My Prayers Are With You

It was just yesterday when I received a text message from my ex-colleague, Iza informing me that she has safely delivered a baby boy. Her baby may be a day old but he has to undergo an operation tonight to repair his esophagus tract. From Iza's explanation, he may be born with a birth defect known as Esophageal Atresia where the esophagus does not connect to the stomach. Thus, liquid that he swallows cannot pass normally through the esophagus to reach the stomach. It happens to one in 3,000 babies in the U.S.

My prayers are for Iza and her family, for she and her husband to be strong in facing this ordeal. I simply cannot imagine what she is feeling at the moment. And my prayers also go out to their little angel, for a smooth op and a speedy recovery, insya-Allah.

Please pray for them too, ok?

On a Sunday

Woke up early for morning walk session with Jan and my MIL. Managed to do 20 mins of aerobics. No poco-poco today..aerobics dangdut.

Rafiq joined the DR gotong royong. It ended before noon, we then headed to my in-laws' house for lunch. On the menu were ketam masak lemak, sotong goreng tepung, black pepper steamed fish, ikan bawal masak asam, tauhu sumbat and later K.Tine made bread pudding for tea.

Gigih bergotong-royong

Rafiq helped K.Tine with her e-filing. The kids main, main and main. Later, Rafiq decided to bring the kids fish feeding at Mines Shopping Centre. Back at home sweet home at about 8 p.m.

By the way, I am using the Low-Carb recipe book which I bought months ago. Reason being because Rafiq has been saying that he has gained weight sebab jarang dapat exercise due to work load and the kids hospitalisation. So far I've made Roast Carrot Snack, Asian Glazed Salmon, Apple Glazed Chicken and Tuna Vegetable Salad. Sedap, sedap, sedap...hehehe! I just wanna share the Roast Carrot Snack recipe! The ingredients are baby carrots, 2-3 tablespoon olive oil, fresh snipped dill or basil and salt. Mix everything together and roast for 10 minutes at 475F until carrots are tender. EASY PEASY! Will fully utilise the recipe book from now on.

Apple Glazed Chicken

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

Fell in love with this song after watching Kris Allen performed on AI8.

How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby




How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
Wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore
Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby



How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better for me than I was for myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

A Week Ago

Last week Rafiq and Faiq went to my BIL's house for Mu'az's birthday. When he came back, he told me what my BIL (Lala) informed him about the conjunctivitis virus that had spread amongst our family members. He suggested that we go to the opthalmologist in Pantai Medical Centre, Bangsar where Naufal was treated as Lala's and Kak Tine's family are showing improvements with the medications prescribed.

The next day, we headed straight to PMC after getting our referral letter. When Dr. Vaan examined Faiq and Aira, he suggested that they be hospitalised for close monitoring and because the medications need to be administered quite frequently. Sigh..another camping trip to the hospital..a second for Faiq in the space of 3 weeks.

Before jumpa doktor

Had lunch with Kak Tine's family (who were there for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Vaan) before being warded. Luckily, this time no IV drips were required so we were spared from Faiq's 'owta'. Nevertheless, he did make a scene when the nurse tried to put admission tag on his wrist.

A funny thing happened before that though. Dr Vaan had put a drop of iodine (I think) in Aira's left eye to see the artificial scrap on her cornea. When I showed Kak Tine, she was so shocked because Aira's eyes had turned green. I nonchalantly said to her, "Hek eleh..wa tau la lu suka terkejutkan wa tapi expression tuh takyah le over!" So I laughed and asked her if she was really shocked and she said yes. I felt guilty coz I honestly thought it was a faking it, hahaha! Dah kena se'round' "KEJI!" from Kak Tine. Hehehe..sori laa ek! PEACE!

Anyways, we were placed in Room 516C. Jan came to visit later and when Faiq seems occupied with his Lala & Lachik, Rafiq left for AD to pack our stuff. Nasib baik dia tak mengamuk masa Jan and Kak Tine balik.

Aira's Cot

Faiq's Cot

p/s: Dalam keadaan berselubung sebab takmo letak ubat

View from 516C

It was a tiring time as the nurses came into the room every two hours to put in the eye drops. Aira tuh ok lagi..nangis kejap je. Faiq tuh biasa lar..kena ada wayang kan..he would struggle and refuse to open his eyes to the point that 3 people (myself, Rafiq and the nurse) had to hold him down.

On Sunday, Dr. Vaan examined both of them and said that we would be discharged the next day. A sigh of relief as I would definitely be restless if we were to be warded further. Yang letih menunggu was the fact that we left Dr. Vaan's clinic at 10.30 a.m. only to be discharged at 4 p.m. because of the documentation process. Oh well, asalkan dapat discharge kira ok la tuh.

Bila nak discharge daa??!

Alhamdulillah a layman's observation would state that they have fully recovered, except Aira's slightly swelly eyes. I pray that they don't have to go through it again because now that I have it, I can't imagine how those little eyes could withstand the stinging sensation when the eyedrops and the ointment were put into their eyes. Jangan diaorang berjangkit balik from me sudah le. And as to date, Rafiq Khan still holds the "FREE FROM CONJUNCTIVITIS" title.

Caught Up

Just when I thought I was spared, The B-Haemolytic Streptococcus bacteria has now caught up with me.

This was me yesterday:

This is how I look like today:

This is when you appreciate simple things in life, like waking up in the morning without a stinging pain in your eyes!

Last Thursday

As Faiq and Aira's conjunctivitis doesn't seem to show any improvement, we decided to take them to a specialist last Thursday. My biras K.Liza advised us to go to Pantai Medical Centre in Bangsar because her family and K.Tine's family were treated there and has shown improvements. However, I chose HUKM Specialist Centre so that in the event that Aira is admitted, it is close to home. Our appointment was at 9 a.m. Managed to reach there on time after going to war with Faiq to wake and bathe him.

Faiq having fun before seeing the doctor

When we were called in, I decided to let Dr. Mae-Lynn examined Aira first. Aira has been infected with the same bacteria as the rest of the Khan clan: B-Haemolytic Streptococcus. Conjunctivitis with haemolytic membranes. It was heart-breaking to hear Aira crying her lungs out when Dr. Mae-Lynn cleaned the white membranes on her eyelids. Another heart-wrenching moment was when Dr. Mae-Lynn had to pry her eyes open with an "eyelash curler looking device". It was really scary, ok!

Upon further examination, Dr. Mae-Lynn explained that Aira's cornea was scratched and a small part of it has been peeled off. My heart broke upon hearing those words for the last thing I needed to hear was that my daughter's eyesight will be affected. Dr. Mae-Lynn said it MAY affect her eyesight if the scratch is infected. That being the case, her eyes will need cleaning up everyday for the next 1-2 weeks. I hope it's nothing serious or I'll never forgive myself. All the time when Aira was examined, I saw Faiq's expression changed especially when he saw Dr. Mae-Lynn inserting the device in Aira's eyes. So when it came to his turn, of course he caused a scene. But Dr. Mae-Lynn said that Faiq is recovering and that his condition is not as bad as Aira's. The next appointment for Aira would be the next evening at Dr. Mae-Lynn's clinic.

I then headed to my new office in Parcel E after lunch. Report duty at Level 5, will be one of the officers in the Water Services Sector. I was given a book entitled The Water Tablet which talks about the water industry in Malaysia in terms of historical background and the way forward for the water industry. I was also given 3 Acts which is related to the water industry. I was introduced to my SUBK and another SUB. Will meet the 3rd SUB and the rest of the people in the water sector tomorrow.

New challenges lie ahead. I'm looking forward to embrace it and give my best!

Changing Base

This place has been my base for the past 4 years and 4 months. My first posting in the civil service with 8 others at that time. When I pledged that I will "BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA", this was where it all began. Where my first official letter and minutes of meeting were written, the first draft of kertas makluman and kertas cadangan were made, amended and approved up to a point where there was minimal or no amendments at all, protocols were adhered to, where I had my first trip to Labuan and had the opportunity to go to surrounding islands, where new friends are made and breakfast at the cafe is a ritual. No doubt I had a love-hate relationship with it but most of my experience were good ones as I have been blessed with good bosses.

My door

On 15 April 2009, I said goodbye to my first base to serve at another ministry. I had mixed feelings of course. At one hand, sooner or later, a transfer is inevitable. You will not stay in the same ministry throughout your service. And a change would do me good. But on another hand, there's an emotional attachment..the complacent feeling, the friends I'll miss. I will no longer hear Fariz's 'laser' comments. No more breakfast and daily gossips with my buddies. No more daily 'spill-merepek-thoughts' to my boss.

My room

But life goes on. As I stepped out of the building last Wednesday, I thought of the learning process I've gone through, the people I got to know and love (or hate) and the experience I've gained. I know that this ministry will always have a special place in my heart!

Friends

Grown Out

Aira is now 3 1/2 months old and weighs about 5.7kg. How time flies, she has grown out of her 'newborn' clothes :o)

Of Nota Serah Tugas and All That Jazz

Hari ni ada meeting with TKSU..probably my last. Then petang ada upacara serah tugas mantan Menteri to YB Menteri baru. Will serah mine tomorrow. Kemas bilik. I have a loooooong way to go in the packing department. Boy, do I have loads of junk!

When I transfer, I may stay put in Putrajaya or move to KL..at another ministry.

There was no favourite 'going-to-work' song but had 3 favourite 'going-back-home' songs today: Abba's Thank You For The Music, Norah Jones' Don't Know Why and Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.

More medicines for Faiq & Aira. Will bring them to see an eye specialist on Thursday.

Good night :o)

Monday Song

Yesterday hubby came back at about 9.30 p.m. and told me about his unbelievable adventure. He said that the youngest participant was 10 years old and I'm like..WHOA! Anyway, I'm glad that he completed almost 2/3 of the distance, that itself is a HUGE achievement.

This would be my favourite "on-the-way-to-work" song for today:

How To Save A Life-THE FRAY

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

HAVE A GOOD WEEK!

A Walk In The Park

It’s been a while since I last walked at AD Park. I think the last time was during my 35th week of pregnancy, which was way back in December. When Jan told me she wanted to brisk walk this morning, I told her to count me in.

We started walking at about 8 a.m. By that time the sun was already up. At first we thought of driving to the park and started our brisk walk from the park but decided to start from my house. As usual, we will walk at the main road route before returning back to the park. That way, we’ll have a longer distance.

Anyway, as we were passing the park, we realized that there was an aerobic group. My husband once told me that in order to join, there’s a monthly fee where you’ll get a t-shirt so the instructor knows that you are part of the group. However, when I saw the group this morning, they didn’t have a “uniform”. Jan went over to one of the ladies and asked and we were delighted when told that we can join and contribute whatever amount to the instructor. The session was about to end but we were just in time to join the power walk poco-poco..seronok tak terhingga..hehehe. Sempat juga warm down tai-chi style before heading back home. The aerobic session will be on Saturdays and Sundays and insya-Allah I will make time to join it from now on. Any takers?

Came back at about 9 a.m., bought breakfast (nasi lemak & nasi berlauk) and later went to Econsave to buy Prego pasta sauce (mode malas nak masak coz Rafiq was not around). Later in the evening my parents came over to visit Faiq & Aira and brought more food. Ermmm..penuh le fridge 1-2 hari nih.

My Inspiration

He may not swim the full distance due to heavy rain and rough sea but I am still proud of his determination to challenge his own limits!

Rafiq Khan, you are an inspiration to me, Faiq and Aira and we are so proud of you!

Pinkeye

Faiq's swollen right eye and Aira's left

Both Faiq and Aira..together with the rest of the Khan clan are suffering from conjunctivitis at the moment. One nephew Naufal was even hospitalised for it. Poor thing..he was only 10 months old. I think it started with my nephew, Asif. Faiq probably got it from another nephew, Irsyad and Aira got it from her brother. It's been 4 days since they got it and I've been treating them with eye drops and washing they eyes with cotton pads soaked in lukewarm water. Hopefully they'll recover from it soon.

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What Is Pinkeye?

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

While pinkeye can sometimes be alarming because it may make the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly, it's a fairly common condition and usually causes no long-term eye or vision damage. But if your child shows symptoms of pinkeye, it's important to see a doctor. Some kinds of pinkeye go away on their own, but other types require treatment.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by infections (such as bacteria and viruses), allergies, or substances that irritate the eyes.

Causes of Pinkeye

Pinkeye can be caused by many of the bacteria and viruses responsible for colds and other infections, — including ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats — and by the same types of bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Pinkeye also can be caused by allergies. These cases tend to happen more frequently among kids who also have other allergic conditions, such as hay fever. Some triggers of allergic conjunctivitis include grass, ragweed pollen, animal dander, and dust mites.

Sometimes a substance in the environment can irritate the eyes and cause pinkeye; for example, chemicals (such as chlorine and soaps) and air pollutants (such as smoke and fumes).

Pinkeye in Newborns

Newborns are particularly susceptible to pinkeye and can be more prone to serious health complications if it goes untreated.

If a baby is born to a mother who has an STD, during delivery the bacteria or virus can pass from the birth canal into the baby's eyes, causing pinkeye. To prevent this, doctors give antibiotic ointment or eye drops to all babies immediately after birth.

Occasionally, this preventive treatment causes a mild chemical conjunctivitis, which typically clears up on its own. Doctors also can screen pregnant women for STDs and treat them during pregnancy to prevent transmission of the infection to the baby.

Many babies are born with a narrow or blocked tear duct, a condition which usually clears up on its own. Sometimes, though, it can lead to conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of Pinkeye

The different types of pinkeye can have different symptoms. And symptoms can vary from child to child.

One of the most common symptoms is discomfort in the eye. A child may say that it feels like there's sand in the eye. Many kids have redness of the eye and inner eyelid, which is why conjunctivitis is often called pinkeye. It can also cause discharge from the eyes, which may cause the eyelids to stick together when the child awakens in the morning. Some kids have swollen eyelids or sensitivity to bright light.

In cases of allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness and tearing are common symptoms.

Contagiousness

Cases of pinkeye that are caused by bacteria and viruses are contagious. (Conjunctivitis caused by allergies or environmental irritants are not.)

A child can get pinkeye by touching an infected person or something an infected person has touched, such as a used tissue. In the summertime, pinkeye can spread when kids swim in contaminated water or share contaminated towels. It also can be spread through coughing and sneezing. Doctors usually recommend keeping kids diagnosed with contagious conjunctivitis out of school, day care, or summer camp for a short time.

Someone who has pinkeye in one eye can also inadvertently spread it to the other eye by touching the infected eye, then touching the other one.

Preventing Pinkeye

To prevent pinkeye caused by infections, teach kids to wash their hands often with warm water and soap. They also should not share eye drops, tissues, eye makeup, washcloths, towels, or pillowcases with other people.

Be sure to wash your own hands thoroughly after touching an infected child's eyes, and throw away items like gauze or cotton balls after they've been used. Wash towels and other linens that the child has used in hot water separately from the rest of the family's laundry to avoid contamination.

If you know your child is prone to allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed on days when the pollen is heavy, and dust and vacuum frequently to limit allergy triggers in the home. Irritant conjunctivitis can only be prevented by avoiding the irritating causes.

Many cases of pinkeye in newborns can be prevented by screening and treating pregnant women for STDs. A pregnant woman may have bacteria in her birth canal even if she shows no symptoms, which is why prenatal screening is important.

Treating Pinkeye

Pinkeye caused by a virus usually goes away on its own without any treatment. If a doctor suspects that the pinkeye has been caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic eye drops or ointment will be prescribed.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to get kids to tolerate eye drops several times a day. If you're having trouble, put the drops on the inner corner of your child's closed eye — when the child opens the eye, the medicine will flow into it. If you continue to have trouble with drops, ask the doctor about antibiotic ointment. It can be applied in a thin layer where the eyelids meet, and will melt and enter the eye.

If your child has allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe anti-allergy medication, which comes in the form of pills, liquid, or eye drops.
Cool or warm compresses and acetaminophen or ibuprofen may make a child with pinkeye feel more comfortable. You can clean the edges of the infected eye carefully with warm water and gauze or cotton balls. This can also remove the crusts of dried discharge that may cause the eyelids to stick together first thing in the morning.

When to Call the Doctor

If you think your child has pinkeye, it's important to contact your doctor to try to determine what's causing it and how to treat it. Other serious eye conditions can mimic conjunctivitis, so a child who complains of severe pain, changes in eyesight, or sensitivity to light should be reexamined. If the pinkeye does not improve after 2 to 3 days of treatment, or after a week when left untreated, call your doctor.

If your child has pinkeye and starts to develop increased swelling, redness, and tenderness in the eyelids and around the eye, along with a fever, call your doctor. Those symptoms may mean the infection has started to spread beyond the conjunctiva and will require additional treatment.

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD

Kapas Marang Swimathon 2009

Tomorrow my husband, Rafiq Khan will be one of the contestants. 6.5km open water swim from Kapas Island to Pantai Peranginan Kelulut, Marang. He had been training hard and completing this event will boost his confidence to venture to bigger dreams..his ultimate goal.

I am worried sick because training in the pool and facing the open sea is totally not the same. Nevertheless, I know he can do it. Even if he doesn't make it within the stipulated time, I am still proud of him. Bringing home a medal will be a bonus. Good luck and be safe!

My Life Is An Open Book

I have started blogging..again. Thus, my life becomes an open book.

Hmmm...