Yesterday, Joel and I had gotten worse. The never-ending-spiking-fever which he had since Monday night had rose to 104.3F! I, on the other hand felt a cold in my chest and as though weights have been placed on my chest. I felt that it was getting difficult to breathe.
By 9 something in the morning, we went to the hospital. There was the usual long waiting list at Joel's pediatrician's clinic. And the doctor on call at the ER had a patient with a severe, full-blown heart attack! The doctor had to accompany the patient to another hospital in the ambulance as he wasn't stable. This hospital is not equipped to admit such cases. Thus, we had to wait for another doctor to attend to us.
Joel had a blood test and the results showed that he had a bacterial infection! He was placed on a 5-day-antibiotics treatment. He finally slept through last night after waking at every single night from the raging fevers.
--------------------------------------------
Finally it was my turn to see the doctor. Here are the excerpts of the conversation:
Little Miss Doctor: You had high fever?
Me: No. I only have low-grade fever. My son has very high fever. It started on Monday night and he is currently still burning. (We haven't received his blood test results at this point of time.)
LMD: Have you had this before?
Me: I don't know what I have now. But both my son and I had Influenze B last month and we fully recovered 2 weeks ago.
LMD: Did you finish your Tamiflu?
Me: I did not take Tamiflu. But my son finished his Tamiflu.
LMD: (In an appalled tone) Why did you not take the Tamiflu????
Me: I have a condition called Idiopathic Anaphylaxis. I basically have no idea what can kill me or save/heal me.
LMD: (In an irritated tone) What drugs are you allergic to?
Me: NSAIDs, painkillers, panadol, aspirin...
LMD: (With eyes as wide as teacup saucers) WHAT??!! PANADOL??!!
Me: Yes, P.A.N.A.D.O.L! (which is basically paracetamol)
LMD: What about antibiotics?
Me: Bactrim. Sometimes I am able to take medications for the first time. The second time round, I have an allergic reaction.
LMD: (Gives me the look as if I am LYING and says in a matronly and condescending tone) Well, since you did not take Tamiflu, you still might be having Influenza B.
Me: But I recovered and was symptom-free for 2 weeks. The raging fever stopped. In fact, I have not had fever since then, until now. I thought our body is able to fight the influenza virus on its own? I know that it takes longer to recover without Tamiflu. What about people who are allergic to Tamiflu? How do they overcome the viral fever then?
LMD: Ignores my questions AND statements, glares at me and barks out orders to the nurse to give a chest X-Ray, swab for Influenza A & B, blood tests.)
---------------------------------------------------
While I was on the sick bed, behind the curtains at the sick bay waiting for my blood to be drawn, I could feel her irritation as she continued to bark out orders to the nurses. I asked the nurse as she drew my blood (and LMD was within earshot) who this doctor was. I even asked whether she was some locum doctor. (She must have been super-pissed when she heard that! I was super-extremely pissed at her!) Apparently she is a full-time doctor at the hospital!
As a person with this truly pain-in-the-ass condition, I cannot understand why doctors think that I am spewing out crap just to make their job difficult. Do you think I enjoy living my life like this???? Whatever happened to being compassionate to your patients? If you don't have compassion and you think you know everything, you're a sad case of a doctor! Your ignorance, stupidity, arrogance and cold-indifferent attitude will kill your patients sooner or later. You should resign and look for another job where human contact is at a minimal.
Ask yourself, who in their right mind would want to go through sickness, by prolonging it and suffering from the maximum effects of not being able to take medication??? I am certainly not one. I have no choice. I could experiment, but could you guarantee that I will not keel over and die (or worse end up in a comatose state!)
To all doctors out there, please think before you judge us. We are no longer in the medieval times where someone who does something or lives out of the ordinary is a witch, whose end is at the stake, to be burned alive. We have advanced. We have knowledge. We are supposed to be smarter. Allergies, sensitivities, anaphylaxis and idiopathic anaphylaxis are real. People like me are real. We exist. Somewhere along the line, our immune system got screwed up. Instead of wasting your time (and mine) asking and making stupid questions and remarks, go and read up and talk to specialists and doctors who are experts in this line.
---------------------------------------------------
As I was waiting for my results, the usual ER doctor came back! Hallelujah!!!!!! Though he has never met someone like me, he understands and accepts and always tries to accommodate me where treatment and medications are concerned. And he LISTENS! And remembers what I tell him about my condition.
My results showed that I have a severe viral flu. Not influenza (as the swabs both came back negative), but a viral flu. My platelet and white blood cells are so low that the doctor thought that I have dengue! Luckily, the dengue test came back negative! Thank god!
Joel and I have been weakened tremendously by the Influenza B. When I went to the pharmacist to collect my antihistamines and nasal sprays, the pharmacist thought that I had Influenza! I told her that was last month. This month is another viral attack. She told me that many in the hospital were down with the influenza. One of her colleagues had the influenza in October last year. And it takes a few months for the immune system to be back in tip-top condition! And in-between, we will fall sick more than usual! I went, "WHAT??!!! You mean to say that this isn't going to be the last attack????" The thing is, Joel's pediatrician and the nice ER doctor told us the same thing!
Oh my god....
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Friday, 12 April 2013
Back At Square One
We've only just recovered,
Barely two weeks ago,
And now we're back at where we started,
Revolting even at the thought of gumbo.
We've only just recovered,
Still tired and weak,
But not the least bothered,
As our air was no longer bleak.
We're back at square one,
In battle with a virus again,
Our immune system being guzzled by a glutton,
Trapped inside a bullpen.
We're back at square one,
We're hit left, right and centre,
By fatigue, fever, flu and we've fallen,
It seems worn and torn, our armour.
We're in the thick of the battle,
Where good food and sleep are our weapons,
And that we're normal for feeling mighty mortal,
Secretly, we're loading our canons.
We're screaming out the mighty battle cry,
Knowing well in our hearts that 'shit happens'
We'll collect our treasure at Mount Sinai,
And we'll just step over a thousand mighty canyons.
We'll say goodbye to the fool
Who said 'You've caught a cold,
'Because of the ice inside your soul'
Our healing will be two-fold, five-fold and ten-fold,
And our health will be our stronghold,
Now and forevermore.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Lightly Salted, Garlic Rice
Ever since I fell sick this second time, I have been craving for garlic rice! Not fried garlic rice, but cooked lightly salted, garlic rice.
Ingredients:
1. 4 cups of sushi rice
2. 1/2 bulb of garlic (outer layer intact) (wash the outer layer under running water to remove soil and dust)
3. 1/2 teaspoon of sea-salt
4. 2 1/2 cups of filtered water
5. Butter (If you want it to be buttery. My stomach isn't able to take anything oily at the moment)
----------------------------------------------------------
1. Wash rice under running water twice in rice pot.
2. Pour the 2 1/2 cups of filtered water into the pot.
3. Add the salt and stir to mix thoroughly with the rice and water.
4. Add the garlic cloves.
5. Cook the rice for 15 minutes on high heat and 15 minutes on medium low heat.
6. Serve hot with dishes.
Bon appétit!
Ingredients:
1. 4 cups of sushi rice
2. 1/2 bulb of garlic (outer layer intact) (wash the outer layer under running water to remove soil and dust)
3. 1/2 teaspoon of sea-salt
4. 2 1/2 cups of filtered water
5. Butter (If you want it to be buttery. My stomach isn't able to take anything oily at the moment)
----------------------------------------------------------
1. Wash rice under running water twice in rice pot.
2. Pour the 2 1/2 cups of filtered water into the pot.
3. Add the salt and stir to mix thoroughly with the rice and water.
4. Add the garlic cloves.
5. Cook the rice for 15 minutes on high heat and 15 minutes on medium low heat.
6. Serve hot with dishes.
Bon appétit!
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Viral Infection... AGAIN!
Joel and I have caught another virus. Our immune system is still down after the influenza b infection. Thus the susceptibility to another infection. We've been having simple food such as steam chicken, leafy veggie and ABC chicken soup.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Container Garden - An Update
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| Baby grasshopper! |
 |
| The yam plant! |
 |
| One of the three cucumbers in the garden! My first ever successful plant! |
 |
| The okras are flourishing! |
 |
| The garden soldier fly grubs who are composting machines. They chomp away at my decomposing food and produce compost for my garden! Amazing! |
 |
| Terry the FAT toad sunbathing! |
 |
| Spinach harvest! |
 |
| Abundant spring onion harvest! |
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| An Oleander Hawk Caterpillar in the process of turning into a pupa. |
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| 2 Orange Dog Caterpillars on the lime tree. |
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| A Swallowtail butterfly on the orange tree. |
Friday, 5 April 2013
3 EPI-PENS in Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya
There were 5 Epi-Pens in Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya when I called up yesterday. I went there early this morning and got 2. They have 3 left this morning. The expiry date is June 2014. If you are in need of Epi-Pens, better be quick!
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Soft Butter Buns
Ingredients:
1. 3 1/2 cups of organic unbleached all-purpose flour
2. 2 teaspoons of instant yeast
3. 4 tablespoons of soft brown sugar
4. 100gms of butter (softened at room temperature)
5. 1 1/4 cups of warm soy milk (click here for soybean milk recipe)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix and knead into a soft and smooth dough.
2. Cover the bowl with a cling wrap or damp towel. Allow the dough to rise for 60 to 90 minutes or until it has doubled in bulk.
3. Punch the dough back down.
4. Divide the dough into equal round pieces.
5. Roll the dough in between your palms into a smooth ball.
6. Place the buns in a baking tray.
7. Allow the buns to rise until they are crowded against each other.
8. Preheat oven at 180C.
9. Bake the buns for about 1/2 hour or until golden brown.
10. Allow to slightly cool before serving them warm.
Bon appétit!
1. 3 1/2 cups of organic unbleached all-purpose flour
2. 2 teaspoons of instant yeast
3. 4 tablespoons of soft brown sugar
4. 100gms of butter (softened at room temperature)
5. 1 1/4 cups of warm soy milk (click here for soybean milk recipe)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix and knead into a soft and smooth dough.
2. Cover the bowl with a cling wrap or damp towel. Allow the dough to rise for 60 to 90 minutes or until it has doubled in bulk.
3. Punch the dough back down.
4. Divide the dough into equal round pieces.
5. Roll the dough in between your palms into a smooth ball.
6. Place the buns in a baking tray.
7. Allow the buns to rise until they are crowded against each other.
8. Preheat oven at 180C.
9. Bake the buns for about 1/2 hour or until golden brown.
10. Allow to slightly cool before serving them warm.
Bon appétit!
Friday, 29 March 2013
Classic Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
1. 1/2 cup of butter (softened at room temperature)
2. 1/2 cup of soft brown sugar
3. 1 teaspoon of baking soda
4. 2 eggs (room temperature)
5. 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla essence
6. 1 1/2 cups of organic all-purpose flour
7. 3 cups of rolled oats
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix until well blended.
2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla essence and mix until well blended.
3. Add in the flour and mix thoroughly.
4. Add in the oats and mix thoroughly.
5. Preheat oven at 190C.
6. Drop tablespoons of dough on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
7. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool.
9. The cookies can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
1. 1/2 cup of butter (softened at room temperature)
2. 1/2 cup of soft brown sugar
3. 1 teaspoon of baking soda
4. 2 eggs (room temperature)
5. 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla essence
6. 1 1/2 cups of organic all-purpose flour
7. 3 cups of rolled oats
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix until well blended.
2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla essence and mix until well blended.
3. Add in the flour and mix thoroughly.
4. Add in the oats and mix thoroughly.
5. Preheat oven at 190C.
6. Drop tablespoons of dough on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
7. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
A Conversation With Doctor Zombie
Let me make myself clear before I begin today's post. I HATE hospitals. Totally loathe it. But then when I'm sick, that's the place I head to. I have no choice.
So after collapsing in bed at 10pm on Monday night, I woke up feeling better on Tuesday morning. The flu-ey-ness wasn't there. The raw throat was gone and the sickly feeling had disappeared. It is wonderful what a good night sleep can do to our body.
And then, I noticed the rash that had broken out on my right leg had gotten worse and it had spread overnight. And it was stinging. I have had shingles and I know how painful shingles can be. This wasn't shingles pain. But I became very worried that I had developed something else which could be passed to Joel (and my brother who is still currently very weak and tired from last week's influenza B attack).
Thus I headed to the hospital at 2 pm yesterday to see a physician. I wanted to find out what on earth I had.
So Mr. Physician took a look at my records online and saw that I had a bacterial AND influenza B infection 10 days ago and was given Zithromax, Tamilfu and anti-histamines. I told him that I did not take the Tamiflu as I did not know whether I would react in an anaphylactic reaction or not. That was when the 'conversation' became 'interesting'.
Note: Words in bold, in red and in brackets are MY THOUGHTS!
Mr. Physician: What are you allergic to, exactly?
Me: Salicylates and a .... (I got cut off before I could even finish answering his question) (WHY THE HELL DID HE EVEN BOTHER TO ASK ME?)
Mr. P: Oh, aspirin. Then why can't you take Tamiflu? Tamiflu is not aspirin, you know.
Me: (DUH! As if I can't tell the difference!) I have Idiopathic Anaphylaxis and do not know which medicines can kill me or help/save me.
Mr. P: What can you NOT take? (And gives me the look as if I have grown two devil's horns)
Me: (Actually, I cannot take idiotic doctors who give me idiotic looks as if I haven't the faintest idea of what I'm sensitive to!) Painkillers, NSAIDs, Paracetamol, Bactrim, tests which use dyes, food with colouring, preservative, flavoring, additives, MSG.
Mr. P: (In an appalled tone) WHAT DO YOU EAT THEN???!!!
Me: (My diet consists of brainless doctors. And there are plenty to go around in the Klang Valley alone!) I make, bake, cook everything that I eat. I eat everything fresh.
Mr. P: WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THAT??!! What quality of life do you have?!!
Me: (My life definitely has a HIGHER quality than yours obviously.) I have adapted, evolved and I am already used to it. I have lived like this for FOUR years now!
Mr. P: (Sputters and at a loss for words) But to reach to the point of anaphylaxis is SERIOUS!!
Me: (YAWN!!! Blah blah blah.... I am so tempted to smack this idiot on his forehead. As if I don't know that anaphylaxis is a serious thing. I almost died. You mean that is not serious???) Of course it is serious! I carry Epi-Pens with me. I have even used them. TWICE!!!
Mr. P: OOHHHH! You know about Epi-Pens! Where did you get yours? Malaysia no longer sells Epi-Pens!
Me: (BREAKS INTO A THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE!!! BRAVO!! 10 POINTS FOR MR. P FOR KNOWING THAT MALAYSIA NO LONGER SELLS EPI-PENS!!!!! CLAPS HANDS ECSTATICALLY! OF COURSE I KNOW ABOUT EPI-PENS! I HAD A.N.A.P.H.Y.L.A.X.I.S!! DUH!!!!!!!!) I order my Epi-Pens through hospitals. I got mine from Sime Darby. But the procedures takes about 2 months or so as they have to place an order directly to US.
Mr. P: Is there a cure for this thing that you have?
Me: (I wouldn't be sitting down here telling you that I have lived with this for FOUR YEARS if there is a cure for this thing that I have, now would I??) NOPE.
Mr. P: How did this happen to you? What happened that you developed this? Were you like this as a child?
Me: (Now you're using your brain!) No, I did not have this as a child. I had a normal childhood. I started being sensitive to Panadols, NSAIDs, painkillers one year after giving birth to my son. I had a very problematic pregnancy and was on hormones for 5 months as I had 3 near miscarriages. Most of the problems that I have today with my health started after giving birth to my son.
Mr. P: I have never come across someone like you!
Me: (But I've across MANY doctors like YOU! What's NEW??? I hear this all the time.) OK, so what is this rash on my leg? Is is a viral thing or something else?
Mr. P: It should not be dengue rash because your fever has broken for about 3 days now.
Me: What do you think this is? I am worried that it is something viral and that it could spread to my son and brother. (Oh GOD! He hasn't the faintest idea of what I have on my leg!) It does not look like shingles, does it?
Mr. P: Shingles is painful. Is this rash painful?
Me: This rash hurts but it does not hurt like shingles.
Mr. P: How do you know that shingles hurt?
Me: I have had shingles before! (DUH!!!!!!!!!!)
Mr. P: How OLD are you? Shingles usually strike the elderly.
Me: (I AM 120 years old!!!!!! AND I WILL STILL OUTLIVE YOU!) I am 36 this year. I had shingles when I was about 18 or so. Back then, I could never get the chicken pox even though I went near people with the virus. Even when my brother caught it real bad, I did not get it. And when I finally got it, I did not even know I had it because it was so minimal that I thought I had sand fly bites. I only knew that I had chicken pox when my GP noticed that I had shingles on my collar bone and that was only 4 bubbles. But it hurt like hell. So that is how I know that shingles hurt.
Mr. P: Did your doctor give you Acyclovir when you had the shingles back then?
Me: No.
Mr. P: Then what treatment did your doctor give you? Why did she not treat you with an anti-viral? Were you allergic back then?
Me: (HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW WHY SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ACYCLOVIR??! AND ARE YOU DEAF? DID YOU NOT HEAR THAT I WASN'T ALLERGIC BACK THEN? WHY MUST EVERYTHING BE TREATED WITH ANTI-VIRAL MEDS? CAN'T OUR BODY FIGHT IT?) No treatment whatsoever...................
Mr. P: Ok, if the rash becomes worse or it becomes bubble-like (as in shingles-like or chicken pox-like), come back and we'll run some blood tests and start you on Acyclovir if it is shingles.
Me: (WTF! I just told you that I am diagnosed as Idiopathic Anaphylaxis and you want to prescribe me Acyclovir. Even if you're the last doctor on earth, you won't see me 100 yards from your clinic. Thanks but no thanks!)
And before I walked out of Mr. P's clinic, I saw this frozen on his laptop screen. It was Plants vs. Zombies. No wonder he behaved in such a manner. The zombies have simply eaten his brains! HAH!
________________________________________________________________
Before I left the hospital, I went to the other side to look for Joel's pediatrician. I basically did NOT trust Mr. P's diagnosis (whatever that was). Dr. Pediatrician said that my immune system is currently very weak and I am picking up bacteria like a vacuum cleaner picking up lint. I must have scratched myself and somehow the follicles got infected with some bacteria. Fucicort twice a day will do the trick for about a week. And she told me to stay at home during this whole week and not go anywhere until I am strengthened.
And the Fucicort seems to be working!
So after collapsing in bed at 10pm on Monday night, I woke up feeling better on Tuesday morning. The flu-ey-ness wasn't there. The raw throat was gone and the sickly feeling had disappeared. It is wonderful what a good night sleep can do to our body.
And then, I noticed the rash that had broken out on my right leg had gotten worse and it had spread overnight. And it was stinging. I have had shingles and I know how painful shingles can be. This wasn't shingles pain. But I became very worried that I had developed something else which could be passed to Joel (and my brother who is still currently very weak and tired from last week's influenza B attack).
Thus I headed to the hospital at 2 pm yesterday to see a physician. I wanted to find out what on earth I had.
So Mr. Physician took a look at my records online and saw that I had a bacterial AND influenza B infection 10 days ago and was given Zithromax, Tamilfu and anti-histamines. I told him that I did not take the Tamiflu as I did not know whether I would react in an anaphylactic reaction or not. That was when the 'conversation' became 'interesting'.
Note: Words in bold, in red and in brackets are MY THOUGHTS!
Mr. Physician: What are you allergic to, exactly?
Me: Salicylates and a .... (I got cut off before I could even finish answering his question) (WHY THE HELL DID HE EVEN BOTHER TO ASK ME?)
Mr. P: Oh, aspirin. Then why can't you take Tamiflu? Tamiflu is not aspirin, you know.
Me: (DUH! As if I can't tell the difference!) I have Idiopathic Anaphylaxis and do not know which medicines can kill me or help/save me.
Mr. P: What can you NOT take? (And gives me the look as if I have grown two devil's horns)
Me: (Actually, I cannot take idiotic doctors who give me idiotic looks as if I haven't the faintest idea of what I'm sensitive to!) Painkillers, NSAIDs, Paracetamol, Bactrim, tests which use dyes, food with colouring, preservative, flavoring, additives, MSG.
Mr. P: (In an appalled tone) WHAT DO YOU EAT THEN???!!!
Me: (My diet consists of brainless doctors. And there are plenty to go around in the Klang Valley alone!) I make, bake, cook everything that I eat. I eat everything fresh.
Mr. P: WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THAT??!! What quality of life do you have?!!
Me: (My life definitely has a HIGHER quality than yours obviously.) I have adapted, evolved and I am already used to it. I have lived like this for FOUR years now!
Mr. P: (Sputters and at a loss for words) But to reach to the point of anaphylaxis is SERIOUS!!
Me: (YAWN!!! Blah blah blah.... I am so tempted to smack this idiot on his forehead. As if I don't know that anaphylaxis is a serious thing. I almost died. You mean that is not serious???) Of course it is serious! I carry Epi-Pens with me. I have even used them. TWICE!!!
Mr. P: OOHHHH! You know about Epi-Pens! Where did you get yours? Malaysia no longer sells Epi-Pens!
Me: (BREAKS INTO A THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE!!! BRAVO!! 10 POINTS FOR MR. P FOR KNOWING THAT MALAYSIA NO LONGER SELLS EPI-PENS!!!!! CLAPS HANDS ECSTATICALLY! OF COURSE I KNOW ABOUT EPI-PENS! I HAD A.N.A.P.H.Y.L.A.X.I.S!! DUH!!!!!!!!) I order my Epi-Pens through hospitals. I got mine from Sime Darby. But the procedures takes about 2 months or so as they have to place an order directly to US.
Mr. P: Is there a cure for this thing that you have?
Me: (I wouldn't be sitting down here telling you that I have lived with this for FOUR YEARS if there is a cure for this thing that I have, now would I??) NOPE.
Mr. P: How did this happen to you? What happened that you developed this? Were you like this as a child?
Me: (Now you're using your brain!) No, I did not have this as a child. I had a normal childhood. I started being sensitive to Panadols, NSAIDs, painkillers one year after giving birth to my son. I had a very problematic pregnancy and was on hormones for 5 months as I had 3 near miscarriages. Most of the problems that I have today with my health started after giving birth to my son.
Mr. P: I have never come across someone like you!
Me: (But I've across MANY doctors like YOU! What's NEW??? I hear this all the time.) OK, so what is this rash on my leg? Is is a viral thing or something else?
Mr. P: It should not be dengue rash because your fever has broken for about 3 days now.
Me: What do you think this is? I am worried that it is something viral and that it could spread to my son and brother. (Oh GOD! He hasn't the faintest idea of what I have on my leg!) It does not look like shingles, does it?
Mr. P: Shingles is painful. Is this rash painful?
Me: This rash hurts but it does not hurt like shingles.
Mr. P: How do you know that shingles hurt?
Me: I have had shingles before! (DUH!!!!!!!!!!)
Mr. P: How OLD are you? Shingles usually strike the elderly.
Me: (I AM 120 years old!!!!!! AND I WILL STILL OUTLIVE YOU!) I am 36 this year. I had shingles when I was about 18 or so. Back then, I could never get the chicken pox even though I went near people with the virus. Even when my brother caught it real bad, I did not get it. And when I finally got it, I did not even know I had it because it was so minimal that I thought I had sand fly bites. I only knew that I had chicken pox when my GP noticed that I had shingles on my collar bone and that was only 4 bubbles. But it hurt like hell. So that is how I know that shingles hurt.
Mr. P: Did your doctor give you Acyclovir when you had the shingles back then?
Me: No.
Mr. P: Then what treatment did your doctor give you? Why did she not treat you with an anti-viral? Were you allergic back then?
Me: (HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW WHY SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ACYCLOVIR??! AND ARE YOU DEAF? DID YOU NOT HEAR THAT I WASN'T ALLERGIC BACK THEN? WHY MUST EVERYTHING BE TREATED WITH ANTI-VIRAL MEDS? CAN'T OUR BODY FIGHT IT?) No treatment whatsoever...................
Mr. P: Ok, if the rash becomes worse or it becomes bubble-like (as in shingles-like or chicken pox-like), come back and we'll run some blood tests and start you on Acyclovir if it is shingles.
Me: (WTF! I just told you that I am diagnosed as Idiopathic Anaphylaxis and you want to prescribe me Acyclovir. Even if you're the last doctor on earth, you won't see me 100 yards from your clinic. Thanks but no thanks!)
And before I walked out of Mr. P's clinic, I saw this frozen on his laptop screen. It was Plants vs. Zombies. No wonder he behaved in such a manner. The zombies have simply eaten his brains! HAH!
________________________________________________________________
Before I left the hospital, I went to the other side to look for Joel's pediatrician. I basically did NOT trust Mr. P's diagnosis (whatever that was). Dr. Pediatrician said that my immune system is currently very weak and I am picking up bacteria like a vacuum cleaner picking up lint. I must have scratched myself and somehow the follicles got infected with some bacteria. Fucicort twice a day will do the trick for about a week. And she told me to stay at home during this whole week and not go anywhere until I am strengthened.
And the Fucicort seems to be working!
 |
| Part of the rash. |
Monday, 25 March 2013
Round TWO??!!
It seems that at this point of time, my immune system is very vulnerable to the world of the unseen viruses and bacterias. I was recovering when I felt something creeping in stealthily into my system... AGAIN!
I think I caught a secondary infection. Feeling fatigue, flu-ey, raw throat again and sneezing non-stop. Hopefully it is a secondary infection and NOT pneumonia. No fever at this point. Hopefully it does not come to that again.
Feeling kinda down but I refuse to ask why.
Simply because 'shit happens'.
I ate good food everyday and I slept enough (on many days, more than enough). Drinking tons of water and am just relaxing at home as it is school holidays.
The weather has been crazy of late. Sudden strong gusts of wind. And we've been having very bad hazy and hot days with sudden lashing storms. Staying indoors is fine by me! Imagine the dust. And a neighbour nearby has been having renovations for these past few months which never seem to end.
I'm just going to listen to more music and just let things be.
I think I caught a secondary infection. Feeling fatigue, flu-ey, raw throat again and sneezing non-stop. Hopefully it is a secondary infection and NOT pneumonia. No fever at this point. Hopefully it does not come to that again.
Feeling kinda down but I refuse to ask why.
Simply because 'shit happens'.
I ate good food everyday and I slept enough (on many days, more than enough). Drinking tons of water and am just relaxing at home as it is school holidays.
The weather has been crazy of late. Sudden strong gusts of wind. And we've been having very bad hazy and hot days with sudden lashing storms. Staying indoors is fine by me! Imagine the dust. And a neighbour nearby has been having renovations for these past few months which never seem to end.
I'm just going to listen to more music and just let things be.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Hassle-Free Moist Butter Cake
Ingredients:
1. 125gm of softened butter
2. 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
3. 3/4 cups of soft, brown sugar
4. 3 eggs (room temperature)
5. 1 1/2 cup of organic self-raising flour
6. 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
7. 1/2 cup of soya milk (room temperature)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Preheat oven at 180C.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat all ingredients until just combined.
3. Pour the mixture in a baking tray lined with baking paper.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes.
Bon appétit!
1. 125gm of softened butter
2. 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
3. 3/4 cups of soft, brown sugar
4. 3 eggs (room temperature)
5. 1 1/2 cup of organic self-raising flour
6. 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
7. 1/2 cup of soya milk (room temperature)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Preheat oven at 180C.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat all ingredients until just combined.
3. Pour the mixture in a baking tray lined with baking paper.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes.
Bon appétit!
Friday, 22 March 2013
Recovering!
Still having very low-grade fever during the nights. Just waiting it out. Still feeling tired and weak but slowly getting better, that's for sure!
Now that the worst is over, I started listening to music again. I like one of Justin Timberlake's latest song from his 20/20 Experience. It's called Mirrors.
Norah Jones' 'Miriam' is a chilling one! Watch it!
Now that the worst is over, I started listening to music again. I like one of Justin Timberlake's latest song from his 20/20 Experience. It's called Mirrors.
This woman is amazing!
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Still Battling Influenza B!
It has been a week since I fell really ill. In those times when I felt the nights really creeping by, today a week has passed.
The crazy fever spikes have left. I was still burning till 101F on Monday night. I went to see my ENT on Tuesday afternoon. He said that I was recovering and I might have a few more nights of mild fever. The insides of my sinus and nose were red, swollen and mighty bruised. And that's part of the aftermath with an encounter with Influenza B. He also said that I did not have any sinus nor ear infection but there were some crackling and popping sounds in my lungs.
I got a Ventolin inhaler from the hospital and used it every 4 hours just to get relieve from the hacking cough. It helped. And I continued with Zrytec-D every night to help with the severely blocked nose.
The fever still comes back every night at around 8something, but it is less than 100F. Other than that, I still have the severe dizzy spells, trembling, extreme fatigue and exhaustion.
I have started moving around a bit at a time. But at this point of time, I dare not push myself too much as my body is still not completely well.
But it's a start that the end of the battle is drawing near!
The crazy fever spikes have left. I was still burning till 101F on Monday night. I went to see my ENT on Tuesday afternoon. He said that I was recovering and I might have a few more nights of mild fever. The insides of my sinus and nose were red, swollen and mighty bruised. And that's part of the aftermath with an encounter with Influenza B. He also said that I did not have any sinus nor ear infection but there were some crackling and popping sounds in my lungs.
I got a Ventolin inhaler from the hospital and used it every 4 hours just to get relieve from the hacking cough. It helped. And I continued with Zrytec-D every night to help with the severely blocked nose.
The fever still comes back every night at around 8something, but it is less than 100F. Other than that, I still have the severe dizzy spells, trembling, extreme fatigue and exhaustion.
I have started moving around a bit at a time. But at this point of time, I dare not push myself too much as my body is still not completely well.
But it's a start that the end of the battle is drawing near!
Monday, 18 March 2013
I Can't Win, Can't I?
Ok, so yesterday I sunk into depression. Five days of continuos fever-yo-yo-ing drove me insane. I think I would have yelled, 'OFF WITH MY HEAD!' if I had the voice and strength.
So fever finally downgraded to mid-99F and I thought, 'Finally! I'm finally winning this battle!'
And then a small little thought whispered a voice, 'Uh-oh! Never jinx oneself'.
'BAH!' I replied, 'I don't believe in such rubbish'.
Demon virus started cackling from the bowels of Hades of Influenza B.
--------------------------------------------------------
I went to bed to rest as usual at 8 something.
As usual, I could not breathe with the clogged-up nose. I took Zrytec-D to clear the clogged-up nose and to knock me out. I haven't had a good night's rest since Wednesday night. Zrytec-D took 1 1/2 hours to relieve my clogged up nose and it couldn't even knock out an ant! What more me???
And then it happened.
I could feel a talon embedded in my throat. And the talon would twitch and THAT would send me into a never-ending-coughing-spasm which could last for a duration of 20 minutes.
And when it finally stopped, I would be so exhausted but relieved that it had stopped.
Demon virus must have been rubbing its hands in glee because the never-ending-coughing-spasm kept me awake until 4am this morning. By 4am, exhausted was an understatement. I dared not even breathe in case the talon which demon virus had embedded into my throat would twitch again.
In my exhaustion, I started hallucinating that I must have been a murderer in my past life. Or even a pimp, who whacked the shit out of his prostitutes. Or a wife-stealer. Or husband-stealer. Or a politician.
You could see that demon virus was now playing with my mind.
I even told hubby that I prayed that I would die in my sleep last night.
God was deft to go deaf when I spoke that sentence. He did not hear me.
I collapsed with exhaustion.
---------------------------------------------------------
I woke up at 8am.
Oh god. My right sinus was in searing pain until to my right ear. I knew I had developed a sinus infection. And the right part of the throat too was in searing pain.
And the mucus that came out was rust colour.
And then demon virus started twitching its talon again.
Finally at 11am, I dragged myself out of bed to make lunch. My brother too had succumbed to this virus. The hospital gave him Tamiflu. So it's only hubby left standing strong. May he be strong forever!
My hands have been shivering since the high fever. Thus, I dropped an egg on the floor (CRACK & SPLAT!), poured sugar all over the counter while cooking, forgotten whether I've added salt to the chicken, etc. It was a miracle that I did not burn the kitchen down. I seem to have memory problems these few days.
But I did manage to cook some scrambled eggs, stir-fried broccoli with carrots with sliced garlic (garlic is supposed to help chase away demon virus!) (I'll hang lots of garlic in the house tonight!), salt chicken and ABC chicken soup.
Lunch was good. Though we couldn't eat much.
I felt good!
-----------------------------------------------------
So fever finally downgraded to mid-99F and I thought, 'Finally! I'm finally winning this battle!'
And then a small little thought whispered a voice, 'Uh-oh! Never jinx oneself'.
'BAH!' I replied, 'I don't believe in such rubbish'.
Demon virus started cackling from the bowels of Hades of Influenza B.
--------------------------------------------------------
I went to bed to rest as usual at 8 something.
As usual, I could not breathe with the clogged-up nose. I took Zrytec-D to clear the clogged-up nose and to knock me out. I haven't had a good night's rest since Wednesday night. Zrytec-D took 1 1/2 hours to relieve my clogged up nose and it couldn't even knock out an ant! What more me???
And then it happened.
I could feel a talon embedded in my throat. And the talon would twitch and THAT would send me into a never-ending-coughing-spasm which could last for a duration of 20 minutes.
And when it finally stopped, I would be so exhausted but relieved that it had stopped.
Demon virus must have been rubbing its hands in glee because the never-ending-coughing-spasm kept me awake until 4am this morning. By 4am, exhausted was an understatement. I dared not even breathe in case the talon which demon virus had embedded into my throat would twitch again.
In my exhaustion, I started hallucinating that I must have been a murderer in my past life. Or even a pimp, who whacked the shit out of his prostitutes. Or a wife-stealer. Or husband-stealer. Or a politician.
You could see that demon virus was now playing with my mind.
I even told hubby that I prayed that I would die in my sleep last night.
God was deft to go deaf when I spoke that sentence. He did not hear me.
I collapsed with exhaustion.
---------------------------------------------------------
I woke up at 8am.
Oh god. My right sinus was in searing pain until to my right ear. I knew I had developed a sinus infection. And the right part of the throat too was in searing pain.
And the mucus that came out was rust colour.
And then demon virus started twitching its talon again.
Finally at 11am, I dragged myself out of bed to make lunch. My brother too had succumbed to this virus. The hospital gave him Tamiflu. So it's only hubby left standing strong. May he be strong forever!
My hands have been shivering since the high fever. Thus, I dropped an egg on the floor (CRACK & SPLAT!), poured sugar all over the counter while cooking, forgotten whether I've added salt to the chicken, etc. It was a miracle that I did not burn the kitchen down. I seem to have memory problems these few days.
But I did manage to cook some scrambled eggs, stir-fried broccoli with carrots with sliced garlic (garlic is supposed to help chase away demon virus!) (I'll hang lots of garlic in the house tonight!), salt chicken and ABC chicken soup.
Lunch was good. Though we couldn't eat much.
I felt good!
-----------------------------------------------------
And then a small little thought whispered a voice, 'Uh-oh! Never jinx oneself'.
'BAH!' I replied, 'I don't believe in such rubbish'.
Demon virus started cackling from the bowels of Hades of Influenza B AGAIN!
De-ja vu!
Within 5 minutes, demon virus twitched its talon which sent me into the usual never-ending-coughing-spasm. But demon virus took it to a new level. It made me threw up my beautiful lunch! Every single bit of it. Until all I could do was retch out air and nothing else.
I just can't win, can't I?
And then the washing of the throne and the showering and the collapsing in bed exhausted and YET, the talon would not leave me alone.
--------------------------------------------------
I am counting down till Friday as it would be the day my parents can come back. I banned my parents from coming home. 3 doctors told me the same thing, keep them away! They'll suffer worse then us. The elderly can develope complications. And mum is diabetic. Friday, how I love thee. Please come quickly.
I am also very glad to have a neighbour who has been cooking whenever she can for the guys. Buying food that we need. Calling and messaging us to fight on, to keep on going. She has been such a great help. No words can describe my gratefulness in her helping us. And thank you all who wrote to me telling us to fight on.
This battle has been tough because I caught BOTH bacteria and viral infections. To top it off, the period decided to come at such wonderful timing.
I just can't win, can't I?
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Fighting A Losing Battle
It looks like I am fighting a losing battle. I'm in very bad shape today. Today has been a horible day. The flu is beastly. The fever won't give up. The cough is unrelenting. And I started wheezing. Which means my lungs have constricted. Each breath is becoming very tiring. I've depleted all my strength to fight. I can't go on anymore. It looks like I will have to get myself admitted in the hospital.
I am on the verge of giving up. This is just too great a battle for me.
I am on the verge of giving up. This is just too great a battle for me.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Nightmare on Influenza B Street - The Viral Fever From Hell!
This unwelcome visitor does not waste time in pouncing on its host. It comes with the speed of the Ferrari which leaves you blindsided. And before you know it, the virus will have you knocked down with its overbearing presence in no time.
You will NEVER be able to sleep! It will make sure that you are aware of its presence at ALL times!
Every joint and body parts will ache to the point that if anyone 'touches' you with a finger, bloody murder will be the only thing on your mind.
Anxiety and panic attacks will strike for no apparent reason.You'd think that the 'ping' sound that pinged during the middle of the night is from a group of guerrilla soldiers waiting to ambush your house.
OR
The bed is all out to kill you.
Every step your feet steps on the floor = stepping on durians.
The only purpose of the cough is to expel your lungs out of your body.
The fever has a temperament of a woman with menopause. It will swing to extremes like the pendulum at any time of the day and when it is quiet, you'd think that the battle is finally over.
That is where you are wrong.
It will come back and scream at you like a bitch with its scorching temperature and will be all out to fry your brains; sunny side up.
Your good friend for the next one week or so will be the throne. You'll expel 'stuff' from both ends.
You'll be so dehydrated that the Sahara dessert will pale in comparison. You'll be dripping a drop or tiny drops of pee.
OR
You'll be peeing boiling lava out.
The taste of water = water from the sewer.
Your nose is all out to suffocate you.
Your body will think that the Gangam dance is not hip enough. It thinks that the shivering dance is the coolest thing on earth.
Your body will adorn itself with a self-produced tattoo - the viral rash.
Nausea and vomiting will be your new best friends.
You new BFF is EXHAUSTION.
Your throat's only purpose is to cause you great pain. VERY great pain.
You will not need blusher. AT ALL. In fact you can be called Miss or Mr Red.
You'll adopt a new name; Little Miss or Mr Sensitive. Every single sound will be amplified 100x. The toilet bowl flush will resemble the Niagara Falls. The neighbour's kids' laughter will sound like the cackling of witches. The stirring of the spoon in the mug will sound like the contractor's polishing tiles with his grinding machine. The neighbour's cuckoo clock will be so damn bloody irritating that you will feel like blowing it to bits with a shotgun.
You will be able to do spells. It is called The Dizzy Spells.
Your stomach will behave in only one manner. Revolts at the sight of any food.
My ways in overcoming this nightmare:
1. Showering
Easier said than done. Even the water spray from the shower hurts!!!!!! Even warm water is so freaking COLD! Cold is an understatement. But this will help lower your body temperature. The doctors recommend it. By showering, you'll show the fever who the BOSS is. If it comes back to scream at you like a bitch with its scorching temperature, you shut it up with tons of water.
2. Move
Moving a little bit at a time helps. Slowly shuffling to the toilet, to the dining table, back to the bed. Of course this feels like scaling Mount Everest at the moment. But moving helps. A bit of blood circulation will help the body to recover faster.
3. Hydrate Yourself
Drink lots of fluid. And I don't mean alcohol. Lots of barley and water. Some doctors recommend 100Plus. Though water tastes like sewer, you have no choice. For Joel, he drank ORS. Lots of it.
4. Eat
Even a small bite will do. Easier said than done. But seriously, if you don't eat, you can't fight. That is what I have been doing. It's not much, 2 tablespoons of rice, a ladle of soup. A bit of crackers. Better than nothing.
5. Wash Up!
After every puke or episodes of diarrhea, WASH the throne and surrounding area/bathroom. And then bathe. This will prevent the virus from spreading to the other occupants of the house.
6. Air-Circulation
Open ALL windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate in the house. And also switch on every single purifier/ioniser you have in the house!
7. REST!
8. And if you can, get Tamiflu.
I went through worse than my son, because being a person with Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, I'm not sure whether Tamiflu would heal or kill me. But Joel recovered at a faster pace than me. I'm still having fever and it's the fourth day!
So, what good comes out of this? You'll lose tons of weight.
The downside?
Immunity for 2 or 3 months! After going through hell, you would think 1 year or lifelong immunity would be good!
People with impaired immune system or diabetics must avoid us at all cost! It can lead to complications should they get infected. Yes, even the elderly.
Ah yes, before I forget, the virus will leave you with a forget-me-not present, before it really goes away. It will attack your muscles. Especially the calf muscles and leave you with a walking impairment for a few days. Joel was unable to stand when he woke up this morning. His calves couldn't support his weight. He has been shuffling like the zombies in the 'Walking Dead' and 'Plants vs Zombies'. His father carries him up and down the stairs or supports him when he walks. I on the other hand have been walking like an old woman with severe osteoarthritis. I'm bent over. My whole body feels as though I have been in mortal combat and kick boxing classes. My shoulders and knees are stiff. I can't bend my knees and I can't lift my arms.
Truly a nightmare.
Oh, yes, did I tell you that it could lead to meningitis and pneumonia for kids and for the adults, encephalitis and pneumonia?
Freddy Krueger is not so bad, eh?
You will NEVER be able to sleep! It will make sure that you are aware of its presence at ALL times!
Every joint and body parts will ache to the point that if anyone 'touches' you with a finger, bloody murder will be the only thing on your mind.
Anxiety and panic attacks will strike for no apparent reason.You'd think that the 'ping' sound that pinged during the middle of the night is from a group of guerrilla soldiers waiting to ambush your house.
OR
The bed is all out to kill you.
Every step your feet steps on the floor = stepping on durians.
The only purpose of the cough is to expel your lungs out of your body.
The fever has a temperament of a woman with menopause. It will swing to extremes like the pendulum at any time of the day and when it is quiet, you'd think that the battle is finally over.
That is where you are wrong.
It will come back and scream at you like a bitch with its scorching temperature and will be all out to fry your brains; sunny side up.
Your good friend for the next one week or so will be the throne. You'll expel 'stuff' from both ends.
You'll be so dehydrated that the Sahara dessert will pale in comparison. You'll be dripping a drop or tiny drops of pee.
OR
You'll be peeing boiling lava out.
The taste of water = water from the sewer.
Your nose is all out to suffocate you.
Your body will think that the Gangam dance is not hip enough. It thinks that the shivering dance is the coolest thing on earth.
Your body will adorn itself with a self-produced tattoo - the viral rash.
Nausea and vomiting will be your new best friends.
You new BFF is EXHAUSTION.
Your throat's only purpose is to cause you great pain. VERY great pain.
You will not need blusher. AT ALL. In fact you can be called Miss or Mr Red.
You'll adopt a new name; Little Miss or Mr Sensitive. Every single sound will be amplified 100x. The toilet bowl flush will resemble the Niagara Falls. The neighbour's kids' laughter will sound like the cackling of witches. The stirring of the spoon in the mug will sound like the contractor's polishing tiles with his grinding machine. The neighbour's cuckoo clock will be so damn bloody irritating that you will feel like blowing it to bits with a shotgun.
You will be able to do spells. It is called The Dizzy Spells.
Your stomach will behave in only one manner. Revolts at the sight of any food.
My ways in overcoming this nightmare:
1. Showering
Easier said than done. Even the water spray from the shower hurts!!!!!! Even warm water is so freaking COLD! Cold is an understatement. But this will help lower your body temperature. The doctors recommend it. By showering, you'll show the fever who the BOSS is. If it comes back to scream at you like a bitch with its scorching temperature, you shut it up with tons of water.
2. Move
Moving a little bit at a time helps. Slowly shuffling to the toilet, to the dining table, back to the bed. Of course this feels like scaling Mount Everest at the moment. But moving helps. A bit of blood circulation will help the body to recover faster.
3. Hydrate Yourself
Drink lots of fluid. And I don't mean alcohol. Lots of barley and water. Some doctors recommend 100Plus. Though water tastes like sewer, you have no choice. For Joel, he drank ORS. Lots of it.
4. Eat
Even a small bite will do. Easier said than done. But seriously, if you don't eat, you can't fight. That is what I have been doing. It's not much, 2 tablespoons of rice, a ladle of soup. A bit of crackers. Better than nothing.
5. Wash Up!
After every puke or episodes of diarrhea, WASH the throne and surrounding area/bathroom. And then bathe. This will prevent the virus from spreading to the other occupants of the house.
6. Air-Circulation
Open ALL windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate in the house. And also switch on every single purifier/ioniser you have in the house!
7. REST!
8. And if you can, get Tamiflu.
I went through worse than my son, because being a person with Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, I'm not sure whether Tamiflu would heal or kill me. But Joel recovered at a faster pace than me. I'm still having fever and it's the fourth day!
So, what good comes out of this? You'll lose tons of weight.
The downside?
Immunity for 2 or 3 months! After going through hell, you would think 1 year or lifelong immunity would be good!
People with impaired immune system or diabetics must avoid us at all cost! It can lead to complications should they get infected. Yes, even the elderly.
Ah yes, before I forget, the virus will leave you with a forget-me-not present, before it really goes away. It will attack your muscles. Especially the calf muscles and leave you with a walking impairment for a few days. Joel was unable to stand when he woke up this morning. His calves couldn't support his weight. He has been shuffling like the zombies in the 'Walking Dead' and 'Plants vs Zombies'. His father carries him up and down the stairs or supports him when he walks. I on the other hand have been walking like an old woman with severe osteoarthritis. I'm bent over. My whole body feels as though I have been in mortal combat and kick boxing classes. My shoulders and knees are stiff. I can't bend my knees and I can't lift my arms.
Truly a nightmare.
Oh, yes, did I tell you that it could lead to meningitis and pneumonia for kids and for the adults, encephalitis and pneumonia?
Freddy Krueger is not so bad, eh?
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Super-Duper Germs!
I started to have fever late last night. Sleep was terrible. My whole body was aching. My joints were aching. I felt as though I had been run over by two buses.
By this morning, I was burning at 100F. And then it became 101F. And then it became 102F. And then it became 102.9F. Hubby took EL and rushed home and took me to the ER.
The doctor ordered a nose swab for me since Joel is Influenza B positive and also some blood tests. Results showed that my platelet count to be very low. So are my white blood cells. And I have a bacterial infection. But the swab came back negative for Influenza A and B.
Doctor suggested dengue could be the cause since my platelet count is low. But then again, viral fever can be a factor in lowering the platelets too.
I have to return on Saturday morning to do a dengue test and also the platelet count again as it will be the third day since the fever attack.
We had to bring Joel to the ER last night as he was wheezing and his body broke out in rash. We were worried that it could be dengue as he and I were bitten at the beach in PD. His tests were negative! Yay! His platelets are good!
The doctor prescribed Zithromax antibiotic for the bacterial infection and at this point of time, the fever has dropped. As I am typing this, the fever has broken. What a relief....
Your prayers for us are much appreciated.
Thank you!
By this morning, I was burning at 100F. And then it became 101F. And then it became 102F. And then it became 102.9F. Hubby took EL and rushed home and took me to the ER.
The doctor ordered a nose swab for me since Joel is Influenza B positive and also some blood tests. Results showed that my platelet count to be very low. So are my white blood cells. And I have a bacterial infection. But the swab came back negative for Influenza A and B.
Doctor suggested dengue could be the cause since my platelet count is low. But then again, viral fever can be a factor in lowering the platelets too.
I have to return on Saturday morning to do a dengue test and also the platelet count again as it will be the third day since the fever attack.
We had to bring Joel to the ER last night as he was wheezing and his body broke out in rash. We were worried that it could be dengue as he and I were bitten at the beach in PD. His tests were negative! Yay! His platelets are good!
The doctor prescribed Zithromax antibiotic for the bacterial infection and at this point of time, the fever has dropped. As I am typing this, the fever has broken. What a relief....
Your prayers for us are much appreciated.
Thank you!
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Influenza B Positive
Joel has been tested positive for Influenza B positive and is currently under house-quarantine. He has been given the Tamiflu to fight this.
He is currently in very bad shape. Even with ibuprofen his fever will not go down. He has not eaten anything. And he is throwing up.
He had to have 2 suppositories inserted into the bum today.
Do keep us in prayers as I too have developed a raw throat and excessive sneezing and extreme fatigue.
He is currently in very bad shape. Even with ibuprofen his fever will not go down. He has not eaten anything. And he is throwing up.
He had to have 2 suppositories inserted into the bum today.
Do keep us in prayers as I too have developed a raw throat and excessive sneezing and extreme fatigue.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Chinese Green Mung Bean Soup
The Chinese believe that everybody's body is a combination of the 'yin' (cold) and the 'yang' (hot). The Chinese have a habit of drinking a bowl of cold sweet mung bean soup everyday. It is a 'cold' (yin energy) dessert which can cool down your system during the hot weather.
Beans are naturally rich in protein, fiber, good carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, these tiny green beans, when made into soup or congee is able to expel toxins from our body! As the mung beans are the 'yin' (cold), they help greatly in dispelling internal heat, promote urination and relieve hot weather ailments and rashes!
I am a 'yang' person. I get heaty very easily. Just 2 minutes under the scorching sun, and I will feel as though I am a dragon, breathing fire out from my mouth. I will get ulcers. And I will feel as though a great, big ball of fire is inside me, burning me from inside out. Even my eyeballs feel as though they are on fire!
Before the anaphylaxis attack, I could eat all sorts of food. Ginger included. A dish cooked with ginger would induce a sore throat the very night!
Thus, I would go for all sorts of 'cooling' food to cool my body down.
This is one of the dishes that helps me 'cool down'.
_________________________________________
Ingredients:
1. 250gm of dried mung beans
2. 1 cup of sago
3. Approximately 6 litres of water
4. 1 1/2 cup of soft brown sugar
-----------------------------------------------
1. Soak the mung beans in hot boiling water for about 1/2 hour. Alternately, you could soak it overnight in the fridge.
2. Rinse the mung beans.
3. Pour the 6 litres of water into a large pot. You could use a pressure cooker, or slow cooker. I used my multi-purpose electronic rice pot which has the soup function.
4. Add the mung beans and sago into the pot.
5. Boil on high heat for 1/2 hour and medium low for the next 1/2 hour.
6. Stir it and add the soft brown sugar.
7. You can continue to boil it until the beans have softened and broken up.
8. You can either serve it hot or allow it to cool to room temperature. You can even chill it in the fridge and have a cold dessert!
Bon appétit!
Note: Many people add screwpine leaf or pandan leaf to this dessert. They tie the leaves into a bundle and throw it in and boil it together with the dessert. This plant is known as the 'vanilla of the east'. It will give this dessert a very aromatic smell. That being said, I do not know whether it has salicylates or not. Be careful if you wish to experiment with it.
Beans are naturally rich in protein, fiber, good carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, these tiny green beans, when made into soup or congee is able to expel toxins from our body! As the mung beans are the 'yin' (cold), they help greatly in dispelling internal heat, promote urination and relieve hot weather ailments and rashes!
I am a 'yang' person. I get heaty very easily. Just 2 minutes under the scorching sun, and I will feel as though I am a dragon, breathing fire out from my mouth. I will get ulcers. And I will feel as though a great, big ball of fire is inside me, burning me from inside out. Even my eyeballs feel as though they are on fire!
Before the anaphylaxis attack, I could eat all sorts of food. Ginger included. A dish cooked with ginger would induce a sore throat the very night!
Thus, I would go for all sorts of 'cooling' food to cool my body down.
This is one of the dishes that helps me 'cool down'.
_________________________________________
Ingredients:
1. 250gm of dried mung beans
2. 1 cup of sago
3. Approximately 6 litres of water
4. 1 1/2 cup of soft brown sugar
-----------------------------------------------
1. Soak the mung beans in hot boiling water for about 1/2 hour. Alternately, you could soak it overnight in the fridge.
2. Rinse the mung beans.
3. Pour the 6 litres of water into a large pot. You could use a pressure cooker, or slow cooker. I used my multi-purpose electronic rice pot which has the soup function.
4. Add the mung beans and sago into the pot.
5. Boil on high heat for 1/2 hour and medium low for the next 1/2 hour.
6. Stir it and add the soft brown sugar.
7. You can continue to boil it until the beans have softened and broken up.
8. You can either serve it hot or allow it to cool to room temperature. You can even chill it in the fridge and have a cold dessert!
Bon appétit!
Note: Many people add screwpine leaf or pandan leaf to this dessert. They tie the leaves into a bundle and throw it in and boil it together with the dessert. This plant is known as the 'vanilla of the east'. It will give this dessert a very aromatic smell. That being said, I do not know whether it has salicylates or not. Be careful if you wish to experiment with it.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
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