A lot can happen in just a few days!

Dear All

It's so amazing...our life is so fragile...only on Monday (27 Apr 09), the world was told about the H1N1 virus (better known as Swine Flu), a new flu virus. In just 3 very short days, 150+ people had died just in Mexico alone, the epicentre of this dreaded disease. I remember Melville P had just celebrated Earth Day on last Sun, the day before the news broke.

Just when we had a glimmer of a possible recovery of the economy, this deadly virus put a halt to our hopes of an economic recovery.

Just 2+ weeks ago, we were so happy and so looking forward to our Ozie holiday, but now, at least 100 suspected cases are in Oz. World leaders are so afraid to close borders as this would throw the world into a possible depression. So, people are allowed to travel. Anyway, the health experts reason it's too late to contain the virus now so does it mean we let the weaker ones amongst us to perish?

I don't know about others, but I guess you all know I'm a great worrier....I worry if we go to Oz and being on holiday, we intend to go to crowded places (tourist theme parks and during the school hols too!!) it's so worrying...what if we catch THE bug? I can only tell myself, if we don't get it outside of Singapore, what is to guarantee that we won't get it in S'pore? After all, a lot of us travel as part of our job, or for some, a necessary part of their life - a hol at least once a year - so those who remain in S'pore are still vulnerable to the virus.

I suppose I have to pray that God would protect us, and of course we need to monitor the situation as it goes. It's so scary how speedily this virus is spreading that countries have in less that 24h upped it from level 3 to 4 from just Tues to Wed. There's even talk this Thur morning to possibly upped it to 5 where 6 is the highest level.

Perhaps we could all help pray for this sudden virus to quickly end and stop spreading.

Love Theresa

Clearance from Dr!

Dear All

We just went to see our gynae yesterday afternoon. After such an anxious wait of 2 weeks, he only saw us for like 2 mins! The best thing is, I'm cancer-free!!! Yay!!

You know what else I found out from him yesterday? I've a BIG womb. Nothing to be worried about though, just a discovery. Got 4 pixs of it too, but have no idea what it is actually...looked like scarred fats to me ;)  I told myself that the bulgy tummy I have then is NOT fat, but due my big womb sticking out!! Hahaha!! Then Tiffy said, "Aiya, then mine is all fats!!"

Now that we are relieved, we went straight to book our tickets for the children's LOONNG awaited hols. Guess what? The dates that we wanted have only 2 air-tixs left, so no go! Even at this bad economy, some service staff can do so discourteous! 

We were at a dilemna...the girls, especially Tiffy, wanted to go to Gold Coast. When I checked last week, the dates that coincide with Bert's "termbreak" so to speak, was still available. I guess with 30% of the planes parked in the desert, there's an artificial shortage in air-tixs supply. We didn't know what to do. Should be change the venue? The girls would be disappointed. In the end, Bert decided to take a few days before his official term break, though I could see he was kinda worried. So we have booked 11 to 17 Jun, a 7D/5N Aussie vac to Gold coast with 3 days of all 4 theme parks, cuddling koalas and sailing a yatch and go sand tobogganing! I hope it's fun! We are so looking forward to it as the girls have never been to a "western" country before and the last time I flew outside of the Asean countries was way back in 1995 to visit Bert in Japan for 1 week during christmas!!

Thanks too to all of you for your prayers and concern for me.

May the Good Lord and Mother Mary continue to bless you and your family too!

Love

Theresa & Albert

Goes to show how bias we humans are!!

Dear All

I wish to share this video with you. It's a very apt show of the saying "Don't judge the book by its cover!" We can be so judgemental and sarcastic of others just based on their physical appearance and way of talking, but you should see this lady, how she trounced everybody with her emotional performance....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ys6KbElUfQ&feature=related

Love

Theresa

Tough times are here still!

Dear All

This morning, I took a cab again, to fetch Feli to school for her librarian duty. She had to lug her backpack, another sling bag to carry her books, and 3 cardboard boxes for her PA (performing arts which is something like drama and part of normal school curriculum). All 3 things were heavy and the poor girl was struggling with it, so I helped carry the cardboards for her bearing in mind to use my arm strength (as I'm not supposed to carry heavy stuff yet).

We took this comfort Toyota Crown cab which has this cool mechanism to open the back left-side passenger door even if it is locked! Since I forgot to bring my EZlink card, I had to take the same cab back home, so Feli had to get down the cab by herself with her 3 bags. Hence the driver used this lever to open the door for her and she left without closing the door (because mummy always closes the door for her lah!) and walked off. Then the driver closed the door using this lever. It can open and close the door gently or quickly. He demo it to me when we were waiting at the traffic junction, and I was so afraid he would hit an on-coming motorbike as he showed me how the lever worked at least 3 times!!

Anyway, he was quite a chatty driver so I asked him how's business. He said he has suffered a 20% fall in business. He used to take home $100 per day, now it's $80...hence his monthly income has fallen from about $2600 to $1800 - $2000 depending on how long he drives. He says lots of passengers have lost jobs so they don't take cabs anymore. He has been driving for 3 years now. He counts himself lucky though cos he'll not be retrenched. He was retrenched once when he was working in the shipyard and was not able to get a perm job after that. He worked as a hospital ambulance driver on a 1 year contract but pay was low. He's the sole breadwinner with 3 school going kids and his wife doesn't work.

However, it was amazing how difficult it was to get a cab today compared to yesterday! Yesterday was a breeze...less than 1 minute. Today was like every cab had a fare and we had to wait like 7 minutes to get one and there was a lady behind us (in an unofficial queue for cabs outside Mel Park) who asked if we were waiting for a cab. I guess everybody was late for work/school today, like we were ;)

Love

Theresa

My First Day out (after my day surgery)!

Dear All

It's exactly 7 days since my day surgery and my hospitalisation leave is officially over. My dear hubby asks if I'm cooking dinner tonight, but I realised my fridge is quite empty and all my vegs, garlics, onions, tomatoes, potatoes etc are kinda spoilt so I can't use them. I need to go some marketing 1st, so I told my dear hubby to package dinner till at least this Sunday.

Since Feli has Info Com CCA this morning (Thur, 16 Apr), I have to fetch her there earlier (the school bus doesn't provide extra service for CCAs). As I can't carry heavy things (read..Feli's heavy school bag), Bert told me to take the cab. Instead of taking the cab back to Mel Park, I decided to take the bus back and quite impromptu decided to head for the new Tampines 1 shopping mall since Tiffy comes back only around 2+pm.

If you have been watching TV, there's been a great publicity blizt about this new Japanese mid-range price clothes store that opened at Tamp 1. The grand opening was on the day of my surgery (last Thur) and it was so funny...1 of the mums called me while I was waiting to register at KK to ask if I'm free to go with her to the opening! I only wish I could!!

Anyway, this Jap store is called Inuqlo (pronounced as In-nor-koh, I think) and can you believe it? Before opening time, there was already a queue to enter it!! When I came back like 15 minutes later, the queue was still there but a bit shorter, so since I intended to see what this store was about, decided to join it. 2 ladies infront of me came all the way from Redhill, so they had no choice but to queue. Major mistake. Waited like 4 rounds (the lady infront was keeping tab) before we got in. The store was very small and sold basically t-shirts and t-shirts with Jap manga comic themes. All the clothes, in my opinion, are pricey...usual price $24.90 selling for $19.90. Pants were more reasonable original price range were $49.90 - $69.90 selling for $39.90 - $49.90 but I mainly buy mine cheaper elsewhere as I try to scrimp to save on Bert's single income. Nothing worth buying so I left the shop...and there was still a queue!! I felt like telling the people there don't waste your time but then that's only a thought.

The rest of the mall was quite small. It has 5 floors and a basement. I like browsing at knick-knacks like useless stuff that kids love, like cute files and notebooks, stationery items and money-wasters like disney themed items...so there was a store selling original disney merchandise, and I spent some time there. I was so tempted to buy stuff like pencilcases for my girls but decided not too, as I would probably end up carrying stuff which I am not supposed to. 

There's also another similar store just a few doors away selling cheaper stuff from other well-known characters like Mushi-mario and similar things as mini-toons. The notebooks are cheap like 3 for $5 but again didn't buy any cos these things could be heavy. You may wonder why I seem to be interested in notebooks. It's simply because my dear Tiffany loves to doodle and write stories, so I have to have a constant supply of notebooks for her. It's her way to relax (besides playing computer games). 

If you tell me that Singapore is in recession, I think you must be kidding. The way people buy stuff and crowd in particular 2 bakeries in the mall, you think the stores are giving away freebies!!

If you intend to come all the way down to this mall from where you stay (and I know you all stay very far from the east) I would humbly advise you to shelf the idea. It's just not worth your while. You can basically get the same stuff in any mall. For me, well it's a different story...I'm here for retail therapy as I was cooped up at home for the last week!

Love 

Theresa

Pray for me & looking forward to a Holiday!

Dear All

I am so looking forward to a good overseas holiday with Bert and the girls. Tiffany worked very hard for her PSLE last year, so we decided to give her and our family a treat this year. Where to? Si bu ge yi suo de mi mi (..it's a secret, for now) as we haven't firmed up plans yet. As it is, it still remains as plans...you see, my checkup with the gynae is next Wed, 22 Apr afternoon...and only if I get the green light from him that the sample he took from the lining of my womb is cancer-free, then I would be in the mood to go for a good holiday. I actually thought of booking the tour this weekend till I spoke to my mum. She's so worried about me that her Warfin to thin her blood so that her heart can pump properly isn't working. She says she'll only be ok when my results are good. That made me worried. So I had decided to postpone the booking till after my appointment.

So please pray for me that I am cancer-free and that my woman's problem would be solved. 

Thanks in advance for all your prayers.

Love

Theresa 

Mirena - IUS

Dear All

Just to give you a picture of what IUS device is in my womb....this is the Mirena device. It is palm sized.

It looks quite scary but hopefully, it'll be my life-saviour. Here's some extracted text on how this device would help people like me who have very heavy flow and have "small" fibriod and are afraid to go for surgery.

Happy reading....:)

Most IUCD's make a woman's periods heavier, but the Mirena makes periods lighter than usual. Because of this, it is frequently used as a treatment for heavy periods, even in women who don't need contraception. As can be seen in the picture, it is made of a light, plastic, T-shaped frame with the stem of the 'T' a bit thicker than the rest. This stem contains a tiny storage system of a hormone called Levonorgestrel. Although the IUS was originally developed as a contraceptive, the discovery that it leads to much lighter periods was a great bonus. Many gynaecologists now suggest the Mirena as a treatment for heavy periods if tablet treatment doesn't work.

After 3 months use, the average blood loss is 85% less, and by 12 months the flow is reduced by 97% every cycle [2]. About one third of women using the IUS will not have any periods at all. Although women initially find it a bit unusual not having periods, it doesn't cause any problems. There is no 'build up' of blood, because the hormone in the IUS prevents the lining of the womb from building up at all. Often it is the excessive thickening of this lining that is the cause of the problems in the first place.

One study looked at 54 women who had heavy periods and were awaiting hysterectomy [3]. They all used the Mirena, and just under 70% were taken off the waiting list because they were happy with the treatment. In another study of 50 similar women, 82% avoided major surgery [4].

The Mirena is now licensed for treating heavy periods, and although this official licensing is relatively new, it has been used 'off-license' for some time in this way.

Although the IUS isn't primarily used for painful periods, two studies [4,5] have found that it does help in many cases (as often as 80% of the time). 

Large fibroids are a common cause of heavy periods. If they are so large, or in such a position that they make the inside of the womb an abnormal shape, it is unlikely that the Mirena will remain in place, and would not be helpful as a treatment. With small to moderate size fibroids, it is quite reasonable to use the IUS and one study [5] has found that fibroids are less common in women who use the Mirena. A further paper has found that in the 5 women studied, a Mirena actually reduced the size of their fibroids [6]. This is only one report, of course, and the IUS cannot be recommended as a treatment for fibroids based on this alone, though it is very interesting.

Conclusion

The IUS is an effective contraceptive and treatment for heavy periods. It reduces menstrual pain, may be used with small to moderate fibroids and has the potential as a treatment for severe PMS. It is associated with a low risk of ectopic pregnancy and infection. It may be more difficult to insert than standard IUCD's, in some women can lead to mild hormonal effects, and commonly causes irregular bleeding in the initial months, though this usually settles by 3-6 months. It is a particularly good treatment choice for women with heavy periods who wish to avoid major surgery.

Love

Theresa

Back from the Hospital!

Dear All

After consulting the gynae on Wed, 8 Apr at KK, he scheduled me for day surgery the next day. I had to fast since 12 midnight on Wed. At first the nurse told me the surgery was at 8:30am, then whilst waiting to enter surgery, she told me at 11am that it was revised to 1pm. I was very hungry but felt I could still bear with it. However, when she told me the gynae was too busy still with his clinic and doesn't know when he could attend to me, I almost cried. I was the only one he was operating on that day, and he is a very popular doctor, so he was very tight for time.

My feelings of anxiety and fear turned to frustration and tiredness from all the waiting. I called Bert several times to update him and told the poor guy to go home and rest, as there's a recovery time of 3 - 4 hours after the estimated 30min surgery. Luckily Bert gave me A1 class so I got to lie on a bed with a bigger enclave. At day surgery there's no individual rooms but little 3-sided walls with heavy curtains. The nurse were sweet to update me on when my surgery was to be scheduled, then gave me headphones (to hear the TV) for a small fee, and remote control. I must admit with the TV, time passed by quite fast for me. Same for me at the hospital...with the TV with internet access and my newspapers, I had a restful time at the hospital. When my 2nd brother came to visit me out of the pouring rain to keep me company, I told him, I wasn't bored actually. It was a nice break from attending to the daily needs of the kids and family. At least I could just rejuvenate myself.

After the surgery, in the room just outside the operating threate, I could hear the indian lady next to me groaning in pain. I couldn't see her as I had curtains drawn around me. She kept on groaning for the doctor, then for her husband, her pains were making me queasy. As the anaestetic wore off, I could feel cramps like the usual menstrual cramps and some flow. I was worried about the flow as I had just had 31 days of menses and it only ended the day before the surgery, and was afraid to go in again for blood transfusion. The doctor gave me some medicine to stop the flow and painkillers for the cramps. 

My arms are bruised from 3 needle cathelators...the 1st behind my left thumb was blueblack even before I went into surgery. They did another one on my inner right forearm, but the blood just shot out. So they removed it and tried the bone behind my right thumb. So I went in with 2 cathelators. My right arm is so blueblack it looks like I am a drug addict!

I now am at home. I am taking at least 4 medicines and feel drowsy after taking my medicines. I have 7 days hospital leave but my 1st day home was quite stressful for the family....Felicia came back from her Good Fri with fever of 38.5 and bad hacking cough...Bert lost his handphone on Thur and was barking at everyone, as he was so worn out, 1st with caring for my mum, then me, then Feli being sick and his work at office piling up because of all the leave he's been taking for me. I felt so bad I cried a little. I didn't want to have this happen to me and I tried to see if it would blow over as my mum was in hospital for so long I didn't want to be admitted to as there's no one to look after the kids and this would stress Bert too much. Anyway, Bert apologised to me. Then the good news was, his phone was found at KK hospital. We thought it was lost in the yellow taxi, but fortunately the next day, Fri, Bert called the hospital to ask if his phone was there. At first it was not, then about 2 hours later at 10+am, he received a call from the hospital to pick it up. He was so joyful as all his contacts are there. Now he has backuped his contacts in his ipod.

My next appointment is 22 Apr...2 weeks time. Meantime, I cannot carry heavy stuff, no housework, no cooking, no coffee or tea, eat in small amounts, avoid oily foods and monitor for bleeding or severe cramps. I have to be careful that the girls do not hug me round my tummy or bump my tummy, and not to squat. I have to complete my antibotics to ensure any infection is cleared. I have a sore vein on my left side of my neck...this could be due to the air tube they placed into my mouth during the surgery to give me oxygen. So the antibotics should clear any abrasions in my throat too.

Now is Holy Sat...here's wishing all of you lovely LC couples HAPPY EASTER 2009!!

Love Theresa 

Don't Delay Seeking Medical Help - my personal experience

Dear All

As you know, I've been very weak these past months. It's something very personal actually which I think is very important for me to share, especially when it's quite a common problem for women.

Since last year, I've had 2 bad menstrual periods with very very heavy blood clots, lasting about 3 weeks each time. There were periods in between that were very light. I didn't want to take it seriously as I was afraid of knowing the truth. Bert and my mum persuaded me to see the doctor, but I always say "wait a few more days lah, see if it stops" and it did...at least for the last few times last year.

My period didn't come for 2 months since Dec 08 to Feb 09. I know I'm not pregnant, so I worry there's a growth in my womb. I saw the GP and he referred me to the polyclinic for ultrasound scan. Result : a 4cm fibro and at least 2 1cm cryst and a very thick uterus wall. Went back to the GP and he gave me tablets to start the period. (Amazing! I didn't know they have medicines to start the period). He wasn't too worried about the fibrio and crysts saying they are too small to worry about. He suggested I try the PILL (birth control pill) to help regulate the cycle and therefore reduce the loss of blood. I believe it was a MISTAKE to have taken the pill as my period didn't stop even till now as I am writing this blog! The bleeding was so very very bad that I finally called for help, went to A&E, immediately hospitalised and had blood transfusion!!

(Below: 2nd empty blood pint bag)

Morale of the story....don't delay seeking medical help! I went in just a day after the recent Geylang food poisoning case. Luckily it was a day after otherwise I would have been waiting forever in A&E for a bed. Also after hearing how unfortunate the lady was to have died over food poisoning, I realised that it was so very stupid of me for I could have died from extremely low blood count just because of my period. My kids are so young and Bert so loves me, I must be around for them still. I want to live a long good life with Bert and see the girls grow up and be independent or married with their own kids.

(Bert, tired from attending to me at CGH and running back home to ferry the girls for tuition/choir practices)

Today, I'm just back from my gynae checkup. Tomorrow, I'm going in for day surgery. He's doing a cleanup of my uterus wall and inserting a iuv thingy that will be in my womb wall for 5 years, releasing minute quantities of hormones to, hopefully, regulate my flow. The gynae doesn't know yet if there's any cancerous growth in my womb, so I am effectively signing over my life to him...if it's cancerous, he'll remove my womb. If not, the iuv thingy goes in.

I had discussed with Bert about the stand of the Church....1stly the 21day contraceptive pill is against the Church teaching, but we decided for the sake of my health to just try in 1 time. Well, it didn't work, and we felt, was most likely the cause of the prolonged period. Now the IUV thingy...the gynae assured me it's not a contraception thingy but is instead used, for my case, as a device to release hormones directly to my womb. 

I had gone through key-hole surgery before for the removal of my gall-bladder and I went in with a false brave-front (I'm a coward actually and I actually cried on the operating table out of fear of dying) for the sake of the children. I will have to go through this episode of my life also for the sake of my children.

Whilst waiting to see the gynae, Bert and I saw a show about a couple dancing and I told Bert, could we learn to dance as a couple? I would love to dance with him till we are old. 

You may not know this, but I used to like dancing, and although Bert is quite a good dancer, he doesn't like dancing! So when he told me it's a good idea, to dance for exercise as well as a hobby, I guess he must have felt just as sentimental as me. Life is to short, let's just live it!

Please pray for me...I am worried and a bit scared about tomorrow, but I also somehow feel at peace, knowing that God has placed in very capable hands.

Love Theresa

I must be doing something right...

Dear All

You know I've shared some time back the heartache and difficulty in nurturing a teenager. I was very touched today...Tiffy had hit her head against her friend's guitar (the peg part) and was feeling giddy this morning, hence I decided to let her rest for today (Tue). Whilst getting lunch ready, I called her school and told her form teacher about her absence as well as to get a clearer understanding of her term 1 progress report. As the teacher passed the phone to another subject teacher, I was panicking as I was running late...the lunch was partly prepared and still needed to be cooked and eaten, and all these had to be done within 40min!! 

Tiffy was so sweet...she saw that I was running late, she asked if she could help in any way!!! I was so pleasantly surprised and touched by her offer. I looked around for something easy for her to do as I wanted her to feel she was contributing and being helpful, so I asked her to help me bring down and fold the laundry for me. She did so promptly and I thanked her and praised her for her thoughtfulness and helpfulness. She recently told me she was reading the book "Being a Happy Teenager" by Andrew Mathew which I had posted in my blog earlier. She had started to read it again, and found it very interesting.

So parents, do take heart....our kids really do love us...I've practised holding my tongue and reducing my nagging (as far as possible) and leaving good books lying around the house (learn to be a little messy...). I think, somehow along the way, we should give our kids some credit...they just need to learn how to walk on their own and fall sometimes, as long as they know we are always there for them.

Love Theresa