Wishing all my friends and readers
a very, very
Happy New Year
for 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The first time.....
No, this isn't about THAT first time..
It's about the first time I had a field-trip with my new Canon camera. I just think it might be nice to post something different. A sort of a beginning for the observations I talked about..
Anyway the "first time" was an outing to KL's bird park with Mike and "Shin" (a friend who took over my Fujifilm digital camera). I was supposed to be teaching Shin how to use that camera, so the best thing is to put him in the "deep end" so to say, so we decided (or rather Mike did) to go to the bird park. It was also a good excuse for me to try out my camera. This was on the 24th of December 2009.
It was a nice day, but kinda exhaustingly humid in that little windless though green valley snuggled somewhere in the Lake Garden vicinity. I supposed those netting high above not only keeps the birds in, but also most of the wind out. So if any of you plan to visit there, please bring at least a bottle of water and a face towel at least.
It's about the first time I had a field-trip with my new Canon camera. I just think it might be nice to post something different. A sort of a beginning for the observations I talked about..
Anyway the "first time" was an outing to KL's bird park with Mike and "Shin" (a friend who took over my Fujifilm digital camera). I was supposed to be teaching Shin how to use that camera, so the best thing is to put him in the "deep end" so to say, so we decided (or rather Mike did) to go to the bird park. It was also a good excuse for me to try out my camera. This was on the 24th of December 2009.
It was a nice day, but kinda exhaustingly humid in that little windless though green valley snuggled somewhere in the Lake Garden vicinity. I supposed those netting high above not only keeps the birds in, but also most of the wind out. So if any of you plan to visit there, please bring at least a bottle of water and a face towel at least.
The welcome signboard needs a bit more welcome I guess. But for the kind of money locals pay for entering (rm15 per adult) and foreign tourists have to fork out rm42 per adult, there should be sufficient funds to spruce up the welcome. I am puzzled though that most of the personnel there (ticket sellers, security staff, attending personnel inside the park) don't seem Malaysian - well they don't seem to speak with the usual Malaysian tongue and accent.
I really wonder if its true, that it is the WORLD's largest?
In case any of you didn't already know, left is Mike, right is "Shin".
I felt the parakeet was more curious about us than we were about it.
This peacock sure knew how to strut its stuff. It was holding up a group of visitors along the walkway who (like me) clicked and snapped away happily at its gorgeous display. I think Mike got a nice shot of its posterior too..
This one preferred to just survey its domain from a vantage point.
I think this is called the Secretary bird. Now you know why secretaries are just pretty pretty..
I was just trying out some shutter speed settings. If I had used auto settings, then I would be deemed as very amateruish..
An almost close-up of a Flamingo
And a whole flock of them preening on the grass verge.
Couldn'st resist this proverbial steps to nowhere
It's looking a little forlorn inside the aviary netting.
Another experiment in shutter speed settings.
Don't you think it looks kinda angry?
Taken after their feeding time. They must be feeling rather bored.
Your usual ginger family flower I think.
This little one was all alone by itself.
I was wondering too.. what are these monkeys doing inside a bird park..
At the Hornbill Restaurant where we had lunch, a "young" coconut costs rm12 !!!
..and an iced lemon tea costs... don't even ask !!
This little boy was frightened by a black bird that came to perch at the chair to pick at their food.
That's the black culprit which frightened the boy.
This bird also was used to the humans and came to perch at the railing.
Shin even had time to post to his own blog while we were having lunch, courtesy of the free wi-fi.
Generally speaking, my first time field-trip with the Canon was rather interesting, if not tiring. My own conclusion however, is that if you just want to go for the sight-seeing, you are better off spending your hard-earned cash elsewhere...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday : an update from Melbourne..
Vivien sent this email yesterday (Tuesday) actually, but I was out until late afternoon with Mike and Raymond from Penang and only read it late last night. I was rather tired and decided not to go to Lowyat this morning. Raymond said he informed Mike vis MSN to cancel the trip.
This morning I asked Raymond to help out in sweeping the floors and then to mop it. It's been almost more than a month since it was done last. It would have taken me almost half a day to do it alone, but he did it in only a couple of hours.
In the meantime I also took the opportunity to wash the heavier laundry and put my pillows out in the sun. Hope it won't rain yet till later in the afternoon (as it usually does these days).
Here is the extract from Vivien's email:
"Hi guys, Edi is eating well. In fact, he wants to cook curry !! He still feels frustrated that he gets breathless easily but I remind him that it's been less than a week since leaving hospital. We go for walks, he does some cooking, in fact he cut his hair this morning but he does need some assistance as he's still weak. He now weighs 48'ish kgs and it hurts me somewhat when I look at his thin body. But he is on the mend, thankfully. The days are getting warmer and he likes sitting in the shade just outside the back door to soak up the heat.
Two days ago he asks for a broom to sweep the floor, because he feels that it will be good gentle exercise. I agree except that I vacuum not sweep with a broom and the vac cleaner is too heavy for him. He continues to do his physio exercises and can help me with light pruning of my rose bushes. Last evening we listened to music from his mobile phone and discussed briefly the Beijing Chinese opera performance in Paris. Soon enough, he will leave for KL and I want to treasure my time with him in Melb.
Bye for now. Have a blessed 2010."
I have started to call Edi in the afternoons Malaysian time since Christmas eve. The arrangement is that I call him (its cheaper using my Digi line to call Vivien's land-line) every other day to keep each other abreast of any developments. The other day he asked me to get 3 DVD titles which he wants to see and probably I will go with Terry to the usual Sunday pasar malam to look for them.
This morning I asked Raymond to help out in sweeping the floors and then to mop it. It's been almost more than a month since it was done last. It would have taken me almost half a day to do it alone, but he did it in only a couple of hours.
In the meantime I also took the opportunity to wash the heavier laundry and put my pillows out in the sun. Hope it won't rain yet till later in the afternoon (as it usually does these days).
Here is the extract from Vivien's email:
"Hi guys, Edi is eating well. In fact, he wants to cook curry !! He still feels frustrated that he gets breathless easily but I remind him that it's been less than a week since leaving hospital. We go for walks, he does some cooking, in fact he cut his hair this morning but he does need some assistance as he's still weak. He now weighs 48'ish kgs and it hurts me somewhat when I look at his thin body. But he is on the mend, thankfully. The days are getting warmer and he likes sitting in the shade just outside the back door to soak up the heat.
Two days ago he asks for a broom to sweep the floor, because he feels that it will be good gentle exercise. I agree except that I vacuum not sweep with a broom and the vac cleaner is too heavy for him. He continues to do his physio exercises and can help me with light pruning of my rose bushes. Last evening we listened to music from his mobile phone and discussed briefly the Beijing Chinese opera performance in Paris. Soon enough, he will leave for KL and I want to treasure my time with him in Melb.
Bye for now. Have a blessed 2010."
I have started to call Edi in the afternoons Malaysian time since Christmas eve. The arrangement is that I call him (its cheaper using my Digi line to call Vivien's land-line) every other day to keep each other abreast of any developments. The other day he asked me to get 3 DVD titles which he wants to see and probably I will go with Terry to the usual Sunday pasar malam to look for them.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A new phase...
Now that Edi is on a definite path to recovery, I shall be posting other items that I have put on hold. Hopefully, these observations and thoughts can help others in their own journey in life. Sometimes little things and events contribute to help shape our own paths, even if the major ones can cause the turning points..
I think it will take a while to piece things together in these postings, but I will try to put up whatever I can. Let me know if there are things you want others to share here and I will post them up too.
Meantime, hope you guys have a good holiday ~!!
I think it will take a while to piece things together in these postings, but I will try to put up whatever I can. Let me know if there are things you want others to share here and I will post them up too.
Meantime, hope you guys have a good holiday ~!!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas 2009...
Wishing all my blog followers
~~ A Very Merry Christmas ~~
"Thank you for all your
support and prayers
all this time"
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday.....
Finally ~~~
Edi is back home at his sister's house this afternoon. I spoke with him over the phone at 3:00pm Malaysian time. His voice still is a bit soft but it isn't as raspy as before when I heard him via William's phone some weeks ago. I can sense he gets a little out of breath with the effort to talk more or louder, so I told him not to speak louder.
I summarised everything that had happened at the home front to update him with news. And one of the very first things he asked was whether I have been keeping my glucose level under control. I have to assure him everything is fine thus far, and for him not to worry at all. In fact, I made sure he understood the only task he should have is to recover fully. He said that due to his being bedridden for so long, most of his muscles have shrunk (he lost 6kg), and that's what he has to address for now.
He wants everyone to know he is really thankful for all the support and prayers that have been offered, and actually he said,"Please tell everyone that the queen isn't quite ready to go public as yet". I could hear him giggle at his own words atlhough a little breathlessly. I was laughing away...
I will be calling him on alternate days at around the same time (3:00pm Malaysian time). So if any of you guys want to tell him anything, please let me know. His internet access will only come about probably early next year. He also said that tentatively he may be coming back in April / May because that's the time his brother will also be coming to KL again. I did say to him he should recover fully and take his time to do so if he feels it is better to recuperate there.
By the way, if you guys (Fook Seng and Derrick) are reading this, please be informed Edi has agreed to the planned "makeover" of both kitchen and his bedroom !! The only thing he insisted is that the new bed must NOT be a big bed. He sounded quite pleased at the propspect of a new look at home since he had already in his mind to get rid of some stuff around the house. So I guess we have to get cracking soon enough..
Ok guys, I will continue at the next posting on any other updates at home AND abroad... :)
In the meantime, Edi and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..
And here is a card I received from Pat of Sydney-
Edi is back home at his sister's house this afternoon. I spoke with him over the phone at 3:00pm Malaysian time. His voice still is a bit soft but it isn't as raspy as before when I heard him via William's phone some weeks ago. I can sense he gets a little out of breath with the effort to talk more or louder, so I told him not to speak louder.
I summarised everything that had happened at the home front to update him with news. And one of the very first things he asked was whether I have been keeping my glucose level under control. I have to assure him everything is fine thus far, and for him not to worry at all. In fact, I made sure he understood the only task he should have is to recover fully. He said that due to his being bedridden for so long, most of his muscles have shrunk (he lost 6kg), and that's what he has to address for now.
He wants everyone to know he is really thankful for all the support and prayers that have been offered, and actually he said,"Please tell everyone that the queen isn't quite ready to go public as yet". I could hear him giggle at his own words atlhough a little breathlessly. I was laughing away...
I will be calling him on alternate days at around the same time (3:00pm Malaysian time). So if any of you guys want to tell him anything, please let me know. His internet access will only come about probably early next year. He also said that tentatively he may be coming back in April / May because that's the time his brother will also be coming to KL again. I did say to him he should recover fully and take his time to do so if he feels it is better to recuperate there.
By the way, if you guys (Fook Seng and Derrick) are reading this, please be informed Edi has agreed to the planned "makeover" of both kitchen and his bedroom !! The only thing he insisted is that the new bed must NOT be a big bed. He sounded quite pleased at the propspect of a new look at home since he had already in his mind to get rid of some stuff around the house. So I guess we have to get cracking soon enough..
Ok guys, I will continue at the next posting on any other updates at home AND abroad... :)
In the meantime, Edi and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..
And here is a card I received from Pat of Sydney-
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Update for Wednesday...
Hold your breath guys... I got this email from Vivien...
"Hi all, on my way to the hospital late morning today, I was intending to seek out Dr Joanne Lim, the senior registrar to check why Edi couldn't be discharged now as he's doing well with his physio. A physiotherapist met me on the way to Edi's room and said the doctors were looking for me to say that Edi could be discharged tomorrow!
I'm now rushing to do some urgent errands in order to accommodate this sudden but most welcoming news, eg: groceries for the next few days.
Sam, Edi says please ring him at Msian time tomorrow at 3pm. I'm hoping that we can get home by lunch time and he has a good rest before (if he feels up to it) going to my friends' place for a Christmas eve bbq in the evening. They live 10 mins away by car so asa he tires, we can take him home. I'm glad that the memories for his Christmas 2009 are away from the ward despite that the people there are kind and helpful, mostly :-)
As for setting up i/net access, Edi says not to hurry. I will look into organising this asa things are settled at home and he feels up to it. Probably early Jan.
Cheers for now. Thank you all again for being with us, encouraging and supporting us in many various ways."
Now, if that isn't the best news we can have for this Christmas, then I don't know what is... thanks to God Almighty... !!!
"Hi all, on my way to the hospital late morning today, I was intending to seek out Dr Joanne Lim, the senior registrar to check why Edi couldn't be discharged now as he's doing well with his physio. A physiotherapist met me on the way to Edi's room and said the doctors were looking for me to say that Edi could be discharged tomorrow!
I'm now rushing to do some urgent errands in order to accommodate this sudden but most welcoming news, eg: groceries for the next few days.
Sam, Edi says please ring him at Msian time tomorrow at 3pm. I'm hoping that we can get home by lunch time and he has a good rest before (if he feels up to it) going to my friends' place for a Christmas eve bbq in the evening. They live 10 mins away by car so asa he tires, we can take him home. I'm glad that the memories for his Christmas 2009 are away from the ward despite that the people there are kind and helpful, mostly :-)
As for setting up i/net access, Edi says not to hurry. I will look into organising this asa things are settled at home and he feels up to it. Probably early Jan.
Cheers for now. Thank you all again for being with us, encouraging and supporting us in many various ways."
Now, if that isn't the best news we can have for this Christmas, then I don't know what is... thanks to God Almighty... !!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Update for Tuesday...
I received an email with some pictures from Vivien a few minutes ago. Here they are, and you have to believe that a picture is worth a million words... :)
"Thur, 17/12
5'ish - 8.10 pm Pat's visit to the hospital :
Dinner time and here's Pat
A lovely warm day of 27 deg C. Deep in the background is the Exhibition building where annually Melb's flower show is held. I took this because of the calm and serene greenery, a reflection of what I feeling at the time:
The fountain and Exhibition building again:
Tue, 22/12
2.10 - 3pm walk over to St V's Public hospital block which houses ICU and Cardio thoracic care unit. We went back to these two wards but couldn't get into ICU to meet the staff due to some emergency inside. Reminded of some of what we went through ourselves.
Outside the hospital which is close to where Edi was wheeled out on 2nd last day at ICU due to ICU psychosis but he doesn't recall the excursion:
"Thur, 17/12
5'ish - 8.10 pm Pat's visit to the hospital :
Dinner time and here's Pat
Mon, 21/12
1-2 pm afternoon walk at Carlton Gardens on Nicholson St, opposite St V's Bolte Rehab building:
A lovely warm day of 27 deg C. Deep in the background is the Exhibition building where annually Melb's flower show is held. I took this because of the calm and serene greenery, a reflection of what I feeling at the time:
The fountain and Exhibition building again:
Tue, 22/12
2.10 - 3pm walk over to St V's Public hospital block which houses ICU and Cardio thoracic care unit. We went back to these two wards but couldn't get into ICU to meet the staff due to some emergency inside. Reminded of some of what we went through ourselves.
Outside the hospital which is close to where Edi was wheeled out on 2nd last day at ICU due to ICU psychosis but he doesn't recall the excursion:
Monday, December 21, 2009
Update for Monday..
Fook Seng came to visit me after lunch time yesterday. He brought along this really funny video of a comedienne called Pam An whose brand of humour revolves around the plane carriers of the day. Even SIA was not spared, but not even a mention of MAS..wonder why..
We went for late tea-cum dinner and we had 4 ikan bakar between us and a malay-style soup each (better than the one next door to Chan Abdullah which we had a week ago).
Anyway, I received a short but happy sounding email from Vivien this morning :)
"Mon, 21/12/09
12 noon visit - Edi looked well and obviously had something on his mind asa I got there. The Head physiotherapist has stopped by this morning (for the first time) to check up on him. She seemed happy with his progress. Cath, his physiotherapist, has also suggested to him that if I were visiting in the afternoon, to take him across Nicholson Street to the park.
So, after lunch, we took a slow stroll through the parkland. An avenue of trees led us to the Exhibition Building, lovely colonial huge building with a 3-tier water fountain (that works!) both full of character. All along the footpaths are benches and it was just so lovely sitting on them, chatting, taking photos and being grateful that Edi is alive and coming good.
The walk took an hour in all and he was tired out upon his return to the ward. After a quick wipe down of his upper torso followed by moisturising it (his skin is very dry), he was ready for his afternoon rest."
We went for late tea-cum dinner and we had 4 ikan bakar between us and a malay-style soup each (better than the one next door to Chan Abdullah which we had a week ago).
Anyway, I received a short but happy sounding email from Vivien this morning :)
"Mon, 21/12/09
12 noon visit - Edi looked well and obviously had something on his mind asa I got there. The Head physiotherapist has stopped by this morning (for the first time) to check up on him. She seemed happy with his progress. Cath, his physiotherapist, has also suggested to him that if I were visiting in the afternoon, to take him across Nicholson Street to the park.
So, after lunch, we took a slow stroll through the parkland. An avenue of trees led us to the Exhibition Building, lovely colonial huge building with a 3-tier water fountain (that works!) both full of character. All along the footpaths are benches and it was just so lovely sitting on them, chatting, taking photos and being grateful that Edi is alive and coming good.
The walk took an hour in all and he was tired out upon his return to the ward. After a quick wipe down of his upper torso followed by moisturising it (his skin is very dry), he was ready for his afternoon rest."
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Update for Saturday...
There was no emailed updates from Vivien for a couple of days, but I received news of Edi's progress from 2 other sources.
Pat called me on Friday night after he arrived home in Sydney from Melbourne by train. He told me about the same things which Vivien had already emailed me about. Pat also said that Edi is progressing well although because of his post surgery complication, it is taking a bit longer. Edi looks fine but can only speak with a soft voice and gets tired easily after doing his physio excercises.
We were on the phone for a fair bit, and Pat also related to me of his (mis)adventures recently. It seems on one of his usual weekend boat outing a couple of weeks ago, he was suddenly catapaulted into the sea by a wave surge. He said he almost drowned because he isn't a good swimmer, but luckily he remained calm although he took in some measure of water when he went under. The boat turned back and managed to get him back on board.
Apart from having some skin shaved off from his thumb and fingers when he tried to hold on the metallic rope railing when he was about to fall overboard, his cellphone was later damaged due to the sea water.
Recently also, Pat had a midnight scare when there was a car that caught fire at the front parking lot of his apartment just next to where his car was parked. They later found out it was a stolen car, and he had to go through a lot of hassles with the police and tow-truck company as well as the owner of the car who lived a few blocks away. Again, luckily no major damage was done to the property he is staying in..
The other source of news about Edi comes from his brother. He had flown in to KL on Friday and will proceed to Bali on Sunday (tomorrow) with his family on a scheduled holiday. He called me using Edi's sim card while in Malaysia, and related to me of Edi's progress over the last few days. He also said Edi is progressing well although slowly at the rehab centre. I told him that I've seen the latest pictures and that Edi now at least looks a bit more like his old self before the surgery. I will pass the walking stick to him when he comes back to Malaysia after Bali before he flies back to Melbourne on the 10th of January 2010..
Pat called me on Friday night after he arrived home in Sydney from Melbourne by train. He told me about the same things which Vivien had already emailed me about. Pat also said that Edi is progressing well although because of his post surgery complication, it is taking a bit longer. Edi looks fine but can only speak with a soft voice and gets tired easily after doing his physio excercises.
We were on the phone for a fair bit, and Pat also related to me of his (mis)adventures recently. It seems on one of his usual weekend boat outing a couple of weeks ago, he was suddenly catapaulted into the sea by a wave surge. He said he almost drowned because he isn't a good swimmer, but luckily he remained calm although he took in some measure of water when he went under. The boat turned back and managed to get him back on board.
Apart from having some skin shaved off from his thumb and fingers when he tried to hold on the metallic rope railing when he was about to fall overboard, his cellphone was later damaged due to the sea water.
Recently also, Pat had a midnight scare when there was a car that caught fire at the front parking lot of his apartment just next to where his car was parked. They later found out it was a stolen car, and he had to go through a lot of hassles with the police and tow-truck company as well as the owner of the car who lived a few blocks away. Again, luckily no major damage was done to the property he is staying in..
The other source of news about Edi comes from his brother. He had flown in to KL on Friday and will proceed to Bali on Sunday (tomorrow) with his family on a scheduled holiday. He called me using Edi's sim card while in Malaysia, and related to me of Edi's progress over the last few days. He also said Edi is progressing well although slowly at the rehab centre. I told him that I've seen the latest pictures and that Edi now at least looks a bit more like his old self before the surgery. I will pass the walking stick to him when he comes back to Malaysia after Bali before he flies back to Melbourne on the 10th of January 2010..
Friday, December 18, 2009
Update for Friday..
Pat (from Sydney) kept his word in wanting to visit Edi despite the fact that Edi won't be able yet to make the train journey back to Sydney with him. That was the original plan. They have been friends far longer than I've known Edi, and its the kind of friendship that makes you really feel good inside. Thanks Pat ~!!!
Here are some photos which Vivien sent this morning together with a short update..
"Hi all, some photos covering his physiotherapy activities.
Pat visited Edi last night (Thur, 17/12/09). We arrived at around 5.40 pm and stayed until 8.05 pm. Edi had been looking forward to Pat's visit since yesterday. Although the night nurse, Julia didn't mind us staying beyond 8 pm (end of visiting hours) and Edi had actually checked with her for permission, he was tired out by then."
Here are some photos which Vivien sent this morning together with a short update..
"Hi all, some photos covering his physiotherapy activities.
Pat visited Edi last night (Thur, 17/12/09). We arrived at around 5.40 pm and stayed until 8.05 pm. Edi had been looking forward to Pat's visit since yesterday. Although the night nurse, Julia didn't mind us staying beyond 8 pm (end of visiting hours) and Edi had actually checked with her for permission, he was tired out by then."
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday..
I received a short email from Vivien just as I was getting ready to go out with Terry who came to fetch me for lunch at Paramount Garden. It was an email from her addressed to Hei Meng (Edi's brother) and copied to me. It seems Hei Meng will be coming to KL soon (I am wondering for what specific purpose) and she wanted him to get Edi's walking cane from me so that Edi can use it in case they have to return the walker to the rehab centre. I have replied to that email to ask what other items Edi would want from home.
Lunch was very nice and Terry talked to me at length about StemTech which I have been taking for the last 1 month. Its EXPENSIVE, but I am fairly convinced it is working for me for my diabetic condition. Today I bought another bottle that will last me for another month. I hope I can show by the next month that the reduction in my blood glucose is not a placebo effect.
If there is any other update from vivien's side I will post it up as soon as I get it...
Lunch was very nice and Terry talked to me at length about StemTech which I have been taking for the last 1 month. Its EXPENSIVE, but I am fairly convinced it is working for me for my diabetic condition. Today I bought another bottle that will last me for another month. I hope I can show by the next month that the reduction in my blood glucose is not a placebo effect.
If there is any other update from vivien's side I will post it up as soon as I get it...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Update for Wednesday..
I felt much better this morning after a short (but intense) bout of diarrhoea yesterday. Not sure what caused it, but the remedy I made from what I read in an email about drinking rice water seemed to work miracles~!
Mike asked me to go to Ikano with him, and we spent most of the day there. I bought some small household items and we had tea there (actually meant for dinner) in the late afternoon before heading for home.
I got the following short email from Vivien which came in about 1:00pm while ai was out..
"Wed, 16/12/09
11.20 am visit - Edi was napping as he was tired after physiotherapy. Frances came by to "collect" him to the kitchen where he proceeded to cook a 3 course lunch - braised chicken with Chinese mushrooms, hairy melon and pork soup, and broccoli and fish cake "microwave" instead of stir fry. He did well and the three of us sat down for an impressive meal. Lots left for other staff to taste his cooking. Frances asks for a copy of the photo taken of the three dishes; I think she wants to use it in her report on her assessment of Edi in the kitchen.
Ran into Cath, the physiotherapist who said that Edi went to the park on the other side of Nicholson Street. He would have liked the heat because today's a top of 39 degrees."
Mike asked me to go to Ikano with him, and we spent most of the day there. I bought some small household items and we had tea there (actually meant for dinner) in the late afternoon before heading for home.
I got the following short email from Vivien which came in about 1:00pm while ai was out..
"Wed, 16/12/09
11.20 am visit - Edi was napping as he was tired after physiotherapy. Frances came by to "collect" him to the kitchen where he proceeded to cook a 3 course lunch - braised chicken with Chinese mushrooms, hairy melon and pork soup, and broccoli and fish cake "microwave" instead of stir fry. He did well and the three of us sat down for an impressive meal. Lots left for other staff to taste his cooking. Frances asks for a copy of the photo taken of the three dishes; I think she wants to use it in her report on her assessment of Edi in the kitchen.
Ran into Cath, the physiotherapist who said that Edi went to the park on the other side of Nicholson Street. He would have liked the heat because today's a top of 39 degrees."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Update for Tuesday..
After yesterday's second update, Vivien's email this morning seems even more positive. I am very glad that things are moving quickly and smoothly for Edi in the rehab. He is finally getting to be able to do things which he normally does (shopping and cooking). The next step is to get him able to browse the internet... hopefully soon !!
"Tue, 15/12/09
10 am visit - found Edi with eyes shut and seated on his walker but exercising by arching his neck as far back as possible. After 3 mins, he realised I was there. Heated up some herbal chicken soup for him and while in the kitchen, met Georgina a nurse (I think) who was interested to have the ingredients written out in Chinese so that she can try to get them. This is because I mentioned the efficacy of the two herbs - gay zi good for eyes and why-sang good for the lungs (I guess). Had Edi write the names out for her.
Cath (not Caitlin as I'd thought - maybe short for Cathlyn, his physiotherapist) introduced some new exercises, eg: weaving in and out of an arrangement of coloured "hats" on the floor and raising a foot to lightly tap the tips each "hat". Edi's shoulders are very stiff so he was shown some activities to do when back in the ward. Stretch arms to touch the wall and move fingers up and the wall. I remember doing these myself when suffering a frozen shoulder.
I took various photos and Edi must have felt a bit embarrassed. We then went out of the building where the temperature was rising (forecast of 31 deg) and the three of us walked around ½ of the building, then Edi sat basking in the sunshine. Yes, I took more photos but until I can get someone to download them (so embarrassing to admit again that I don't know how to do it and Edi's card reader isn't working for some reason, anyway), I cannot send them to you.
There are some Dutch visitors at the hospital, and they were to give Edi an afternoon physio session as well as take him across Nicholson Street to the park. I was thrilled for him. Back in the ward, Frances, his occupational therapist came and urged ever so nicely and patiently Edi to write out a shopping list for the lunch that he would cook tomorrow at about 12 noon. Edi asked, you are not joking? He still doesn't believe it despite that Cath has confirmed that it's part of evaluating his recovery. I don't joke, not often (Frances in a smiley way). She decided (and this wasn't the original intention at all) to invite Edi to go food shopping with her tomorrow morning. Edi smartly said let's see how I feel tomorrow because frankly, I doubt that he can cope with shopping and cooking all on the same day.
I received a call from Frances at 12 noon that she has spoken with Cath who feels that going to the shop has as much value as to the park. So (this is another Wait for this moment!) they are going food shopping today at 3 pm. There'll be more photos from me. Edi keeps saying don't go overboard with them. Well, he nearly died and here are all these milestones demonstrating his recovery, so I cannot not take more photos. Even though I'm behind in my work, I will not miss joining them. Worse case is I'll catch up with what I cannot complete by the time my leave commences."
"Tue, 15/12/09
10 am visit - found Edi with eyes shut and seated on his walker but exercising by arching his neck as far back as possible. After 3 mins, he realised I was there. Heated up some herbal chicken soup for him and while in the kitchen, met Georgina a nurse (I think) who was interested to have the ingredients written out in Chinese so that she can try to get them. This is because I mentioned the efficacy of the two herbs - gay zi good for eyes and why-sang good for the lungs (I guess). Had Edi write the names out for her.
Cath (not Caitlin as I'd thought - maybe short for Cathlyn, his physiotherapist) introduced some new exercises, eg: weaving in and out of an arrangement of coloured "hats" on the floor and raising a foot to lightly tap the tips each "hat". Edi's shoulders are very stiff so he was shown some activities to do when back in the ward. Stretch arms to touch the wall and move fingers up and the wall. I remember doing these myself when suffering a frozen shoulder.
I took various photos and Edi must have felt a bit embarrassed. We then went out of the building where the temperature was rising (forecast of 31 deg) and the three of us walked around ½ of the building, then Edi sat basking in the sunshine. Yes, I took more photos but until I can get someone to download them (so embarrassing to admit again that I don't know how to do it and Edi's card reader isn't working for some reason, anyway), I cannot send them to you.
There are some Dutch visitors at the hospital, and they were to give Edi an afternoon physio session as well as take him across Nicholson Street to the park. I was thrilled for him. Back in the ward, Frances, his occupational therapist came and urged ever so nicely and patiently Edi to write out a shopping list for the lunch that he would cook tomorrow at about 12 noon. Edi asked, you are not joking? He still doesn't believe it despite that Cath has confirmed that it's part of evaluating his recovery. I don't joke, not often (Frances in a smiley way). She decided (and this wasn't the original intention at all) to invite Edi to go food shopping with her tomorrow morning. Edi smartly said let's see how I feel tomorrow because frankly, I doubt that he can cope with shopping and cooking all on the same day.
I received a call from Frances at 12 noon that she has spoken with Cath who feels that going to the shop has as much value as to the park. So (this is another Wait for this moment!) they are going food shopping today at 3 pm. There'll be more photos from me. Edi keeps saying don't go overboard with them. Well, he nearly died and here are all these milestones demonstrating his recovery, so I cannot not take more photos. Even though I'm behind in my work, I will not miss joining them. Worse case is I'll catch up with what I cannot complete by the time my leave commences."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Update for Monday (2)...
Surprise~! Vivien sent another email. She says it is such good news that she can't wait until tomorrow to send it. So here it is...
"Mon, 14/12/09 - 2.40 pm visit
I'd bought a box of fried keow teow (rice flat noodles) with chicken, chives and fish cake on my way into hospital. Edi only wanted 3 large spoonfuls; well he had twice the amount. While it wasn't as tasty (ie, smoky) as what he's used to in KL, it was good enough. I put aside a small tub for his consumption tomorrow. The small kitchen has a fridge for patients to bring in their own food. So, he will have herbal chicken soup and fried keow teow tomorrow.
He suddenly suggested to have a photo taken of him having the noodles and there was this small lovely smile on his face. I feel it came about from a sense of well being, as in"I'm on the mend". My mobile phone rang during this mid-afternoon "snack" and it was Frances, the occupational therapist. She came to meet up with us within 2 minutes and conducted an evaluation of how my home is set up for Edi's eventual discharge. I don't think there will not be much of a hazzle where our home is concerned for his return. However, she may see fit to come out and check how Edi moves around on his own prior to his discharge - if she feels that Edi's not making as much progress as they hope. His PT (physiotherapy) schedule is pinned on the board behind his bed now: only 5 sessions in a week (Mon-Fri) in the morning - 45 mins each! I thought it would be two sessions x 5 days !
Next, she wants a food shopping list from Edi tomorrow. On Wed, she would like Edi to cook a meal, one that he normally has at home. What might you want me to cook? How many ingredients should I use? It's up to you, Edi. Cook me a normal meal. Frances will judge how he copes with that and hence, when he's ready to go home.
So much for now. BTW, I am likely to reduce news details on Edi from hereon because there is much work to do before RMIT closes for the Christmas break. I don't want to be still working from home when my leave commences on Christmas eve. I normally don't mind working a bit during the holidays but would prefer not to because of Edi's situation."
"Mon, 14/12/09 - 2.40 pm visit
I'd bought a box of fried keow teow (rice flat noodles) with chicken, chives and fish cake on my way into hospital. Edi only wanted 3 large spoonfuls; well he had twice the amount. While it wasn't as tasty (ie, smoky) as what he's used to in KL, it was good enough. I put aside a small tub for his consumption tomorrow. The small kitchen has a fridge for patients to bring in their own food. So, he will have herbal chicken soup and fried keow teow tomorrow.
He suddenly suggested to have a photo taken of him having the noodles and there was this small lovely smile on his face. I feel it came about from a sense of well being, as in"I'm on the mend". My mobile phone rang during this mid-afternoon "snack" and it was Frances, the occupational therapist. She came to meet up with us within 2 minutes and conducted an evaluation of how my home is set up for Edi's eventual discharge. I don't think there will not be much of a hazzle where our home is concerned for his return. However, she may see fit to come out and check how Edi moves around on his own prior to his discharge - if she feels that Edi's not making as much progress as they hope. His PT (physiotherapy) schedule is pinned on the board behind his bed now: only 5 sessions in a week (Mon-Fri) in the morning - 45 mins each! I thought it would be two sessions x 5 days !
Next, she wants a food shopping list from Edi tomorrow. On Wed, she would like Edi to cook a meal, one that he normally has at home. What might you want me to cook? How many ingredients should I use? It's up to you, Edi. Cook me a normal meal. Frances will judge how he copes with that and hence, when he's ready to go home.
So much for now. BTW, I am likely to reduce news details on Edi from hereon because there is much work to do before RMIT closes for the Christmas break. I don't want to be still working from home when my leave commences on Christmas eve. I normally don't mind working a bit during the holidays but would prefer not to because of Edi's situation."
Update for Monday...
I didn't post any update yesterday (Sunday) because there wasn't any news from Vivien over the weekend usually. And I was a bit lethargic to do any posting about what I had been doing as I was down with a bit of cold for a few days since Thursday. But Terry was kind enough to drop by on Saturday to give me this tin of nutritional beverage for me to take to help me get better ~!!
This is the email content I received from Vivien this morning..
"Sat, 12/12/09 - evening visit
Sun, 13/12 - morning and evening visits
Falling into a routine. Breakfast at 7'ish, home made soup at 10'ish, physio at 10'ish too during weekdays, lunch at 12'ish, walk the ward on his own, nap time, dinner at 5'ish, another walk and bed time. Because he now sleeps early, he also tends to be up at 5'ish the next morning when all's quiet on the western front ! During Sun morning visit, Edi felt that he had an itsy bitsy tiny more energy than the day before. This encourages us to persist with food supplements from home.
As Hazel was leaving the next morning, we took a couple of photos.
Mon, 14/12
10.15 am visit - managed to catch the doctors doing their rounds and listening to Edi talking to them, I found out a couple of things. (1) he feels a discomfort when swallowing - not pain which Dr Joanne (who's just returned yesterday from a week in KL, visiting her parents) thinks is due to the trauma caused to his throat after a lengthy period of being on the nasal-gastro feeding tube; and (2) his toes and soles feel some numbness which possibly is due to the heart needing more time to recover before circulating blood sufficiently through the legs. His toes were also cold to touch lending to the numbness, so he will start wearing socks. Edi's still stuck with having his twice daily anti-ambolism jabs in the stomach. Until he is more mobile, this will continue. Joanne indicated to Edi that one would usually take twice the amount of time to recover strength from being bed bound. So, for 1 month in ICU/Ward 4 East combined, Edi needs 2 months before he will feel satisfactory improvement in regaining his strength. Another reassurance from her is that he is not becoming worse. As they see small improvements in him, they know that he's on track in recovery.
As I was leaving at 11'ish, Nurse Jasmine came in with THE trolley. What do I mean? One soon recognises that when THE trolley is wheeled into the room, it's time for blood to be taken - you see on one side of the trolley a sharps (needles) disposal bin. It has a lid that looks very much like the back of a disposal garbage truck and is free wheeling so that the nurse can quickly pop the used needle into the container. Jasmine showed me the butterfly needle, the thinnest (to me and Edi, not thin enough) that causes the least pain, so she said. I hope she did a good job and in one hit, got blood from his arm."
This is the email content I received from Vivien this morning..
"Sat, 12/12/09 - evening visit
Sun, 13/12 - morning and evening visits
Falling into a routine. Breakfast at 7'ish, home made soup at 10'ish, physio at 10'ish too during weekdays, lunch at 12'ish, walk the ward on his own, nap time, dinner at 5'ish, another walk and bed time. Because he now sleeps early, he also tends to be up at 5'ish the next morning when all's quiet on the western front ! During Sun morning visit, Edi felt that he had an itsy bitsy tiny more energy than the day before. This encourages us to persist with food supplements from home.
As Hazel was leaving the next morning, we took a couple of photos.
Mon, 14/12
10.15 am visit - managed to catch the doctors doing their rounds and listening to Edi talking to them, I found out a couple of things. (1) he feels a discomfort when swallowing - not pain which Dr Joanne (who's just returned yesterday from a week in KL, visiting her parents) thinks is due to the trauma caused to his throat after a lengthy period of being on the nasal-gastro feeding tube; and (2) his toes and soles feel some numbness which possibly is due to the heart needing more time to recover before circulating blood sufficiently through the legs. His toes were also cold to touch lending to the numbness, so he will start wearing socks. Edi's still stuck with having his twice daily anti-ambolism jabs in the stomach. Until he is more mobile, this will continue. Joanne indicated to Edi that one would usually take twice the amount of time to recover strength from being bed bound. So, for 1 month in ICU/Ward 4 East combined, Edi needs 2 months before he will feel satisfactory improvement in regaining his strength. Another reassurance from her is that he is not becoming worse. As they see small improvements in him, they know that he's on track in recovery.
As I was leaving at 11'ish, Nurse Jasmine came in with THE trolley. What do I mean? One soon recognises that when THE trolley is wheeled into the room, it's time for blood to be taken - you see on one side of the trolley a sharps (needles) disposal bin. It has a lid that looks very much like the back of a disposal garbage truck and is free wheeling so that the nurse can quickly pop the used needle into the container. Jasmine showed me the butterfly needle, the thinnest (to me and Edi, not thin enough) that causes the least pain, so she said. I hope she did a good job and in one hit, got blood from his arm."
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Update for Saturday..
So nice that Vivien can go to her office to email some updates at noon. From the list of food that Edi wishes to have, it shows he is really on his way to recover. Hope this will continue, and his physiotherapy works out fine..
"Sat, 12/12/09
10 am visit - Edi was resting on his stroller at the corridor outside the room; it gives patients and visitors breathing space if they find that 4 patients to a room is somewhat claustrophobic or that a patient is rather noisy. As is the case with this guy directly opposite Edi - a large man of Pacific Islands descend. He fell off the chair because he was rather disobedient: instructed not to attempt walking but according to Edi, he sometimes "jumped" from bed to chair or vice versa. This time, however, he didn't get to the bed. I'm glad that for his sake, he didn't create more health problems with the fall; the doctor came by and the patient was still as happy as Larry or as bored as ... depending on his moods.
Brought Edi some herbal chicken soup; within an hour, he'd finished them. Lunch was served less than 1.1/2 hrs later and he still managed to finish 4/5s of the main meal - jolly good. His skin still feels itchy from the rash. Thought it might have to do with a recent addition or change of heart medication but Nurse Sacha has spoken with Dr Andrew (actsy guy, it seems!) who says the new med makes Edi more likely to suffer a rash when in contact with latex but is not responsible for the rash per se. Oh well.
Still feeling the cold, Edi was game only for half a shower. His skin which is covered with the rash is dry, so Soberlene moisturising cream was applied.
Walking (part of his exercise) and ending up in the TV room, Edi asked rhetorically when he will fully recover. Sometimes, I do have the gift of the gap and fished out a paper (well protected by a hard plastic cover) and showed him his handwritten statement "I want to drink milk", written on 27/11/09. The words were hard to decipher as his hand was so weak. Compare yourself at that time with now, you will recover but be patient.
Yesterday, Caitlin has said that another physiotherapist would help Edi with his afternoon physio session but no one came. Nurse Sasha said that on Fridays, they tend to be busy. Such a pity for Edi to have missed the 2nd session yesterday as physiotherapists don't work on weekends. Anyway, let's be positive: if Edi continues to improve in appetite and persists in his exercises, he'll soon be discharged. Speaking of appetite, at his request I'm getting for him in the days ahead roast duck, barbequed pork, roast pork and fried keow teou (no cockles available here unfortunately - he so feels like having them). It's wonderful that he is interested in food again.
As he got ready for his afternoon rest, I left for Victoria Market to get stuff for Hazel who is leaving in two days."
"Sat, 12/12/09
10 am visit - Edi was resting on his stroller at the corridor outside the room; it gives patients and visitors breathing space if they find that 4 patients to a room is somewhat claustrophobic or that a patient is rather noisy. As is the case with this guy directly opposite Edi - a large man of Pacific Islands descend. He fell off the chair because he was rather disobedient: instructed not to attempt walking but according to Edi, he sometimes "jumped" from bed to chair or vice versa. This time, however, he didn't get to the bed. I'm glad that for his sake, he didn't create more health problems with the fall; the doctor came by and the patient was still as happy as Larry or as bored as ... depending on his moods.
Brought Edi some herbal chicken soup; within an hour, he'd finished them. Lunch was served less than 1.1/2 hrs later and he still managed to finish 4/5s of the main meal - jolly good. His skin still feels itchy from the rash. Thought it might have to do with a recent addition or change of heart medication but Nurse Sacha has spoken with Dr Andrew (actsy guy, it seems!) who says the new med makes Edi more likely to suffer a rash when in contact with latex but is not responsible for the rash per se. Oh well.
Still feeling the cold, Edi was game only for half a shower. His skin which is covered with the rash is dry, so Soberlene moisturising cream was applied.
Walking (part of his exercise) and ending up in the TV room, Edi asked rhetorically when he will fully recover. Sometimes, I do have the gift of the gap and fished out a paper (well protected by a hard plastic cover) and showed him his handwritten statement "I want to drink milk", written on 27/11/09. The words were hard to decipher as his hand was so weak. Compare yourself at that time with now, you will recover but be patient.
Yesterday, Caitlin has said that another physiotherapist would help Edi with his afternoon physio session but no one came. Nurse Sasha said that on Fridays, they tend to be busy. Such a pity for Edi to have missed the 2nd session yesterday as physiotherapists don't work on weekends. Anyway, let's be positive: if Edi continues to improve in appetite and persists in his exercises, he'll soon be discharged. Speaking of appetite, at his request I'm getting for him in the days ahead roast duck, barbequed pork, roast pork and fried keow teou (no cockles available here unfortunately - he so feels like having them). It's wonderful that he is interested in food again.
As he got ready for his afternoon rest, I left for Victoria Market to get stuff for Hazel who is leaving in two days."
Friday, December 11, 2009
Update for Friday..
Edi continues to improve and is doing well at the rehab. It really is a good thing he is there instead of going straight back home after the stay at the ward. Both Terry and myself were not too happy if he were to be taken directly home because Edi would need the physiotherapy sessions which are better accessed if he is in the rehab (as he is now).
Below are an extract of vivien's email this morning..
"Thur, 10/12/09
5.15 pm visit - Edi was dozing, probably effect from tablet for his rash. Good to see that the only thing left from his main meal was some mashed potato. Cake with custard for desert was left aside, after the tiniest of morsel in his mouth. Milk, definitely no, no but Nurse Jasmine offered to heat up the 150ml bottle of pasteurised Pura milk before she finished her shift at about 9'ish tonight.
Fri, 11/12/09
10 am visit - helped to apply some cream on his body which is still covered with a rash, like hives. We discussed some nutritious soup recipes which we will start preparing for him on a daily basis, starting from tomorrow. Combined with his balanced meals at the hospital, this is a strategy to help him regain energy and heal quicker.
Followed him into the "gym" with Caitlin and witnessed the different exercises Edi did, eg: placing both hands together and stretching the arms up towards the ceiling. I could hear him pushing himself to raise his arms because he inhaled strongly. Other activities were to do step ups and downs, stand on his toes, sit down and get out of chair without using the arms for leverage, place hands under chin and rotate body waist up to left and to right. The value of his physiotherapy really comes home to me from watching the session which lasted over ½ hour. Physios don't work on the weekend but Edi will be given a paper detailing these exercises to be repeated over the next two days.
Caitlin has the personality for this type of work; like many health care workers that we've come across, she treats Edi's state of mind as well. I guess this must be part of their training. She raised the example of a person's muscles starting to waste when in bed for 3-5 days, so Edi mustn't be discouraged with his present condition, not when he's been in hospital for a month before starting rehab. She's also always smiling and reassuring. I said to brother that it was a good thing that we didn't go straight home from Ward 4 East. What he's doing will increase his mobility quickly and in turn, this will bring him to a more positive frame of mind."
Below are an extract of vivien's email this morning..
"Thur, 10/12/09
5.15 pm visit - Edi was dozing, probably effect from tablet for his rash. Good to see that the only thing left from his main meal was some mashed potato. Cake with custard for desert was left aside, after the tiniest of morsel in his mouth. Milk, definitely no, no but Nurse Jasmine offered to heat up the 150ml bottle of pasteurised Pura milk before she finished her shift at about 9'ish tonight.
Fri, 11/12/09
10 am visit - helped to apply some cream on his body which is still covered with a rash, like hives. We discussed some nutritious soup recipes which we will start preparing for him on a daily basis, starting from tomorrow. Combined with his balanced meals at the hospital, this is a strategy to help him regain energy and heal quicker.
Followed him into the "gym" with Caitlin and witnessed the different exercises Edi did, eg: placing both hands together and stretching the arms up towards the ceiling. I could hear him pushing himself to raise his arms because he inhaled strongly. Other activities were to do step ups and downs, stand on his toes, sit down and get out of chair without using the arms for leverage, place hands under chin and rotate body waist up to left and to right. The value of his physiotherapy really comes home to me from watching the session which lasted over ½ hour. Physios don't work on the weekend but Edi will be given a paper detailing these exercises to be repeated over the next two days.
Caitlin has the personality for this type of work; like many health care workers that we've come across, she treats Edi's state of mind as well. I guess this must be part of their training. She raised the example of a person's muscles starting to waste when in bed for 3-5 days, so Edi mustn't be discouraged with his present condition, not when he's been in hospital for a month before starting rehab. She's also always smiling and reassuring. I said to brother that it was a good thing that we didn't go straight home from Ward 4 East. What he's doing will increase his mobility quickly and in turn, this will bring him to a more positive frame of mind."
