We're Sick! The Mycoplasma Attack :(

It all began with an innocent-looking cough and a mild fever on a Friday evening.  "Nothing unusual about it, as common infections are widespread at kindergartens and nurseries ", we thought to ourselves.

A twist of event leading to a twist of outcome

Due to a certain unfavourable reason that day and being obliging, we ended up at another clinic and not the clinic that we usually go to.  

Unfortunately, Alvin's cough became worse a day after.  Went back to the same clinic the 1 1/2 day later. This time, another dr attended to us (it's a partnership clinic).  Received a neb, followed by a change of antibiotic from cephalexin to amoxycillin. That night, Alvin's cough seemed a little relieved, but returned to its violent form by the next day.

In total, it's 4 days down the line, but Alvin's cough and fever still persisted.  The cough turned so bad that Alvin continued to wheeze even after nebulization, and when he coughed, it could run for 10 minutes straight in a row.  His sleep and appetite suffered - he refused all food, and drank very little.

Went back to the same clinic, the dr referred for admission on the same day.  

A little thought as to which hospital to go to came momentarily.  Cost vs convenience, familiarity vs uncertainty.  Finally, we decided to go to where we're already quite familiar with, which is also one of the nearest from where we are.

The process of admission
The emergency department at Columbia Asia Cheras on that Monday night (near 9 pm) was surprisingly crowded for its size.  The waiting time was considered ok, the medical officer on-duty (I didn't get his name) was quite prompt in attending to us. But the waiting time to go to the ward was long, it's past 1 am on the following day.

First, the dr checked Alvin's breathing. After that,  Alvin was given a neb, followed by chest x-ray and blood test.  It's typical of children to scream when blood is drawn, likewise Alvin. 

About an hour later, pediatrician Dr Hew came, checked and asked a few questions about Alvin.  He later proceeded with branula insertion because Alvin will need IV fluid (he wasn't eating and drinking properly) and IV antibiotic.  We've seen Dr Hew a few times before, starting with Aaron about 2 years ago when he was admitted for phototherapy, and for a few vaccinations after that.  Dr Hew is a very soft-spoken doctor and explains things in pretty great details. 

I wish but I couldn't
In most cases when a young child is warded, the mother is the one who'd stay to take care of her child.  I wish I could do it, but alas!  As I am currently in my first month of employment at a new place, I am generally not allocated with  leave.

But compassionate leave, which includes hospitalisation of family members, is available.  However, I don't feel good taking it although my superior is very understanding... unless for critical causes (touch wood, I pray that nothing as bad will happen in my life anymore after one incident back in 2011 at Ipoh GH, which unfortunately had a negative outcome and I ended up utilizing my compassionate leave).

On weekdays, my mother-in-law helps out by staying with Alvin in ward every night, while my husband and my father-in-law accompany Alvin during from noon until the evening.  I only get to see Alvin after finishing work, and room-in during the weekend. 

The culprit, and oh no wonder
Yesterday was a bit fortunate as Dr Hew was around when I went to see Alvin in the late evening. Dr Hew explained a few things, inter alia that blood test shows Alvin is infected by the bacteria called Mycoplasma, or specifically Mycoplasma pneumoniae.  Oh, that's why the antibiotics he took a few days earlier from the clinic did not work at all! 

Alvin's present treatment comprises 4-hourly neb, oral medications for fever and cough, IV Zithromax and chest physio.  Hospitalisation may take between 5 to 7 days, depending on his recovery.  As of yesterday (Day 3 in ward?), he still coughed a lot, although with slightly improved appetite.  :(

Maybe Alvin is going to miss school for 2 weeks.  OMG, this is only the 2nd month in pre-school and he's already like this, I can't imagine how's it going to be like for one whole year.  I like the fact that pre-school helped him a lot in terms of development, like learning to talk and be more independent.  Yet I can't deny how fearful I am if similar illnesses were to recur, because what is ordinary URTI to many other kids, may not be the same for him.  It's likely because very preterm babies are physically not exactly the same as their full-term counterparts.

We too, are invaded by it
As M. pneumoniae easily spreads through cough droplets, it is thus very difficult to avoid getting infected especially when living within the same house and same room.

Aaron is sick now, although not to Alvin's extent (fingers-crossed).

Likewise, I couldn't escape either.  I had a fever (high, at 39 deg C) starting from Wednesday. My chest feels slightly tight when I breathe in.  So when I saw my doctor, I told him that one of my kids is currently in ward due to mycoplasma pneumonia.

Today is my 3rd day with presumed Mycoplasma infection... looking at the way I "progress" i.e. negligible improvement, maybe I shouldn't call it presumed anymore. Appetite-wise, I don't seem to get hungry, don't know why... although I still do eat. Yes, with this particular bacteria, recovery is expected to be longer  In the meantime, I think I'm heading back to the clinic when I'm free later.

Conclusion
I used to think it will be better to cut-short the number of hours that Alvin spends in school.  So that he will get more rest, and cut down a bit of exposure to what he's still not able to cope well with. Like now, his pre-school is from 8 - 12, followed by day nursery until the evening.  The only hindering factor is that no one is able to pick him back in the noon.  I also realised that once he gets used to the back-home-by-noon routine, it will be difficult to go back to the earlier route.

Lastly... Don't succumb to hearsay or nasihat tak bertauliah.  Stick to what is only known to be right, or supported by facts.   This is not insinuating that being stubborn is good, but exception is justifiable under special circumstances.  In order to be tactful, just nod yes, but sit adamantly about the execution part.

The New Year Post: Lessons from the Past, My Simple Chinese New Year, and the Brothers

Without much hype, I left the job that I've been doing for more than 6 years.  Six years can be considered a quite a long time nowadays, but of course not in the context of my parents' work lives where loyalty service of more than 20 years was a norm.

New year, new job - My resolution, theoretically-speaking

A change of job does not necessarily have to stem from negative reasons, although boredom may fall under the negative category.  Between getting comfortable and continuous professional challenge, it's crucial for both to be balanced.

Today marks my second week of work at a new place away from KL.  It's a mixture of familiarity as well as strange feelings. A long way lies ahead for me to learn before I can call it "mission accomplished".

My mission is very simple, yet not necessarily easy to attain - I would like to be better-rounded; not just being a parent to A & A, but at the same time, a balance between work and personal commitments equally.  Also to always try not to let personal challenges, if any, distract me from delivering.

Being an ordinary person means my life comprises ups and downs, and hence some moments of imperfection, although they're only minor ones, thankfully.  The 5 months of being away from work in 2014 due to a long stay at HUKM (a case of cervical incompetence and thus a high risk of recurrent premature delivery if not careful), and maternity leave thereafter, came at a cost as I seemed a little lost upon my return to work after that.

The awaited moment when someone opens his mouth
Alvin is coming to 4 years old this May.  One of the biggest gifts of the early months of 2016 that I am most grateful for is to hear Alvin talk meaningfully for the first time at the age of 3+.  We used to worry a lot about this issue - despite having normal hearing, he was still not verbal as at December 2015.

Although his pronunciation isn't 100% perfect, at least it provides answer our anxiety as to whether he will talk or not one day.  He speaks mostly Mandarin, with a mixture of English.

I don't know if it's speech therapy or pre-school that made Alvin open his mouth to talk, maybe it's a combination of both.

However, also as in the case of me, Alvin has a long way ahead for improvements, although for different aspects. Certain parts of his behaviour still needs improvement - he has a highly fiery temper (not appropriate for his age!) when his wishes aren't fulfilled.  For instance, his unfulfilled requests for not-so-good stuff such as tidbits, which severely affects his appetite for proper meals.

From where did he learn about the yummy taste of tidbits, I do not know as I don't take/buy snacks. Maybe it's through sampling the food of others, which in reality is not anyone's fault, because folks normally mean well when they offer tidbits to young children.

The only prudent thing to do is to make Alvin realise what's good and what's not as he grows up, which is easier said than done.

The brother
As for Alvin's brother, Aaron, he's small and may be mistaken for a 1 year plus baby when in fact he's a toddler closer to 2 years, unless you see his mouthful of huge teeth. Poor Aaron frequently get pushed or knocked head-to-head by Alvin when they fight, which is not unusual due to their close age gap.  How to make Alvin understand "sayang adik"?  Aaron enjoys climbing, eating, playing with blocks and flipping through photo albums - a different personality from his brother although they look similar.

The Chinese New Year
As I am still new in my present employment, I am not allocated with annual leave this month. No problem, I'm ok with that.

I celebrated the new year modestly at home in Seri Kembangan.  I've been away from home long enough, hence homesickness is no longer an issue although at all times, I still regard the various authentic food of Ipoh (my place of birth) and Taiping (my mother's hometown) as the best.

Unlike the previous years, I did not get to go back to Ipoh to visit my relatives due to limited time factor this new year. Maybe I will go there some other days when I have the chance to do so.

Conclusion
There are still many rooms for self-improvement, and that will be my biggest challenge this year.
Any shortcoming committed once or twice may be forgiven, be will surely become my nightmare if they persist - you will know what I mean without further elaboration here!