*--*--* AlFred, RoAnna & Lil ReAnne *--*--*--: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Nasty Rash

First of all, many thanks to our Special Guest - Mr Alfred Leek for blogging the "Exciting" incidents that happened recently. Many of the readers feedback that they do enjoy reading his posts, so Mr Leek do "come"again whenever you are free ya!

After our princess recover from the high fever, nasty rash appeared on her whole body.

(Lucky this rash is not itchy at all)

So we can confirmed that her high fever is caused by this viral virus call Roseola.

Roseola usually strikes babies aged between 9mths - 21mths. It will usually have high fever for a few days before the rashes appeared. There will be other symptoms such as runny nose, cough, mild diarrhoea, irratability and etc.

Sadly to say, our princess still haven recover from her cough and runny nose. And she is even more "Sticky" nowadays!

Hope that she can recover fast and go back to our cheerful little gal!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Race Against Time V

19th Oct 2010 - 1720hrs.

We touch down at Singapore Changi Airport and went straight to Dr Sim clinic at Elias mall, and was 1st in the Q (NICE...!!! For the past 48hrs, this is the only gd thing that happens).... But the clinic opens at 1830hrs and we are 30min earlier.

Time passed at tortise pace ... tick tok tick tok tick tok ......

Finally, the nurse appears from inside the clinic and starts to unlock the door. Once I see the nurse coming, I gave her the thumb up (Roanna is beside me, telling me: Dont be crazy!!!) But the nurse didnt even smile back at me... but what the heck .. I dont really care also !

***Anyway I dont remember knowing any clinic nurse that is friendly. They are always stern/angry looking***

5min passed - 1835hrs.

Alfred: Nurse, Dr not here yet ??
Nurse: Dr is usually here at 1840hrs.
Alfred: okioki...(not very satisified because I just want to get this over and done with, so can go back change and bath.)

Then I turn to Roanna and recheck to make sure we have everything that needs to show Dr Sim.
Health book, lab reports from RSPI, medicine prescribe by Doc in Jakarta....

Alfred: Dear, where is the medicine??
Roanne: I dont know, you put it back into the bag before we board the plane right!
Alfred: ARghhh... yaya..!! How? Need to show Dr Sim?
Roanna:Errr...I think oki la...(while trying to remember the name of the medication).
Alfred: Never mind.. I go take (The car is parked quite a distance away cos I forget to bring my cashcard and cant park at the "cashcard car park" below the clinic!)

I ran as fast as my legs can take me (OMG .. When is the last time I ran this fast!!!) and halfway through, I saw DR Sim walking towards the clinic.. Damn it !!! I ran and ran and ran... reached the car, opens the boot and grap the medicine and double up back to the clinic.

Alfred: Anyone went in already?
Roanna: wow... you are fast...! No, Dr Sim just reach, we are still 1st in the Q.
Alfred: haha... okioki gdgd (panting like a dog!!!!)

Reanne Leek.... you can go in now...... called the nurse!

Dr Sim: What happen to her?
Alfred: Fever, high fever (still panting and sweating)
Dr Sim: Since when ?
Alfred: Sunday.! But the fever is very high, 40degC.
Dr Sim: okioki .. let me see.

He also took out the ice cream stick and put into Reanne's mouth and shines his torch into her throat....

Dr Sim: Reddness !!!
Alfred: Ya, we know. This is what Dr Karyle told us also. But can it cause such high fever??
Dr Sim: hmmm.... I dont think so. (He proceed to check her body).

Well.. Reanne is so Ke Qi that she gave Dr Sim a welcome gift.!... diapers full of shit!

Roanna: ops..sorry Doc!
Dr Sim: No problem !! (looking very professional)
Alfred: Where is her diapers?
Roanna: Its in the luggage. You said put it all inside ma. (And the luggage is in the car!!!)

***Damn it.. everything we need is in the CAR!!!*** Apparently it was my bright idea to put our diaper bag and all the things that Reanne needs into a hand carry luggage (those that comes with 4 wheels). So we dun need to carry a extra bag with us, we just pull the hand luggage! LAZY !!!!

5min later....

Dr Sim: It must be a virus attack.
Alfred: Then how?
Dr Sim: I will give her a stronger medicine and we will see how in 2 days.
Alfred: 2days again!!

We then proceed to show him the lab report from Jakarta. And Dr Sim said that, Dr Sander is making the right decision to administer a blood test and urine test for her. Its appropriate. Its actually can tell us alot of things by reading this report, said Dr Sim.

*** Thumbs up for Dr Sander***

Dr Sim also comment that the medication prescribe by Dr Karyle is too mild, and cant kill the virus (No Wonder the fever cant go down). I think Dr Karyle thought that Reanne fever is caused by the throat infection (which is not...wrong diagnostic....FAINT !!!!!). Dr Sim agree also. After explaining to us what is the likely cause, follow by what kind of prescription he will be giving and also what to expect in the next 48hrs, our hearts becomes lighter and most important we know what can be expected in the next 48hrs (unlike Dr Lily thats only tells us to go back and wait!!!)....GD JOB Dr Sim!

By 1930hrs, we are back home!!! Its nice to be home (Mum took the effort to rush home from Punggol to help us change the bedsheet)! After settling down and we took turns to bath and by 2030hrs we are all cleaned up (especially me) and of course we end the day with a good dinner..... Wanton noodle and fried oyster from Changi Village !

All the below happens while Reanne is sleeping..........

Roanna: HAO CHI HAO CHI HAO CHI

:)

The upcoming 2days, we receive alot of calls from families member asking "How is her fever"?? "Is she recovering well" ?? and also some "Grandma remedies for curing high fever" !

As I conclude our "Race Against Time" sequel, Reanne is recovering well under the absolute care of Roanna in Singapore and she is back to her active and curious self (other than rashes developed because of the fever). During these few days while I am not with them, she had learned how to say "Please" using sign language (rubbing her right palm on her chest) and also clapping her hands (which we have been teaching her since 2months ago. And when its happens, its a pity that I am not around to witness it!). Neverthless, she did her new tricks infront of the webcam which i get to see also, although I am 1000miles away. GD JOB BABY !

Lastly, I will end this with a "Nothing can stop me" photo :

*********************************************************************************

A parent's responsibilities,
is a sequel that is started by 2 persons, with no ending episode!

Alfred/Roanna/Reanne

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Race Against Time IV

19th Oct 2010

Reanne's fever is still hovering above 39degC and we decided to bring her back to Singapore. Without delay, I changed their ticket schedule (they are suppose to fly back on 23rd oct 2010) and luckily, I manage to get a ticket also.

By 1pm, we are already checked in and waiting to clear immigration. Once cleared, we went to to starbucks (cos I can get free drinks and snack with my credit card...) order a drink and sandwhich to share and at the same time trying to coax Reanne to take her medicine.

Disaster happens....as we force the anti-biotics into her mouth, she vomit out... and she was in my arm.... Roanna starts to take tissue and cleaned her up .. while I wait for my turn.....

Alfred: Dear, how? My shirt kenna leh...
Roanna: Never mind la.. abit only (although she can see the white vomit on my left sleeve)
Alfred: never mind meh ?!! smelly la... how to board the plane...? (She is now cleaning my sleeve)
Roanna: Then how?? you want to buy a new shirt?
Alfred: I think i can still afford to buy 1 shirt la

As we are talking, something happens again... Reanne's "shit".... Instantly, I thought to myself, where is the nursing room ? Is there 1 here in the Jakarta airport? I dont remember seeing it before. So with her in my arms, I walk around to ask the airport staff.

1 of the staff told me there is one at the end of the building near the Business class lounge. Lucky they have 1 here (I been to the Business class lounge but have never notice the nursing room sign)... phew !!!! I then go back to Roanna (she is eating the sandwhich and ice chocolate)

Alfred: Dear, lucky they have nursing room here. I going to bring her to change diapers and after you eat, you go find me (grapping the diapers bag and at the same time telling Roanna the nursing room location, although I am not so sure of the place also)

Roanna: okioki....

Then I storm off..Time is 1345hrs. And our fligth is 1430hr.

As I walk closer towards the end of the building, my head is stretching out to look for the nursing room sign...closer to the end, I saw a sign that reads "nursing room" (i am still like 20m away). Hmmmm....I was thinking to myself......not bad.. its a nursing room here and its not those changing platform that is attach in a toilet type.. gdgd... fastening up my pace....

I was shocked to see what's the nursing room's like........

YES... This dirty looking room is the nursing room at the Jakarta's International Airport, departure terminal. !!! I regret that I didnt took a close up shoot on the changing "top"... Oh well, they are considerate enough to put the non-smoking sign in the room.. anyway 2nd hand smoke is bad for babies.........BUT THE WHOLE ROOM SMELL LIKE A SMOKING ROOM!!!!!

I quickly place Reanne's onto the changing top and change her... at this time, Roanna walks in....

Roanna: Huh..This is the change room huh?!
Alfred: Ya.. faster come and help (Reanne is already screaming)

3min later, we are done and walking towards our boarding gate and of course taking turns to go toilet before boarding. My final question to her is:

Alfred: Dear, you sure I am not smelly???

To be cont......

The Race Against Time III

2230hrs

The Blood test result is out...

Result is consider normal, expect for Moncyte which is above the reference range. Since Platelets counts is normal, they discard dengue fever possibility - For now.

Dr lily: result seems oki... come back in another 2days to do another blood test.
Daddy: Why must do blood test again?
DrLily: Just to make sure...
Daddy: Make sure what ??!!!...Dengue fever??
Dr Lily: Ya (very reluctantly) cos the platelets at this moment seems normal. But dengue fever at early stage, you cant detect anything at all...
Daddy: SWEAT !!!!! Then can I admit her for a night, just to monitor her?
De Lily: oh. Dont need to... Just go home and wait (speaks so casually)....
Daddy: WAIT !! wait what ?? For the dengue to develope?? Does it mean we can discard the facts that the fever is still so high and not residing ?
Dr Lily: Its oki....dont Worry.

As we are talking, there must be 5 children/child coming in with high fever developing ... And i overheard the nurse taking down their conditions, all told the nurse that their kids have been having high fever for 4-6days..........

No wonder they took our case so lightly... Reanne's is only having fever for less than 2days... When I told Roanna this, she just frown......!!! I went back to Dr Lily and ask, other than dengue, what is the other possibilities for the high fever.... She said that urinal tract infection !!

Then should we do a urine test ? Since we are already here. ! She replied : Well, If you want, you can.

After 3hrs ....

we got to collect Reanne's urine and as she is not taking as much water as she used to be, so it took awhile before we got her urine. I send in her urine and at the same time, drove Roanna and Reanne back home so that they can rest, while I turn around and drive back to the hospital for the result.

Result is already out...

This time round, Dr Lily is tending to another Emergency case and another duty doctor took over.... I must be waiting for at least 30min before he came and explain the result to me...You can see what is he busy with below.....................................................

FYI...........he is not attending to any case, but just CHIT CHATTING to the man infront of him (Can imagine how angry I was!!!!)

Dr: Result is oki...Dont worry. No infection
Daddy: Then why fever still so so high.?

He (I forget his name) then Scramble to read Reanne's file...flipping front and back...looking abit confused and blur....

After 3min....

Daddy: Dr, you are reading the wrong file.. my daughter name is REanne Leek (FAINT!!!!).
Dr: Oh..okioki...

He signal for the nurse to come .. and finally he got hold of Reanne's file...

Dr: What did Dr Lily says???

The ward nurse then repeat the whole thing to him and he just "Cut and Paste" and repeat it back to me.....

To be cont...

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Race Against Time II

18th Oct 2010 - 2015hrs

In a matter of minutes, we are reached AnE of "RSPI"... The duty doctor is a lady - Dr Lily. Without delay, I told her about Reanne conditions and she start to scribe something on Reanne file. As she instruct the nurse to administer medication to her. After her instructions, I ask her :

Daddy: Dr, is this the usual/best way of attending to her ? She is running 40degC fever.
Dr Lily: If not, what do you want????
Daddy: Angrily/impatiently... you are the Doc, you should advise me! I just want to make my daughter feels better.!

Finally, I stop her and said: Maybe we should call Dr Sander (Reanne's pediatric) and see if he got another views (as I believes that ward doctors are very general trained and they usually follows standard protocol). She was hesitant at my request but gave in eventually.

Dr Sander instructions was to get them to do a BLOOD test on Reanne !!!! BLOOD TEST !!!! My heart stops when I hear this. Con-currently, a few questions pops up in my mind...

1. How are they going to draw the blood from her
2. Why they need to do blood test? Is it dengue fever (which is very common in Indonesia)?

After awhile, the nurse came with the needle and test tube for blood...... :(
At this point of time, I have 1 relax looking nurse (apparently they feels that its not a big thing anyway.. its only fever), 1 crying baby - Reanne and 1 crying mother - Roanna. Then I ask 1 of the nurse..

Daddy: How are you gonna to do it? You cant hold her hands down for even 3sec. She will struggle.
Nurse 1: place her down on the bed and tilt her side way. (the moment she leaves mummy arms, she starts to cry and struggle...).
Daddy: You cant do it like this....
Nurse 1: Ya, I cant do it alone.... I need help (and she signal for help).

***All this while, Reanne is screaming and Mummy is crying***

Nurse 2 came and we start all over again.....

First, they press down reanne right arm and wrap her arm and legs under the blanket (to prevent her from struggling). As we are holding her down, the nurses proceed to insert the needle into left arm... As they are doing this, I over heard:

Nurse 1 : The veins is so small....
Nurse 2 : Try first.. but slowly
Nurse 1 : Cant really see.... (at the same time she was tapping her arms, trying the locate the vein)

Daddy : Do you know how to do it?? If not ask someone that knows.! Can you see the vein??
Nurse 1 : Dont worry we know.. (she is still trying to locate the vein)
Nurse 2 : Dont cry mummy .. dont worry...( Roanna's tears is bigger than Reanne's ones)

Finally, they manage to insert the needle and the next thing we realise is the blood is flowing out very slowly and they are squeezing her arms to speed up the flow or to make sure blood is flowing out....then comes our questions...

Mummy : Dear, why they need to squeeze her arms? Why blood is flowing so slow? She dont have enough blood meh ?
Daddy : I also not sure .. let me ask.
Daddy : Nurse, why the blood is flowing so slow? Is this normal?
Nurse 1 : Oh.. dont worry fever cos the blood to thicken and hence is not flowing our as fast.
Daddy : Are you sure (not convince) ... other babies also like this??
Nurse 1: Yes. No problem.

After 15min, all is done and the result is ......

Immediately after the nurse tapped the needle, Roanna scope Reanne out of the bed and cuddle her, hold her as close to her as she can (tears still dropping from her eyes and Reanne is still crying) . At this time, I did what a husband and daddy should....

I lean forward and give them a big hug and a kiss to Roanna and Reanne.....

The test result will be out only in 2hrs.....the clock reads 2100hrs!!!

It has been almost 45min since Reanne last took her medicine, but we can still feels her head is burning. So we measured her temperature again.... its reads 38.8degC. I immediately go to the nurse and told her the fever is still high ( at the same time showing her the reading on the Thermoscan ear thermometer....seeing is believing!!!). Her immediate response is .. Oh this type of thermometer is not accurate. I look at her in denial ! Out of goodwill, she signal a junior nurse to come and help us retake Reanne's temperature with their "more accurate thermometer".

The junior nurse walks towards our bed and she holds a thermometer holder in her hand. I starts to wonder what type of thermometer they have that can be more accurate than our Braun's Thermoscan Ear Thermometer. !!!!

As she settles down, opens up the holder and flash out the thermometer that the AnE department uses and claims to be more accurate than our Braun's Thermoscan Ear Thermometer .! Both of us were shocked..... Its a conventional "Mercury type thermometer" !!! WTF....Can this be more accurate than ours??? First,you needs more time to take the reading, and putting it under a grumpy baby arm is not a easy task also.

Again... we have to hold her down again for the nurse to take her temperature...After 1min or so, Its reads 37.8degC (vs 38.8degC that we measure using our Braun's Thermoscan Ear Thermometer). Its below 38degC the nurse said ! And looking very satisfied, she walks away after telling us: Its coming down.. dont worry.

We are not convinced at all... Her body temperature dosent feels like its below 38degC. But there is nothing we can do. We just carry her out of the AnE room to the walkway for a walk.

As we are waiting for the blood test result, I keep thinking.. Is Mercury thermometer more accurate than these thermoscan ones? ? ?

Another 1.5hrs to go before the result is out... our hearts are heavy... praying and hoping that the result will not contains any surprise.

Its 1 of the longest 2hrs of my life.......

To be cont.......

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Race Against Time I

Its all started with me rushing home from office to cook dinner (although I usually cook only on weekends).....The truth is .. our precious girl is having fever since the day before - Sunday 17th Oct 2010 and Roanna got to channel all her time to pacify this grumpy girl...

Monday - 18th Oct 2010

Reanne fever is still not getting any better despite giving her panadol and sponging her whole night... so we decided to bring her to see a pediatric. The usual one that we used to visit - Dr Sander is on duty at the other clinic, so we are force to bring her to another doctor - Dr Karyle.

As usual, the nurse will take her weight and temperature first before our turn. At 10mths 2days old, Reanne weigh 8.08kg. As she proceed to take her temperature, she flash out a digital thermometer (Its a shocker that they do not those thermoscan electronic ear type which is already a common household item in Singapore and consider the fact that this is 1 of the best private hospital in Jakarta...We are shocked!!) and trying to scope it under Reanne's armpit...well knowing my girl, you can hardly force her to do tings what she dont wish to do..!!! so she just scream and cry as the nurse try to hold her arm down as she tried to measure her temperature.

I immediately stop the nurse (getting angry of course that she is furthering making Reanne so irritated) and told her that we measured her temperature 10min ago (apparently our house is very near to the hospital) and its 39.5degC..... her comment: hmmm.. very high!!!!

10min later.......

We are being called into Dr Karyle room (1st look at him, he gives me the feeling that he cant cure my daughter ...). He took 1min to look at the brief report that the counter nurse pass it to him. Then he skillfully took a ice-cream stick and stick into Reanne's throat, with a torch light on his right hand, he shines into her mouth and exclaim: hmmm.. its throat infection cos there is redness in there....He then prescribe a anitbiotic and fever syrup for her. 5min later, we are out of the room......

1800hrs......

I rush back from office to prepare dinner as Roanna is busy pacifying Reanne (her fever is still high). It was a quick dinner for us as we took turn to eat and carry her.

2000hrs.....

Roanna: Dear...Reanne fever hit 40degC
Alfred : We gotta bring her to AnE......
Roanna: Are you sure?? Should we monitor first??!!
Alfred : No... just bring her there first (as I heard some true accounts on babies having high fever and not treated immediately and mishap happens)
Roanna : okioki .....

As we are getting ready and packing....

Alfred : Dear,please bring our thermoscan ear thermometer with us.
Roanna: Need meh??
Alfred : You forgotten that this morn at the pediatric department they dont have it?!... Just in case la....
Roanna: okioki.....

10min later, we are on our way to the AnE of Pondok Indah Hospital or RSPI as the people here will call it.........

To be cont.....

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Happy 10th Mth Birthday !!

Dear's Birthday Celebration Part 2

On the actual day, after our simple homemade western food, we end the day with a little cake celebration.

The Happy Birthday "Boy" and his darling!!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Vegetable Stock

Vegetable Stock is the first stock i use to cook her porridge before I introduce meat to her.

I always use Sweet Corns and Carrots, these 2 ingredients will never go wrong!

This times round, I add potatoes and onions.

Onions will give the stock a sweet taste.

Ingredients:
2 Sweet Corns
Carrots
Potatoes
Onions
2L of water

Boil the ingredients with high fire
Turn to small fire and cook for 3 hours
Cool and ready to freeze