4th Admission 3rd Cycle

31st Jan 2010 ( Sunday)
The entire Soh Clan gathered at Yum Cha Chinatown for our reunion dinner. With the exception of Chui Wan ( wedding dinner) and Ying Ying ( working in China) all tunred up and the menu was just perfect--- no wastage or over eating but we haven't reached the stage of fine dining yet.Somehow the only missing link is my usual exuberance at meeting up with all my relatives.

27th Jan 2010 ( Wednesday)
There was a council meeting the night before. I slept badly as I was wrecked by coughs the whole night long. During break time, I realised a few other teachers also had cough and sore throat like me.
Dr Lim said that LG's white blood cells are too low and it would be unwise to proceed with chemo. I asked if there is anything we can do to prevent such an occurrence. He said that this was a side effect of chemo and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. I was concerned that he has been too active the last few days and not taking naps which he used to... After collecting some medication, we went home. Words cannot possibly describe how we felt. Is  it a sense of disappointment or relief at the respite?
Perhaps it is God's will that LG will be able to attend the CNY reunion dinner this sunday with the entire SOH clan.

24th Jan 2010 ( Sunday)

Today I read one of the nurses' blog where she wrote of her reflections after reading our blog. It warms my heart to know that someone who do not really know us personally can have such breadth and depth in her thinking especially for one so young. Thanks Nurse Maureen for your encouraging comments. It is by far the most encouraging thing I heard in the past 2 weeks.We are indeed blessed to have met you! Do not worry about what is to come regarding housing, finances, fees to pay and bike, take each step one day at a time and do your best every day so that you will have no regrets. Such a "en ai" ( loving) couple too!

23rd Jan 2010 ( Saturday)
735 am -- reported at NCC level 3 but the staff was not ready-- I was quite contented to wait
8 00 am -- shown into room 10--- wait for the blood to arrive
Most people are very impatient when they have to wait but I think I have developed the art of waiting by always being prepared with lots of reading materials,scripts to mark, organising my handbag, handphone messages, planning the grocery list and a list of things to do for the next three days. It is good to carry scraps of paper to write down the stuff you are planning as this will increase your efficiency and memory. This is a very simple habit but few have the discipline to practise as they find jotting down stuff to do a chore. I think forgetting to do the things I want to do is greater bother!
940 am --- Blood transfusion starts
1230 pm --- leave NCC

Attended a "Back-to-school" party at TCC.It was quite fun until my mother called me to tell me that LG did not open the door and they have called the house and HP for 30 minutes and no one answered. I also tried calling and just as I was getting ready to go home and made one last call then he picked up the phone.He has slept so soundly that he did not hear anything! Many thoughts ran through my mind and I felt a little guilty to run out for some fun.

Knowing that I have been out of action for so long, the emcee played many of my old favourites and I really danced for all I am worth--- West Texas waltz, People of the Mountain, Hot Tamales, Ja Du Boogie, sexy sexy lover... the list goes on.

Someone said they are jealous of the above shot--- more likely they are jealous that a 50 year old woman can look so young and so cute!

22nd Jan 2010 ( Friday)
Today is a very long and tiring day for me as I woke up with a bad sore throat and the timetable today is packed back to back with activities. After school at 330 pm I sent LG to NCC for another blood test and again he was allowed to go home to wait for the results. The resukt: COME BACK TOMORROW AT 730 am for a blood transfusion.I even met Mr Loh Kah Tiong's parents at the taxi stand, they had just come in for 2 days was just about to be discharged---- It must be tough to be an aged caregiver.

21st Jan 2010 ( Thursday)
LG had to go NCC to have a blood testin the morning. He was allowed to go home to wait for the result. The result: No need for blood transfusion.... Hip Hip Hurray

19th Jan 2010 ( Tuesday)
Saw Dr Lim and LG was informed that  one of the brothers was a good macth and the stem cell transplant is most likely to be in April.

18th Jan 2010 ( Monday)
Appointment to see Head of Urology and LG was informed that his right kidney is doing well.Good news for us.

14th Jan 2010 ( Thursday)
LG decided to report for work even though his boss(Alex) had excused him for the day as he feared that the long journey may be too tiring for him. Henry who came yesterday also advised him to go on another day. I suppose ultimately LG himself will know how much he can attempt, not being able to do what you intend unless medically advised is also potentially stressful.

13th Jan 2010 ( Wednesday)
Appointment at Heart Centre this morning  at 11 29 am to see Dr J Tan. For peace of mind, I have asked 6th uncle to fetch LG for the appointment.The test results of the TILT(5th Jan) and MIBI ( 30th dec 2009) test which were done earlier were not made known to LG and so there is nothing very much to report except that LG's case will be reviewed 6 months later.

Hence there is greater need to strengthen the co-ordination and sharing of info between NCC, SGH and Heart Centre. This I believe is a complicated task which hopefully can be streamlined for greater efficiency. {Disclaimer: The former statement is not meant to be a censure in any perspective. It is an objective statement made in the interest and welfare of a patient with complex medical problem that involves different institutes to synergise and bring about a miraculous wonder of medical treatment in Singapore which is reputed globally to be the medical hub in South-east Asia!} 

12th Jan 2010 ( Tuesday)
Discharge from SGH with instructions to see Dr Lim again on  19 Jan 2010
11th Jan 2010 ( Monday)

Phuay Hua made some more aloe vera water for LG to drink. Dr T came to see LG and told him that he had to wait for the results of the blood test to see if he could be discharged as they suspected that Hepatitis B virus may be getting active. The Singams were here too in the late afternoon.

Hospital personnel has been alerted to the existence of my blog and it was pointed out to me not to make direct references to  any hospital staff or patients without permission. It was of course done in a courteous manner and I assured them that I would be try my best to be very discrete. Naturally they are doing the politically correct thing to protect theirs and the patient's interest. It is indeed gratifying to know that SGH staff has adopted a zealous attitude to protect the welfare of their patients and I hope this spirit will be cascaded down to all levels of their staff. I  really feel very bad for wasting the dear doctor's precious time to read through the meandering of a pathetic and tormented  soul. My apologies if I had caused any distress or unnecessary alarm to anyone in the hospital. To-date no patient has complained to SGH about my blog, hopefully I need not create another blog as my transparency has not worked to my advantage in this instance.  Being self-righteous in the name of having moral courage for one's action is something I should choose to avoid since the greatest amongst us is frequently guilty of this......

10th Jan 2010 ( Sunday)

Faithfully on every hospitalization the Welfare Unit from Navy would send a fruit basket for LG wishing him a speedy recovery. Fruits are always welcomed as there is really not much time to go shopping for grocery and marketing when I am at SGH everyday besides school hours. It is a quiet Sunday for LG and he is feeling well with no side effects yet. Perhaps he may be discharged tomorrow and he was thinking of reporting to work for a few days before the next cycle of chemo or hospitalization. I wonder if it is wise to do so at the same time I think he's concerned about taking too much leave although there is no pressure from the Navy to do so. On the whole I must say that his bosses have been very supportive and extremely gracious. I think what Pastor Kien Seng said last week applies. Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it gets you no where!

LS invited the kids and I for dinner ( not only today but every day if we want to), such a kind gesture but I know we will only impose on days where we find it difficult to cook. It's always good to have sisters living across the road. LG asked what would we eating so.......see picture---- and Peter said its only a simple meal( most of our meals are one or two dishes of food). I wonder what they eat when they are feasting???

9th Jan 2010 ( Saturday)

Woke up early to juice the beetroot, zuchinni, baby bittergourd, lemon grass, carrot, apple and orange juice for LG. His devoted mother came and I was glad as I had many things to do and so I could run along with a lighter heart. Indeed a mother's love knew no depth. Wee Zen's mother (adjacent bed) stayed overnight from Monday to Friday and the opposite bed ( also a very  young man called Lionel slightly above 16 yrs) just like Mr Loh Kah Tiong's parents, the parents stayed by the bedside all day. Indeed the greatest love of all comes from he/she who gives unconditionally. LG's cocktail of drug for the day can be seen in the picture shown.

In the afternoon his blood pressure dropped to a low of 84 and so they wanted to do ECG and of course the first machine as usual does not work and when the second machine was brought in, the attempt was aborted as a house doctor felt that it was not necessary. His weight is 48.5 kg

LG's father, Tian Teck and Karen dropped by for a visit in the evening when I was out for dinner with friends.

8th Jan 2010 ( Friday)

Praise God for fine weather and for LG's all 6 siblings who were all able to make it to SGH Haematology Centre to have the genetic blood typing test done before 3 pm. Kim Han and Lim Chun came before I could knock off from school. Joanne ( from church- David's wife) called to ask how she could pray for us: We ask for
(1) no side- effects from the chemo especially fever and diarrhoea
(2) to be equipped with the grace and strength tor the trials ahead
(3) the smooth completion of all remaining cycles and the perfect match for the allogenic stem cell transplant.
(4) NO MORE RELAPSE!-- Are we being too greedy or asking for too much????

7th Jan 2010 ( Thursday)
The car park today is a nightmare for motorists, the vehicles were lined up from bumper to bumper from the entrance ,past the ERP barrier until the exit. The 10 min free entry does not help as by the time you reach the second section it is already past 10 min, hence most preferred to stay within the car park which added to the congestion.Blood test showed that LG is ready for the next cycle of chemo ( 3rd cycle). He is in Blk 4 Level 8 Room 10 Bed 2.