Stomach Woes (Part 1)

Ever since I came down with chicken pox end October last year, my gut has not been the same. I have not been able to eat most of my meals without ending in pain, bloating which made me feel as though I was a balloon, retching up acid, heartburn which resembled a heart attack and intestine rumblings which sounded like there was a full symphony orchestra playing a sonata at fortissimo and vivace.

Nothing worked even though I swallowed all the necessary pills which used to work. I'm sure my gut resembled a pharmacy.

I tried restricting my diet even more. Even the non-FODMAP food were causing problems too! It came to a point that drinking water too caused stomach woes.

I went to see Mr. Gastroenterologist who did a few tests and placed me on different medication. But nothing worked. And every test result came back perfect.

And then I started to have loose stools.

Mr. Gastroenterologist took some stool samples but it was perfect too!

Mr. Gastroenterologist then told me that sometimes the stomach goes bonkers for a period of time after a severe viral infection. I'm most probably in that state and that I need drugs to help tie me over till it settles back to normal again. How long is anyone's guess. In the meantime, I had to go on a soft diet. I asked for a period of one month before I go back to see him again. I needed time for the drugs and the soft diet to work.

Unfortunately before one month was over, Mr. Gastroenterologist had to go for an emergency surgery and he has been on medical leave ever since. And I had not gotten any better.

And then in May, I was struck with such crippling pain to the point that it felt like I was having an appendicitis! (I've had an appendicitis about 10 years back and had my appendix removed.) I couldn't move, I couldn't eat. I could just curl up on the sofa in pain. I needed help ASAP!

But who should I see?

I knew that I couldn't go back to see Rock Star. He would just prescribe me Nexium, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety pills, pat my hand and tell me that I research too much and that I'm stressed.

Who then should I see?

I went to a GP nearby my house to get a referral letter. He suggested that I see his university mate who is a gastroenterologist. I thought why not give him a try. But the gnawing feeling in my gut would not leave me in peace.

So I searched and looked up on the internet for all the gastroenterologists in 3 hospitals. And then I saw this doctor and my gut started screaming that this is the guy that I'm supposed to see!

So I made the appointment......


..... to be continued

Kill Ya Fresh!

Sometime back in March this year, I sent my car for its annual wax and polish session after the car was serviced. This year, I tried it at a car wash shop/spa which is very near my house. I had sent my car to this shop for it to be washed for almost a year. This wasn't a new place that I was trying out.

They recommended that I have my car air conditioner washed with this Klima Fresh as it kills mold, fungus and mildew. It also get rids of odour from the air conditioner coils. The car would be fresh! I questioned them on whether it is perfumed and they said no. I then agreed to try it out.

Worst decision ever!

Because I was bested by a horrific allergy-migraine, my judgement was impaired. The voice that was screaming NO inside my gut was drowned out by the pain in my head.

My heart sank the moment I got my car and turned on the air conditioner. The fake lemon-ey smell and chemical fumes were awful beyond words.

I called the usual guy at my car service centre and asked him about getting the air conditioner coils washed to clean out the smell and chemical. He said I would need to leave the car at the workshop for 3 days! They would need to remove the whole air conditioner coil and soak it in a solution!

I needed my car everyday! Thus, I resorted to a few tricks which I hoped would work.

Every morning and evening I would let the engine run with all the doors opened. I would switch off the air conditioner button and let the outside air in through the vents. I also set the temp to maximum. I did this for about 45 minutes for each morning and evening session.

The chemical still lingered.

I wore masks every time I entered the car. I wound down all the car windows and let the outside air in as I drove.

I placed green tea bags in containers inside the car!

I even changed my old car air purifier to Medklin as this model removes smell.

NOTHING WORKED!

And then one day, I parked the car under the hot sun by chance as there were no parking spots in the shaded area. This was during the time of the heat wave. I realised that the chemical smell had lessened!!!!!!!! I then parked it under the hot sun for a few more days. I left the windows slightly opened too!

I could kiss the sun as the god awful heat did the trick.

I learned my lesson. Never ever not listen to the gut feeling even when I am dying from pain. Never ever listen to people when they say that there is no smell.

What are Klima Fresh's ingredients you ask? Halogenated hydrocarbons, ethanol, benzyl alchohol, LINALOOL and d-LIMONE!!!!

Epi Pen Shortage June 2019

Some Epi-Pens expiration dates are extended due to the shortage.

Click HERE for detailed announcement.

Thermomix Minced Pork & Soft Tofu

Ingredients:

1. 400gm of minced pork belly (seasoned with sea-salt)
2. 1 pack of soft tofu (300gm)
3. 1 cup of filtered water
4. Sea-salt
5. Pepper (optional)
6. Cooking oil
7. Spring onion (the dark green parts) (chopped into small pieces)

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1. Place all the ingredients inside the TMX jug.

2. Cover with the lid and mixing cup.

3. Set 25 minutes/100C/Reverse spoon.

4. Once it is done, pour onto serving dish and garnish with some spring onions.

5. Serve hot with rice.

Bon appetit!

Just For Laughs (32)

*picture taken from HERE

Pressure Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1. 500gm beef (cut into chunks)
2. 5 to 6 potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)
3. 3 carrots (peeled and cut into about same size as potatoes)
4. Sea-salt
5. Coconut nectar/maple syrup
6. Cooking oil
7. 500ml water
8. Tapioca/Potato starch
9. Pepper (optional)

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1. Place all ingredients above into pressure cooker pot and cook for 1/2 hour.

2. Serve hot with rice.

Bon appetit!