The Signs of Failing Health...

"A healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one..." - Arabian Proverb

(Warded at PPUM)

It has been heartbreaking to see my husband’s younger brother, Noh, struggling with his health. What started as discomfort, bloating and restless nights, has led to him being warded for prostate abnormalities.

Right now, he’s undergoing more tests so the doctors can find the best way forward. Seeing him lying there, so frail and exhausted, is incredibly difficult. He is usually cheerful, always jovial and bright, but the pain has taken its toll on him.

We are praying for his strength and a speedy recovery. It’s a somber reminder that without our health, nothing else matters.

A Murder of Crows...

 "Crows are the keepers of mysteries that only the brave dare to unravel..."

(Taman Metropolitan Kepong)

This morning we were late for our brisk walk and the sun was already high in the sky. After the long hiatus, we had started our twice weekly short brisk walks, hopefully help burn some calories and build up our waning stamina.

(Massive development around the Metropolitan lake)

(Smart pretty ladies ready to zumba)

The weather was beautiful this morning. I kept my pace brisk but manageable, avoiding exertion that leaves me breathless. My legs muscles are hurting slightly. I only managed to walk 4.5 km and had to take a rest in between before I could continue walking.

(The mischievous crows)

Lately I saw a lot of crows in Taman Metropolitan. The overflow dustbins attract the crows and they scattered the litters all over the place. Wondered why a group of crows earned the rather dark title of 'a murder of crows'?

(Buying our stock of Karipap King Kong)

(Lunch at Restoran Mohd Chan in Klang Sentral)

Doraemon Run 2024

"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything..." - George Bernard Shaw

This morning we were caught in the crowd in Kepong Taman Metropolitan while having our morning brisk walk.

There was a Doraemon Run 2024 event open to all ages. The event features both a 7km race and a leisurely 3.5km stroll, where participants run alongside with family and friends.

(Doraemon - The Blue Cat mascot)

(Keeping up with the participants)

(A new outlet is opening soon)

(A hearty lunch after the run)

Coronary Angiography at Pantai Hospital...

“Money is the most envied but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed but the least envied...” – Charles Caleb Colton

(Images of the coronary angiogram)

It has only been less than a month since my hysterectomy, and now it is my dear hubby’s turn to face his own health test. 

He recently went through a coronary angiogram after his routine yearly check-up showed a possible blockage in one of his heart arteries. Alhamdulillah, he has not shown any symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, which eases my worry a little. Still, the uncertainty is there as we wait for the specialist’s follow-up to know the full results and next steps. Moments like these remind me how fragile health can be, but also how important it is to hold on to faith, to lean on each other, and to be grateful for every blessing - big or small.

(Preparing for the early morning procedure)

(Ready to be sent to the operation theatre)

(Completed all documentation and time to check out)

(Having a light dinner before heading home)

My Laparoscopy Hysterectomy Procedure...

“Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove that we showed up for it...” - Hannah Brencher

(Sedated after a 4-hour surgery)

I have been grappling with this decision to have my ovarian cyst removed.

This surgery brought a lot of mixed emotions. I know it is perfectly natural to feel anxious but it is necessary for a peace of mind. Finally, I opted for a total Laparoscopic hysterectomy as the procedure is minimally invasive unlike abdominal hysterectomy. I had the cyst and the reproductive organs removed through the vagina. It is supposedly to have less pain, less bleeding, less risk of infection and quicker recovery period. During the surgery, I was under general anesthesia and was attended by my Gynae and my heart specialist.

I was warded for almost a week. Physiotherapy sessions appointments were fixed after I was discharged. And I lost 3 kg in two months.

(Iwan and Ella came visiting)

(A cute bouquet from the grandkids)

The company of old friends...

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends...” - Martin Luther King, Jr

(Mus, Nas, Mazlan, Hafiz and Salleh)

The other day when we were in KGNS, some of us planned to visit our bedridden friend, Ridwan in Jenjarum. It has been quite a while since we met him.

Physically he is quite weak but still his cheerful self. We updated him on mutual friends, shared nostalgic stories, and informed him about things happening outside that he might miss.

We kept our visit short as we know that he needs his rest.

Taman Metropolitan Kepong is in a bad state...

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry..."

(Slimy green-tinted oil-like substance floating on the lake)

Taman Metropolitan Kepong in Kuala Lumpur offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages. The park is also known as "Taman Layang-Layang" and is a favorite spot for kite enthusiasts. There are plenty of rest areas and picnic spots where you can relax and enjoy a meal with family or friends. The park features a few viewpoint towers that offers panoramic views of the surrounding greenery. There's an excellent jogging/walking track and a cycling lane that goes around the large lake in the park. It's a popular spot for recreational activities, providing a scenic route with beautiful views.

But recently the lake is not as clean as it used to be. In recent months, visitors have noticed problems like dead fish, a green-tinted oil-like substance, and a pungent stench from the stagnant water. There have been efforts by the authorities to clean up the pollution in the lake. 

Hopefully, the pollution issues could be resolve soonest. If not we need to look for other parks for our weekly brisk walks.

(Pungent stench from the stagnant lake)

My Regular Heart Checks...

(Appointment with my heart specialist)

I have been having a regular heart checks with my heart specialist to monitor my cardiovascular health and detect any potential issues. So far my heart vitals are quite ok. 

In July I will be having my full medical check-up and will consult with my doctor which tests are appropriate for me based on my age, family history, and risk factors.

(Paintings on the wall)

Annual Medical Check-ups...

"If you don't find time for today's fitness, you are saving that time for tomorrow's sickness..."

(Heart Centre, Pantai Hospital)

Hubby and I had our annual medical check-ups done on the same day. As it was the day after a long weekend holidays, the Executive Screening Centre was crowded. We chose our usual screening packages and completed all tests by noon. Our review for the results was scheduled in a week’s time.

Many feel anxious about the results of their medical check-ups. I'm that person who starts worrying about my doctor's appointments days before my scheduled visit. Just thinking about stepping into my doctor’s room make me nervous and my normally healthy blood pressure will shoot up in his presence. And I often worry that my doctor will brush off my concerns and complaints during the review.

(Appointment with Dr Aqmar: 18/7/23)

 
Alhamdulillah, our medical check-up results were better than expected. Hubby’s cholesterol was back to normal. He is advised to discontinue his cholesterol pills. I still have to take my calcium pills supplement daily for my osteoporosis.

Our next follow-up with the specialist will be in three months time.

(Comparisons over the years)

I lost my sister to cancer...

"Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us...” - Samuel Smiles

(Paliative sedation state before her passing)

انالله وانااليه راجعون
اللهم اغفرلها ورحمها وعفيهاوعفعنها

Avoiding conversations about my dear sister made it so much harder for me to cope with her demise.

Amah was my younger sister. She lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 61 only a year after being diagnosed. After a series of chemo procedures in Hospital Besar Melaka, she was transfered to Institut Kanser Negara, Putrajaya. Her condition was deteriorating and doctors decided that the medications and procedures were too much on her body.

She passed peacefully in her sleep.

(My sister, Amah, a week before)

(Institut Kanser Negara, Putrajaya, a day before)

(اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهَا وَارْحَمْهَا وَعَافِهَا وَاعْفُ عَنْهَا)

Going for a walk...

“Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.”

(Taman Metropolitan Kepong)

The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit.

I used to listen to music to get me into a rhythm and help me walk faster. But lately I filled my healing hour by listening to the quranic verses to take my mind off the effort. You'll be surprised at how fast the time goes when you're walking to your favourite surah.

Afrer covering 5 km of sweating distance, we decided to have an early lunch of Nasi Kak Wook and Teh Madu at Restoran Puteri in Gombak. 

It is believed that working out before a sumptuous meal amplifies body’s metabolism and hopefully leads to better burn up of calories

(A beautiful morning)

My Second Cataract Surgery

“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” -William Londen

It was already more than six months after my first cataract surgery. Today I had a second cataract surgery for my left eye.

A day before the surgery I did Covid-19 PCR test and the result was negative. For this surgery, the doctor advised me to undergo general anaesthesia. My cataract surgery procedure was to remove the lens of my effected left eye and replaced it with an artificial lens. I was in the OT from 11.15 am till 1.15 pm. The surgery took less than half an hour but I was fully awake much later after a bottle of drip.

The next day my eye patch was removed. I was given two types of eye drops to be used till my next visit which will be in two weeks time.

(Covid PCR Test before surgery)

(Feeling nervous as usual)

(Vitals monitoring in the day-care ward)

(Ready to enter the operation theatre)

(Sedated and in deep sleep)

(After surgery follow-up the next day)

Walking in the woods...

 "The hardest walk you can make is alone. But it's the walk that will make you stronger..."

(A beautiful picnic area in the park)

(Shaded area of the park)

(A large water monitor in the lake)

(Early lunch at Capital Cafe, Jalan TAR)

(Nasi Padang Capital Cafe)

Follow-up visits to the doctors...

"To solve a difficult problem in medicine, don't study it directly, but rather pursue a curiosity about nature and the rest will follow..."

(At Pantai Hospital again)

This week I had two follow-up visits at Pantai Hospital. On 10 January 2023 the follow-up was with the Ophthalmologist. I had to fix a date for a cataract surgery for my left eye. My right eye surgery was done six months earlier in July 2023.

(Both doctors are on the 3rd floor)

(Having lunch at TCRS Pantai Hospital)

On 18 january 2023 the follow-up visit was to my Gynaecologist to check on my ovarian cyst. The cyst is still at the same position and size. The blood test for cancer tracker was negative. My next follow-up will be in July 2023.

(My Gynaecologist room)

(Having lunch at the Food Court, Pantai Hospital)

(Visiting Hana, Amir and Bubu at Mandy Villa)