I Wonder

I am reading a book on NDE or near death experience.  People who went through NDE do change their perspective and priority.  Gone are the material pursuits.  Mostly helping other people became a priority. 

I wonder about this.  I wonder if I can help others.  I wonder how can I conduct my life in a better way.  I wonder if I am wasting my life by not helping others more.

There are so many ways we can help others.  Considerate for others, spread love instead of hate, tolerant for others who are different.  Living a green manner, using less of Mother Earth resources, donating or buying tissue papers.

I wonder what my karma is.  If I can do more good and gain more "merit" in the Buddhist concept. 

I strongly believe I will continue once I left my physical body.  I wonder how my grade will be if I go to the Hall of Memories and have to grade my current life.  I went through some hard period.  However, I don't think that helps in my karma.  Maybe my world vision adoption of so kids may help.  Maybe not as that may be "buying good karma" as I am only using money.  Somehow, I believe good karma can only be acquired using my free will and time to help others.

Ng Teng Fong Hospital

My experience in Ng Teng Fong is quite positive so far.  Except for the suture that is not healing well, the service I get there is so much better than other hospitals - private or restructured.  I put it as new and workload is not as heavy.  It could also be I enjoys talking to the nurses and doctors and they are open to small talks.  The 3 big malls - IMM, Jem and Westgate have plenty of choice for food and discount stores.  So it is a good place to past time as well.

Lightning at 3am and Rain at 4

I was woken up by the lightning flashes.  The sky was merciful.  Plenty of lightning but no thunder to break the silence of the night.  I got up and make my usual hot drink.  This time is it Assam tea.  During dinner last night at the Malaysia Boleh foodcourt, my neighbouring table had 2 teh O.  They looked so good.  I have to drink teh O this morning.  Most time I make filtered coffee.

Rain started at 4 and stopped maybe half an hour ago. Or about half past 5.  The surrounding is quiet except for sounds of dizzle pattering on the floor.  I like the quiet peace early in the morning.

Toyota Prius 3rd Generation, 9 years old

My trusty Prius is 9 years old.  My wife wants to trade it for a new Prius+.  I like to renew the COE for another 10 years.  She is always worried about driving old car.  We actually went to test drive a few times.  Finally, she decided to go for the repair as we have to reset hybrid system again last night.  Unfortunately, Borneo Motors has company function and service is not working this morning.

Finally, my utimate boss decides to repair instead of buying a new car.   I have also ordered other parts as there are wear and tear.

My thinking is to use the car for as long as possible as it is greener than replacing new car.  New cars used up the Earth's resources.  Plus the Prius has been a good car and well maintained by Borneo its whole life.

I hope I can use my car for another 10 years and not meet with major repairs.

2 Sutures have Inflammation

I was at Physio again yesterday morning.  She advise me to see the doctor as she notice my wound is leaking fluid.  She say 2 sutures are not good and I need to see the doctor again.  The doctor prescribed strong antibiotics as it may be my body reacting to the sutures.  I will have to see him again next week to check on the wound.

I am glad this Physiotherapist who is Senior asked me to go.  I cannot drop in to see the doctor.  The reception insist the Physio to call my doctor before the appointment is accepted.  It is the system.  I do not like it as it seems like they are making it difficult for patient to do followup if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms.

Nov 15, Start of Right Hip Pain

I am making sure I keep a record of the changes in Pain as I recover from my spine surgery.  It is Nov 15 that the pain and discomfort started and now it is giving regular pain.

I cycled on 19th Nov morning.  I just want to be sure if my spine X-ray shows up as abnormal, I need to know if all these incidents have any relationship.

I will be going for Physiotherapy again tomorrow.  Let's see if there is an exercise I can do to help reduce the pain.  Right now, I have to do balancing exercise as my core muscles are weak and need strengthening.

KefenTech, the Wonder Plaster

I am right having pain in my right hip.  To make it bearable, I am using KefenTech which is prescribed by the surgeon.  This plaster is quite effective in reducing the pain sensation.  It is a good analgesic or pain killer.

I am using 2 or 3 pieces each day to reduce the localised pain.  I do not know about the long term effects but it definitely make it more comfortable for me to go about my life.

IMM

I am getting to know IMM, Westgate and Jem well.  Parking at IMM is quite reasonable as first 2 hours are free.  Today, we try out Orange Lantern, Vietnamese Resturant.  I loved Vietnamese food.  But this resturant's food is on average.  So I am not going back again.  Vietnamese Rolls in ION is far better.  Next time I may try the Thai food recommended by Sketcher retail manager.  The place seems well patronise. 

Right Hip is Sore

Since 3 days ago, my right hip is becoming more and more sore.  It is now giving me dull pain constantly.  I think it is the scar tissue forming and tightening on the nerve.  I hope it will go away with physiotherapy. 

The pain is distracting me as I go about my day whether it is walking or driving.  I hope I do not painkillers to suppress this discomfort.

The Earlier You Retire, the Longer You Live!

Everyday is the same when you are not working.  There is a Boeing actuarial study that found the earlier you retire, the longer you live.  I did a Google search on retirement age vs lifespan.  Many studies since then found it may be other factors other than the retirement age.  For example, one study the type of job, another look at the income or wealth.  So the link of longevity to retirement age may not be so simple.

As for me, it is not living long that is important.  It is the quality of life.  The mobility and ability to do one's desire.  There is no point in living long if the quality of life suffers.  Best is to have a fulfilling life and ends well.

Spinal Ops Recovery

It is just after two weeks from my spinal operations to fuse L4 and L5.  The post op pain was intense.  Morphine helps but also makes me drowsy.  I have only PCA for 2 days.  After which it was oral opiate.  I had an episode of cold turkey when I sweat profusely and feels so unwell throughout.  My doctor says it is the side effects of Tramadol.  So I stop taking Tramadol.

Today, I am not taking any painkillers anymore.  Not even paracetamol or commonly known as Panadol.  Only issue is during driving.  I can feel the pressure of the metal pressing into my flesh.

I am starting to feel more normal and very glad for it!

Flash Floods and Clear Water in the Pond!

We are getting flash floods during downpour this afternoon.  It is almost a regular occurence with heavy rainfalls.  My outdoor pond is getting refresh with fresh rainwater.  So now, it is clear.  I am very happy with the outcome.  The filter from China cost about one-fifth the price of my Laguna filter but it did not work.  Maybe I did not put in the parts required properly.  The Laguna filter has more sponge.  So it works well.

I am happy to see the bottom of my pond.  It is relaxing to see the fishes swimming about.

B1 Back from Shanghai

B1 went for business trip in Shanghai.  He was quite excited and he extended for the weekend.  He find the trip tiring and the workload very demanding as the entertainment part drinking and karaoke is exhausting.

It is good experience and hopefully he will do more business trips.

Lazing is Easy

I am lazing around.  It is so easy with internet and Youtube.  I can watched videos all day long.  Nowadays even watched Youtube before sleeping instead of reading.  However, my Kobo allows me to pass time reading while queuing and waiting to order my food.  I am trying the programming and made so progress.  However, it is easy to go the way the water flow.  It still take efforts to figure out how the programming works.  Every time I accomplished a little learning, I reward myself with videos.  Unfortunately, the videos are addictive.  So my progress is slow to say the least.

Recovering from Post Ops

I am back at home recovering from post ops.  Check out on Saturday after the drain was removed.  I actually removed it myself!  I sat on a chair and wanted to go toilet.  So I took out the detachable table in front of my chair and walk out to place it on a safe place.  As I walked out, I feel pain on my back.  I thought it was backache.  I pressed hard at the sore area to reduce the pain and realised my drainage tube is no longer attached to me!!!

Anyway, it was fine as there is no "active" bleeding.  I was then discharged.  At home, my wound is still bleeding inside, so there is a big bulge at the surgical site.  But it did not too big a problem.

Yesterday, I went to Golden Mile Hawker Center for Yong Tau Fu lunch.  The youg tao fu is quite good and worth the wait.  2 bowls cost $11.