The tests and x-rays

We went to JPMC for our next appointment yesterday. It was going to be quite late in the afternoon, we were so full of anticipations. I know I was, not sure about hubby. He looked just the same, thats what I love about him. He can take things on his own stride, no worry at all. Well, maybe he does worry but he is so good at hiding them or managing them. Its not fair for me to say he never worry though, he is also human. But I salute him for having that strength, or I think thats a talent. And another thing I admire about him, is that he could switch off just like that. What I mean by that was, he could sleep at night even he has a huge problem to look into. He said he could just switch everything off and have a good night sleep and worry about it when he wakes up. It was so different from me. I could never do that. I could not switch off. I guess thats what nature defines a man and a woman. Women worry too much. And in the end it takes it toll and women always look older than man. Thats what happen with us anyway lol.

I remember when we were in Beijing, one chinese lady shop owner thought I was his mother! His mother? How old did l look like? 60? We played along for a while and asked the woman how old my husband was. And she said, 28. 28??? Hahaha... Funny right? Or was it weird? It took a while for me to recover from the shock, what a offending remarks! So you know what I mean? Thats my whole point, how I looked older than him although hubby is 4 years older than me. Sigh... time for those age defying cream huh, huhu.

Anyway, back to our appointment yesterday. Ok, I went for 3 tests, normal x-ray, breast ultrasound and mammogram. It took almost one hour of test, took longer than we expected. I had to change 3 times to hospital gown in 3 different room. Made me wonder why didn’t all the x-ray machines to be in the same room? Save time, save space and space laundry detergent for the 3 hospital gowns. Am I right or not? Emm... well, thats just me, who always question everything.

The first x-ray, no problem. This is just to check my abdomen or torso. For my heart, liver, tummy, pancreas and kidney. This was the shortest x-ray amongst the 3, done in a zip. Then I moved on to the next test and thats the mammogram. The dreaded test, I was so worried about. Not that it was harmful but more to the physical thing that will happen to me which I am not going to elaborate here, hahaha. It took about 15 minutes and it was over. Everything that I imagined happened and it was so uncomfortable and i didn’t like it one bit. But I knew this was a very important test and I knew I must went through it. The machine was intimidating enough, and I was lucky the nurse was very gentle in handling the situation. So all was good. The last test was the ultrascan of the breast. It was done in a zippy too. Nothing invasive here, and I got to lay down in bed and relax and let the nurse do her ‘thing”, hahaha. As I said it took almost one hour while hubby was waiting for me outside.

Once everything was done, we said thanks, went home and later proceeded to the outpatient department for hubby’s results. Wow.. alhamdulilah, he was given a clean bill of health except one minor issue, fatty liver. Not sure what that was though, he may need to control his cholesterol level but I think his was under control already. Anyway, we were happy he was ok, everything from the test was normal so its good news. We’ll just have to wait for my result next week, I hope all will come negative and I will be given a clean bill of health too.

I was intimidated with the size of this machine, the Mamography machine.

The room where the Mammography machine is, I was waiting here for my turn and being questioned by the nurse.

The other test, the ultrasound machine.

The sign on the door.

The room to the x-ray room - diagnostic imaging department.

On our way to the diagnostic department.

The many departments of the clinic.

The entrace we used from the back of the building.

The road leading up to the clinic - the clinic signage

Tuition classes

I just heard a surprise news from my daughter. She wanted to quit her tuition. Because its not helping on her study. I didn’t know what to think. Was this a good idea at all? She insisted she wanted to go for tuition early on, hubby and I agreed with her that she needed some sort of helping hands in her study. So we looked around and gave her the opportunity and hoping these tuition classes will help her further. This new turn of event surprised us. But when she told me her rationale behind the decision, it did make sense. Didnt expect her to think that way, maybe I under estimate my "little" girl (I always thought of her as my little girl, although she will be 16 in a week!), she is more grown up and mature than I thought. And for that I am so proud of her.

Well, I guess its true if your expectation was not met, the best way is just stop expecting and move on. I sent her for Physics and Chemistry tuitions but it seemed that the tutors were not capable enough to handle the syllabus. My daughter was having a hard time understanding the tutors. My daughter told me when she asked questions there were times when the tutors were not sure of themselves of the answers. And it didn’t help at all since she became more confused. And its very very important that she understands her subjects and these tutors should be able to eradicate any confusion and misunderstanding she might have. There is no time to waste, her big exam is coming and looming. And we have to act fast.

And more so, she is already attending extra classes from her school. Every day. These teachers are trying very hard to improve the students grade and get themselves ready for the exam. And my daughter was correct when she said her teachers are good teachers, have all the experiences they need and know the trade very well. So why should she need these tuition classes where all the tutors were not really established teachers, and some were only students themselves? Mm.. make sense, right?

So we have reached a decision. I will allow her to quit Physics and Chemistry but she will still have to go for Maths and POA tuitions. Since I think for these 2 subjects, all you need are good practice, over and over again. And she told me her school teachers for Maths and POA are not as good as the rest so I think its only fair to have a helping hand in these 2 subjects.

Her mid year exam is now over, and now is the moment of truth. How well she performed. Did she get good marks? She knew a few already, the results were quiet ok although I feel she could do better. If she allow herself to push a little bit further then I am sure she can do very well. A mother could always hope right?

Weekend activities

Jam packed as usual.

Breakfast

The Mall

Shopping

Library

And car service

The easiest pasta recipe in the world

This fetuccine chicken carbonara is one of the favourite meal in our household. My daughter just loves it. When in restaurants she always ask for this if its in the menu. And making it is just so simple, as simple as eating it. All I need are fresh milk, butter, flour, parmesan cheese, some chicken, a bit of nutmeg for flavour, fetuccine of course and thats it. But I dont really fancy it by the way, I love making it but for me, its too thick and too milky and doesnt really agree with my tummy. But its so easy to make!

Exam Time

Not me of course, its my daughter! My girl is in the midst of her mid year exam at the mo. I can see she is under lots of stress, pressure, whatever you want to call it. I know she works hard, she revises alot and spend so much time reading her books. But sometimes its still hard to score good marks and I can understand that. So I try not to push her too much, I also know she knows that I want her to do well. And she always has this guilty face if she didnt. Which is understandable of course, I am counting on her. Afterall she is the only daughter I have.

I do hope she will do reasonably well this time. She is a good student and can really score high marks, almost all her teacher said so when we had a few parents teachers meeting over the years. I am proud to say she is always within top 10 range in her class so she really doesnt do too bad. What could a mother hope for.

Come October she will have the biggest exam of all - the GCE O level. The milestone for any student before they move on to pre-U education. Its such a big deal and I am rooting for her to do well.

Cancer Pre-Screening Day

We went to our Cancer pre screening appt today.

Hubby appt started at 8am and without any delay, his was finished in about 30 minutes, x-ray and all. He was all done while I was still waiting for the doctor to do her round at the ward and hubby joined me at the gynae department. I was alone at first and joined by a few very pregnant ladies with their husbands, not very comfortable with it and I was so relieved when hubby arrived and sit with me. At least we can talked and joked around. I was a bit tense looking at these people and only when hubby joined me felt ok. Then being the impatient me, I went to reception and enquired why the doctor was so late. Mind you we have been waiting for about 45 minutes already and still no doctor. They apologized and informed me the ward was full this week so the doctor had to do many rounds. Well, who could argue with that but at least the clinic could have an extra one or two doctors to attend to all the patients but hey I think I can survive 45 minutes.

At around 9ish, my doctor turned up, met her for the first time, a petite Malay doctor from Malaysia. Same age as me even so we clicked quiet ok. The appointment started with the usual Q&A about my medical history and all. I had the whole file in front of her since this is not the first time I was there, so basically we all on the same level on where I am in that department. She told me, I will undergo some blood test, will do x-ray and pap smear. These are all covered, then I asked her, what about mammogram? She shake her head, this is apparently not included and I have to pay B$150 extra for that test. For me that test is very important, it can detect the slight abnormalities in the breast so I feel I need to have that test, so I think I want to be scheduled for one, amid I have to pay extra. So its settled, mammogram here I come. Don’t want to think about that now, since I know that procedure could be uncomfortable so I will worry about it when the time comes.

Then we proceeded with the pap smear in another room. Again this is not the first time I did this so I know whats going to happen. It took about 10 minutes, the doctor told me everything to see on the screen and she found a big fabriod on my uterine wall, which was quiet scary when I looked at it. But the doctor told me not to worry. Shouldn’t I? To find out something is growing in my uterus? I know fibroid is common occurance anyway but still I need to look into it further if need be.

The x-ray and mammogram will have to be scheduled on another date. So its going to be on 29th April at 3.15pm. I am thinking of taking the day off on that day, since I couldn’t afford to be at work and have to rush to the clinic. But I may be working from Bandar so we will see how it goes.

2nd consultation will be on 5th of May, that’s when I’ll be seeing the doctor again and discussed the result and decide on what to do next if it comes to that. We were all done at around 10.30am with the next appointments in hand.

So for now, my mind is set for 29th April where I will undergo the x-ray and mammogram. Hubby also has his 2nd consultation on the same day so its good to coincide together.

Nervous… nervous… for the mammogram. But even more nervous for the result!

This is the main lobby of the clinic, JPMC.

Main entrance to the Gynae Clinic where I had all my test and consultation.

Hubby reading while waiting for me and my test.

Had lunch at Secret Recipe when everything was over for the day.

BFF 3rd Anniversary

Hubby took me to attend BFF 3rd anniversary on sunday at Serasa Beach. It was a picnic with the BFF team members with lots of food as usual. I didnt know any of these people so I didnt quiet had a good time. It was ok but we just stayed for a few hours. Those people were noisy and naughty bunch of guys and gals but I didnt quiet blend with everyone. (Note to self - try to be more friendly next time hahaha).

Some pictures taken from the event.

Something to ponder

I have something to ponder today. Just found out from a colleague a friend of ours (well, we used to be from the same dept) has cancer. It came as a shock and I didn’t expect this to happen. She is a diabetic, has to inject herself every day to keep her sugar level at bay. And now this. I feel a sense of apprehension about her. Its that dreaded disease again.

If i can be totally honest, I used to envy her. She has everything a woman could dream of. A good career, a mother to 4 beautiful children, good family and so on. Although she is a diabetic for a long time but that didn’t hinder her from having a good life. She is a picture of health, always happy and laughing. But hey what do you know? Life is so full of the unexpected. I wonder how she is doing right now since I haven’t spoken to her for a long time. Although I know she’s been away from office quiet alot. Poor girl.

Subha Nallah, Allah is the Greatest. When I thought at times how I am missing alot, so many things slipped from my hand. So many unfulfilled dreams. I used to look at people who seems to have everything in life, and envy them. Always ask myself how they could be so lucky? How they always want something and get them? But then I was awakened with this kind of news. I am so sad for her, and realise how the treatment going to be like but Allah is so merciful and so fair. I may be tested in other ways but I was also spared from such hardships. And I just need to go to that pre-screening next week and I leave everything in His hands. Allahuakbar! He knows what to do. And He never disappoints His subjects. I just want to cry and praise the Al-Mighty. It turned out my life is not so bad afterall.

Alhamdulilah.

Another chill out weekend

Its good having nothing to do for a change. The day started rather rough. The maid from hell forgot that she has to make tea in the morning. Forgot! This is something she does every morning anyway, and she forgot! I rest my case. She is just simply the greatest forgetful person in the whole wide world and I applaud her for it (I hope you readers can detect my sarcasm there, ok).

Enough of that. My daughter is stressful. Tomorrow will be her big exam. And she has to go for tuition today. She suggested leaving early and missed one lesson so she has time to do more revision before the big day tomorrow. I am supportive of her decision so I picked her up early and off we went to have lunch since its almost 1pm anyway.

Tried a new restaurant in our area called DAPURKITA tucked away in Jerudong not so famous rows of shops. Its small but the food was quiet ok. I love the vegetable soup. And the utensils were given in a glass of hot water, meaning to kill the germs. Hubby was not coming with us so I thought of telling him of this restaurant and give it another go next time.

The restaurant. Not so obvious from the main Jerudong road.

The utensils in the hot water.

Loved this drink, unfortunately I forgot the name. Its a combination of strawberry and orange juice. Behind the glass was the soup.
Our lunch.

"I am free nothing to do" afternoon post

Just feel like featuring this singer from Brunei who has the opportunity to record a video with Samantha Mumba in the UK. His name is Hilmi Zaini or Hill. Hill was a contestant on the P2F talent show in 2008 and was put through to the 'Final 12'. Then through talent scout, Hill headed to London, England and signed with Sensible Records. His first single, "Stay in the Middle", a duet with Irish platinum-selling artist Samantha Mumba, was released on iTunes in August 2009, with an album scheduled for release in 2010.

I guess more promotion is needed since not so many people knew about him. My daughter didnt know about him. But this song is quiet good, I kind of like it. We heard him for the first time last friday when he was featured in Kristal FM, our local radio station.

Good for him, at least he can bring Brunei to the eyes of the world and wish him success in the future. Enjoy the song!

Pissed Off!

We have the maid from hell!

I am so pissed off. What else do you have to do as an Amah? Wake up early and do whats need to be done right? Not sleep late and I had to wake you up!

My maid is the most fortunate maid in the world. She has the less work to do at home. She has absolutely nothing much to do. There are only 3 of us. And the house is not that big with plenty of rooms. She washes cloths like 3 or 4 pieces per day. Iron clothes maybe less than that. Tidy and dust the house like every other day and she sleeps around 9pm every night. She doesnt even cook. What more could you ask? At least be there when I need you and not oversleep and this is not the first time!

I am now “this close” to sending you home. But I am being kind to you since I know you comes from a poor family and I know you try to help your family. So I’ll give you more time and see if things will improve. Afterall you’ve been working for us for a year now.

(Note to self : Sabar itu separuh daripada Iman!)

The new Apple iPod nano

Another Apple model finds its way into our house within a month! Last night my daughter bought her first Ipod Nano. The latest iPod is so cool and sleek. It has a video camera, a polished anodized aluminum finish, and a larger screen. Also : FM radio with Live!

My daughter was really excited and it costs us B$288 for 16GB memory. She choose Purple iPod of course.

My daughter new iPod, purple colour but doesnt look purple here, lol. Its from our old Sony Cybershot camera so the colour was no good.

My daughter and hubby tried the iPod from our local Apple agent at the Mall.

Us at the front of Avelectronic at the Mall.

And of course dinner. At Pizza Hut the Mall


We tried the new Ocean Supreme which was not supreme at all. Not nice and not recommended, sorry! But we love the cheesy bite so its not that bad. And the rest were ok too.

Our Favourite

This is another favourite recipe in our household. I made this not as often but as much as I could. Its very nice and healthy, good source of protein. The chicken was baked with Parsley which has a very nice taste and aroma. A good and ideal dinner.

So dinner is Chicken Kieve with pasta. Yummy.

Parsley is one of our favourite herbs. I try to use this under appreciated source of vegetables as much as I can. It has a strongly nice aroma and we love it mixed in our food. Do you know that Parsley contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, and twice as much iron as spinach. It's an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A and folate, as well.

Lets find out what else Parsley is good for :

It fights cancer! Parsley contains volatile oils that have been found to inhibit tumor formation in animal studies, particularly those in the lungs. The oils are not only cancer-fighting, they're also known to neutralize carcinogens including those found in cigarette smoke and charcoal grill smoke. Parsley also contains folic acid, which has been found to help prevent colon and cervical cancers.

Its rich in antioxidant. Parsley contains beneficial antioxidant compounds called flavonoids. These compounds combine with oxygen-containing molecules and help prevent cells which are damaged.

Its good for the heart. The folic acid in parsley is a critical nutrient in cardiovascular health. Specifically, folic acid helps convert potentially dangerous homocysteine into harmless molecules, a process that protects blood vessels and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

And it protects against rheumatoid arthritis. A study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that people who ate the least amount of vitamin-C-rich foods (like parsley) had a three times greater chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those who ate the most.

Parsley also found to be good at preventing anemia, boldness, diarrea, good for digestion, gout, etc, etc....

So there. I've proved my point!

Appointment

The cancer pre screening proved to be an instant hit. Well, i guess thats a good thing. Awareness is important and to be proactive for your own body is another good attribute. To anyone.

We called JPMC to make appointment yesterday and they were fully booked until mid April. Today after picking up a suitable date we called them again and made that appointment. So our appointment will be on 21st April, both me and hubby but we will go and see separate doctors. Hubby will go to Outpatient department and I will be at Gynae department. Thats where they will do the pre-screening.

I was looking for my old doctor in Gynae but sadly she no longer with JPMC. There were now only 2 doctors so I opted for a Malay lady doctor from Malaysia. (Side note for myself : I wonder why our local doctors are not employed there. Is there some sort of standards for employment? Are the benefits not attractive enough? I know there are lots of local doctors these days so whats going on?)

I am hoping all will go well. We may not be getting the results right away though. But I don’t like waiting for results like that. Alot will appear in your mind, all the anticipations, will it be good or bad? Those sort of things. So i guess I need to take a very deep breath and try to be cool about this whole thing because sometimes it can drive me crazy.