that I have to go to the clinic no matter how heavy the rain was, but the clinic will be closing at 5pm & only resume at 6pm. Its 4.45pm that time. I don't think I could make it in time. So I waited to the dinner to be ready.

I had a few mouthful of rice before I felt pain on my stomach, I broke into cold shivers & nearly black out for a few secs. I dragged myself to the clinic, it was 10 mins walk but seems so far walking in the rain.

Doctor said that I've got slight fever & most probably is due to stomach flu or even food poisoning. The latter seems more appropriate since I've got fever. I din even realized that I've got fever.

I went home after that.

This morning, I still feel weak actually, stomach still feel bloated & pain after consuming food. It just feels terrible being so weak. I hope to get well soon so that I could bring the kids out. They are so bored this holiday :(

Thank you to those who has shown concern to me. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart :)

I'm feeling so weak... ...

I brought the boys out for dinner yesterday as promised, despite feeling unwell. Thanks to those who leave messages at my shout, msn or sms me. My chest felt tight, breathing difficulties & nausiness. I felt cold too. I actually wore a jacket out for dinner ... LOL :)
The chest pain & nausiness started on Monday while queuing up to redeem the S$299 Compaq notebook from Funan. I stand throughout the 2 hrs waiting for my turn. This notebook really came with a price for me now !! The best part is that I am still using my old notebook typing this cos all the photo editor s/w are inside here. The new notebook is still not fully functioning for me at the moment. I still need help to load a couple of s/w I need.

After dinner, brought the boys to the pasam malam near my house. We went directly to the kiddy rides. Bought S$10 worth of 6 rides (5+1 free ride). Each ride cost S$2, considered very expensive actually for a simple ride like that. Amos was excited & eager to tried too. So we chose a few easier ones for him to sit with Zac. This is the first time Amos sat on the this kinda rides, I could see that he is a bit tense, you saw both his hands holding tightly to the wheels all along? wahahahahahaa :D

I dragged myself home after that. Amos too was tired, he yawned on the way home. I left it all to the helper to clean up the boys which I usually will help out. I'm really too weak by then. I felt so comfy lying on my bed. Zac came into the room & I think he knew that I'm unwell. He just quiet and lie beside me. Its only 8pm then. He usually don't sleep that early, mebbe about 9-10pm. So imagine he kept tossing & turning on the bed. I ask him to sleep alone on his bed cos mummy is sick. Such a a sweet boy & he just left me alone to rest... ...

The next moment when I woke up. It was 7am in the morning. I cant imagine I slept for so long.

I've got a BAD sore-throat today. This is the worst thing I'm afriad off. It just makes my day even worst now... .... haiz !!

The chest pain is intermittent, its back again now & I could feel the nausiness.

I've got to visit the doctor when the rain stopped... ...

My head is spinning...

My head is spinning while typing this.
I'm very tired both physically & mentally. I haven't been sleeping well since my brother passed away. In the midst of berevement, I am also coping with a weak body. I am down with a very bad sore throat. Zac is also down with running nose & cough. My hubs sick too, he caught a cold during his business trip in Shanghai.

Thank you everybody for your concern & condolences.

I need to rest early, it's going to be a busy day again tomorrow at the funeral palour.

RIP

He could hardly talk, move & breath.

We were all by his bedside holding on tightly to his hands.
His condition worsen tremendously overnight.
We have a feeling that he might not make it till midnight.

He was trying so hard for the miracle 10% of survival,
He cannot bear to leave his family just like that.

He grasped for air but inhaled none,
We shouted his name to no response.

He was really gone this time ... ...

We were so sorry for not being able to save his life.

Brother, you will be remembered dearly in our hearts,
Your last hope & wish will be fulfilled by everyone in the family.

May you Rest In Peace.

Will there be a MIRACLE?

Do you remember quite sometimes back I wrote about the Prayer Card of Love & Hope air-flown over to me from the kind-hearted young Jamilla? Jamilla wrote in her recent post on the card preparation to the finished product. It was a lot of effort & she spend money on getting the good quality transparent sticker. I felt bad that she had to use her money to get it done. So sorry, Jamilla.
The Prayer Card is for my brother who is fighting his days over cancer all over his body. He is still in hospital now & doctor told us last month that there is no cure. He is counting down the days, how long he can survive will depend on his determination & will to hold on. Frankly, I have never seen a person so sick in my whole life. I tend to treasure my life & those around me more from this incident. We are so helpless beside his bed, what we see are constant images of him groaning in pain. The pain is excruciating, he is crying bcos of the pain. We are also crying in our heart seeing him fighting so hard for every second to survive. The morphine dosage has been increased to the maximum limit, but that is not enough cos the pain for cancer patient is accelerating over days. I really got no idea how long he can endure. I am sorry that his life has to be ended so very soon. He is our hero & a very very brave one !!

I thank you all who has send in their prayers for my brother. It is touching to have friends whom I have never met but showered love & care to my family.

I would like to take this opportunity to let the world know from my brother's experience :

1) See a SPECIALIST once you sense that something is seriously not quite right with you
2) DO NOT delay treatments, even if it mean borrowing money from someone.
3) DO NOT hide your illness from your family members or friends, they are those who are able to assist you
4) Eat a balanced diet
5) Have adequate rest, learn how to relax your mind & body, don't get too over-stress. Cancer is very much related to STRESS
6) Go for full body check-up yearly

A sentence from Jamilla "Make difference in your life by giving love, happiness, hope, joy, support and encouragement to the world!"

Let us all PRAY together for my brother ... ... will there be a miracle?

A Card of Prayers, Love, Hope & Faith....

Last Friday, a postman knocked on my door to deliver a registered mail for me. Its weird cos I hardly got any letters, not to say.... registered ones.

I was excited that it was from Brunei. Then I recall that I've got a blogger friend there.

Jamilla, thank you so much for your handmade card, it was so beautiful that I'm really lost for words. You are such a warming & kind friend to have made it for my brother & sending over prayers, love, hope & faith. I love the hearts of flower. You are such a creative young girl. It just made me smile. I hope it will do likewise to my brother. :)

He was discharged from the hospital yesterday after staying there for a week again. The cancer has spreaded even further now. He cant take anymore surgery, he can only prolong his life through chemotherapy. Doctor has spoken to him, the pain is accelerating everyday. He has just numbed another 4 more nerves on the lower part of the body. How long he can survive will depend solely on his fighting spirits now, I am constantly praying for him for lesser pain & if there is really miracle to turn things around? ... ...

Jamilla, you are right about my brother, he is really A HERO.

I would like to thanks those people whose name appeared in Jamilla's card.

Thanks for being part of my blogging family... Jamilla, Bobby, Marzie, Jean, Karen, MakeTraffic, Nafasg, Jesse, Trinity, Uncle Sam, Shinade, Bokjae, Joezul, Bobo, Santa Clause & Sandy G.

I want to take this opportunity to award to you (people in the list above) this which I receive it from Roger quite sometimes back. All of you just made me SMILE, it is just how wonderful friends are !!

I'm glad I found YOU ... ...

What's happening?

The one week stay over at my parent's house ended yesterday. The kids are back home.
I think they missed their grandparents, they missed climbing up & down those stairs & also at the pool... :)

They will have to wait till another school holiday for a stayover.

Not been really blogging for a week seems like I have been missing a lot of stuff. Can you guys update me what is happening around the blogosphere?

I went to visit my brother on Friday & glad to see that he was more jovial & chatting away with all of us. Doctor numbed 3 of his 5 nerve near the spine so that he cannot feel the pain caused by the bone cancer. He is struggling every min for a living chance & is prepared to do anything for it. He will be discharged from hospital these few days if he can cope with the lesser pain, but it will not be the last visit cos he need to return for chemotherapy. Leg amputation, lung surgery & the countless theraphy, treatments, medicine, x-ray, scanning.... all within a year. How can a human body withstand so much treatments? Why must he be the chosen one? Such a kind, loving husband, father, brother & son !! Deep down.... all of us know what is the worst scenario....

I will be back soon ...

Thank you all for the awards and meme I received during this week. Sorry that I am unable to leave comments or respond to you promptly, due to limited internet access over at my parent's house.

My brother's condition is not too good, he is still in hospital. We are seeing to each day how we could help him to suffer less.

Thank you for all of your concern.

I will try to catch up when I am back home.

You mean a lot to me....

I am very touched to see so many friends including my brother in their prayers.
Thanks to all of you. You may not know but all your thoughts & love mean a lot to me at this critical time.

I want to say thank you to Nafa for creating the above badge & Sending Their Ray of Hope
Karen for initiating all to my call for prayers
To Janice & Her brother with much love from Jesse
Marzie for her Love for me at Just For Janice
Bobby for Janice Needs A Prayer
BokJae for Support for Janice
Joezul's Prayer for Janice's brother


A special thanks also to Jackie for her Rose for Janice & her brother.
Trinity for Wishing all the best to my brother.
Maketraffic for Prayer for my brother.
Santa for Prayer for Janice.
Jamilla for Janice's brother is a hero.
Jean for initiating a prayer at Prayer's Room & God always send Rainbows after Rains