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.

Year of the Goat. Happy New Year.

Today is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration, popularly known as chap goh meh which stands for 15th night in Hokkien.  Happy New Year of the Goat...

(1) What lies ahead for the festive season
Prior to the long break as CNY fell on a Thursday and Friday this year, among the FAQs received were "When will you be on leave?", "Only 2 days, such a short break, is that enough?", "Where's your hometown and when are you going back?", etc.

(a) Flashback to a year ago...
As any other ordinary person, I can only plan.  But what ultimately transpires is sometimes beyond contemplation.  Last year for instance, it was totally outside my imagination that I was to spend most of the CNY "celebration" at HUKM.  Ended up spending my entire third trimester at ward 2B for 2 months, which felt a lot like living in a dormitory, with shared bathrooms, makan ramai-ramai, the purple uniform, and a fixed daily routine.

Anyway, despite the dread and boredom at first, it was overall a pleasant experience after getting to know some new friends.   Lots of time to rest and sleep, but couldn't help missing the little guy at home.  While others enjoy yee sang and an array of festive dishes out there, I was only confined to bland hospital food.

It was the 9th day of CNY when threatened preterm labour occured (also at 29 weeks) and I was transferred to the HDU for tocolysis before undergoing the emergency cerclage.  Thankfully everything turned out well and Ken-ken did not come out during the CNY period.  "Be patient baby... the angpows can wait until next year..." I thought. 

(b) Cuti-cuti New Year
I only took a day off on CNY eve and another a day off post-CNY weekend.  After skipping Ipoh last year, we went there on the 3rd day this year to the home of my cousins+aunts in Bercham.

Scene along the PLUS highway.  

(This is an old picture taken a few years earlier... not during the recent trip)

Alvin was in a rebellious mood.  The rebellion was probably further aggravated by a previously-unknown fact that he's car sick, as he had never puked in car prior to this.  Puking can be traumatising to a young child, and worse when it occurs in a strange place.

Speaking of Alvin and some of his behavorial/sensory issues...  It's NOT TRUE that Alvin's rebellion is due to seldom going out, as what a few concerned relatives said to my parents-in-laws.  He was seldom exposed to crowds before he turned one due to low immunity as a very preterm baby... but after that, he started going out, unless he's having flu or something like that.  I swear that he had been to more places than me at the age of 1+ compared to when I was 5 (i.e. visits to local attractions, not overseas). But then this is my fear... how to bring him to people's house without his  resistence?  Tak bawak kang unfair to him...

Maybe this is related to prematurity as very preterm babies are born with immature brains.  Or maybe it's not.  If by God's will, things works out successfully, I shall try to share them here for the benefit of those under the same shoe.   Issues may not end upon discharge from the NICU, no matter how positive things appear to be at first.  The longer your baby stays inside your womb, the better it is... even by a week.  I don't know whether to be happy or otherwise, but I have probably been chosen to walk a path that differs from the majority... and parenting an ex-prem baby may or may not be the same as for other children.

Despite being a brief, simple and impromptu one, the one-day trip to Ipoh was memorable indeed.  From meeting up with family members whom I've not seen for a long time to passing through places that was once a part of me, I cherished them a lot despite already not feeling well a few days earlier... oh my sorethroat!

(2) The voiceless CNY
On 1st day of CNY, swallowing felt painful to me.  Body temperature was up at 38 deg C by evening.  All clinics around my place, including non-Chinese doctors, were closed for public holiday.  The only safe home remedy available?  PCM and Difflam lozenges.  Tahanlah dulu....

The same thing persisted on the following few days, coupled with cough later on.  I lost my voice completely on Sunday (Day 4), a day after the visit to Ipoh.

On Day 5, when the panel clinic resumed operation, I went to see my regular dr.  I had no voice at all, thus wrote everything on a piece of paper and showed it to the dr.  Fever was still on after so many days... although just very mild.  A medical leave of 2 days after the CNY break was a lil against conscience, as if taking advantage to sambung cuti.  But, commit no fault and hence fear nothing...

Remaining silent, especially when in front of the kids was very odd esp when they are too young to understand why you're suddenly all-quiet with them.  Then they'd frown in front of you, as if wondering why, when they hear your strange voice.

(3) Conclusion
Today, on the 15th day of CNY, my voice still has not fully-recovered although improvement is starting to be more visible now.   :p

Fortunately the voice came back early this week or else I might have to miss the sponsored CNY luncheon again at my workplace.   It's very thoughtful of the management to organise such an event for its (minority) Chinese employees, so how could I have the heart to skip it... unless I genuinely couldn't be present, as in last year?

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

It's been a seemingly long and yet quick-moving weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Couchy Friday
On Friday, I was mostly a couch potato, reading a few newspapers online such as NST, The Star, Kosmo, Harian Metro and Washington Post, and Lord Denning's "The Family Story" autobiography. Initially, I was supposed to meet my dearest brother for a quick lunch at his workplace, but as usual, he has work commitment which happened to fall during lunch time itself. I guess I'll only be seeing him in 2010. My dear brother works "overseas, 5 km from my house", which explains why I hardly get to meet him. ;p

In the evening, I went for grocery shopping at Giant (low prices, within my budget). Somewhat similar to a housewife's shopping, but I'm no housewife (and no wife of anyone anyway).

Long Saturday
It was a relaxing, drizzling morning... how peaceful. About an hour after lunch, I slept for about 3 hours.

Came evening, I spent time at Tropicana City Mall (TCM), which is about 10 minutes by car from my place. On the way there, I had also observed the route to KGPA so that when it's Bad's wedding day, I know how to get there. Pretty simple actually, because the distance is even shorter than from my place to TCM.

After dinner at "Food & Tea", it's movie time. Watched Avatar. Overall, it's a good movie with a touching story line, scenic graphics and exciting motions. I felt a little dizzy watching certain parts of the movie. The movie was pretty long, it took about 2 hours and 30 minutes to finish. By which time, although the story was nice, I was already drowsy because it's late. We didn't expect it to take this long. Further, sitting quite in front of the screen had made it a little exhausting, having to almost lie down to look up to the screen. This was the first time I ever sat so in front. :(
Note... For any high-rate movie such as this, it's better to book tickets in advance for better viewing seats, although tickets may still be available on that day itself.

By the time I was home by night, I felt a little weird. I had no proof, but I suspect the sour-tasting herbal drink I consumed in the evening was the reason behind it. I might be intolerant towards one or more of its ingredients. My tummy didn't feel right, but fortunately, nothing happened.

Gloomy Sunday
The weather was gloomy throughout the morning. I woke up a little later as a result of exhaustion from the day before. The first thought that came to me upon waking up was to do some paint touch-up for my car.

Darling, oh darling!
My car. Speaking of my car, dear... I'm disheartened over the fact that my car has been quite an unfortunate one. About a year ago, it was hit from behind by someone. Unfortunately (yes, it was unfortunate), there was no "injury" on the rear bumper, and therefore, I had nothing to claim against that klutz who did the thing on my poor car. No apparent damage, what to claim?

Unfortunately (again, I'm using the word), one year down the line, a few fine lines began to surface. I strongly suspect it's the result of what happened last year. I swear that I've never hit my rear bumper on anything before. It must be akin to the thin-skull rule here now... As a result of the force against it, the bumper became vulnerable.

My car has never been fortunate to be able to enjoy roofed protection. As a result of being constantly under rain and shine, the paint work on the affected area appears slightly "scratched". Only if it occured the moment that klutz hit it, then I would have been able to make my claims for a full job, either to that klutz personally because it was clearly his fault, or through his insurer if he had no means to compensate me.

When I found car touch-up paint (specifically for my brand of car) on sale at the auto accessory department yesterday, I couldn't resist anymore. I had also bought a fine brush. Well, no harm trying.

Touch-up
After taking a short shower and getting ready with my stuff, I began my touch-up painting job. I merely followed the instruction on the bottle. First, I cleaned the area which I wanted to touch up. Then I painted. And I did a few layers of coating. Finally, the result turned out ok.

Now that I'm done, I begin to wonder if the paint touch-up work will last. For how long? Any other effect? Will it remain intact?

Anyway, since I still have 90% of the paint content left with me, provided it doesn't harden, I should be able to keep and use it again in the event the touched up job doesn't last (touchwood!!).

Appetite gone wrong
It must be from yesterday. Although my appetite started off fine in the morning, I felt a little uneasy by noon. So, instead of joining in for lunch, I ate nothing. I only had a honey lemon drink in the attempt to stimulate my appetite.

Fortunately, appetite was restored by the time by evening. And then, I walled up lots of jelly and a sumptous dinner of 'bak kut teh' and rice wine chicken with rice at Seri Kembangan.

Right now, I haven't really understood how my appetite works. The day before, I was craving for and eating so much. The day after, my appetite turned sluggish, as if I was feverish. Hmm... who knows if my body temperature was indeed above 36.9 deg C earlier, which made my enzymes somewhat less active. After all, this had always been the trend whenever I had a slightly higher temperature.

Anyway, I'm just thankful to be back to my usual self now. I've got to... I'm scheduled to be in Ipoh on Tuesday, so I've got to be well so that I'll be able to do what I ought be doing throughout the break.


Discounted shopping
I bought a few things at a cheaper-than-usual price today. I'm currently looking at getting more long-sleeved white blouses in contemplation of my upcoming work assignments, so when I saw one such reasonable-looking blouse at HKE at Endah Parade in Sri Petaling today, I bought one. The price was cheap. I only found one which suited my physically and also to my preference today.

Speaking of Endah Parade, there's one Carrefour there, some shops on the ground and first floor, and many beauty and massage parlours on the upper floors. Not that many places, but the presence of Carrefour hypermarket there was enough to capture customers to go there to buy mostly household items.

Later, I was at The Mines. Just strolled along the places, saw many people going for boat ride (it's school holiday) and watched fishes swimming in the canal.

Lastly...
It's time to go to bed soon. I've got a day of work on Monday before going on break on Tuesday. Here you go, a very ordinary diary entry on my blog. Nothing spectacular, nothing interesting, but only some of my daily experience and plain thoughts.