GP = General Practitioner
Pedic = Pediatrician
Having 4 kids, among other zillion things, also meant numerous numerous trips to the clinics and hospitals. Specialists and non-specialists. Some short wait and some long wait. All these experiences have made me sometimes acted through instinct on which doctor should I visit, or which clinic and doctor should I go to or ban! I now have my own favorite doctors. I know the prescriptions by name, I sometimes prescribe them on my own.. based on experience and some research on the internet. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. But of course I don't go overboard! Like I never prescribe antibiotics for them like some mothers would!
Most of the time, I would bring the kids to a pediatrician if they are below one year old. Simply because I think a pedic treats a child better than a GP. They handle the kids better since they are trained to do so I guess. And also they explain better. But of course I have met a mean pedic who would glare at babies and prescribed the strongest dose of medication! But most of the pedic I met are nice ones. There are also nice and experienced GP who's had many kids as patients.. but I am still comfortable with a pedic.
There's this one GP who scolded me because he couldn't handle a crying baby Irsyad, "you see, how can I check him like this?" he said with an angry tone towards me. How am I supposed to know.. you are the doctor!
And there's this lady doctor who raised her eyebrow and shook her head when I told her Eussuv was still breast-fed at the age of 2 (at that time) and said "don't you think he's too old already to be breastfed?" .. and that came from a lady doctor who's supposed to support breastfeeding! And by the way, she's a gynae operating a GP clinic. For this one, it's not about being a GP or a pedic, but being a doctor itself. Aren't you supposed to be supportive?
I try to stick to only one pedic and one GP these days. Just to make sure they have our health history. Since they are 4 of them, I would try my trusted GP first. Then if their sickness prolong then only I bring them to the pedic. Most of the time, the pedic's prescriptions works better, not necessarily faster. Of course a GP would be a cheaper choice.. but who wants to compromise a child's health? While I still can afford it! I pray hard all of them will stay healthy and there will not be the day when I have to compromise their health to $$$$!
Not trying to generalise doctors.. just telling my stories!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ear Infection
Ear infection is something common among children, and even sometimes adults. But not all children will get it. And I think some kids are more prone to it as compared to others. I will write this based on my own experience.. not as a doctor as I'm definitely not one.
The symptoms are just high fever and ear-ache. This is easier detected if your child can explain where the pain is. But for babies or toddlers who can barely speak, you can suspect through the high fever and a non-stop screaming and wailing! From the pediatrician's explaination, this infection is very very painful for kids. Thus the screaming and wailing.
The treatment for the fever and pain is simple, paracetamol or any pain killers for kids. But for the infection, probably antibiotics as prescribed by your pediatrician. Though I read in one website about ear infection which says antibiotics is not always required for it, believe me.. the doctor always prescribed one.
I had to face a few rounds of ear infection with my kids. Irsyad had one when he was three.. he had high fever and was screaming in pain. Being first time mother, I had no idea what to do except to bring him to an emergency at the wee hour of the morning. Only to be told he had ear infection. The doctor inserted "the bullet" into his anus.. and prescribed some antibiotics. He was OK the very next day.
Eussuv had it worst at 2 years old. His fever was really high that he was babbling nonsense. I panicked.. brought him to an emergency and this time at a Government hospital because it was a Sunday nite and that was the nearest hospital. They admitted him.. stayed there for 3 nites with very little improvement on his fever. Only the fourth day they found out that it was JUST ear infection. My usual pediatrician could have detected it in seconds!!! Not to say anything about government hospitals, but really... 3-4 days to detect an ear infection??
Eussuv had another round of the infection just recently at the age of 8! So I was wrong to think that it could only happened to babies and toddlers. I suspected it could be ear infection when he complained of ear pain just before he went to sleep and followed by fever the very next day. Brought him to a GP and this is the exact words of the GP - "Ear infection is very dangerous. It's in the middle ear. Rather close to the brain. There's only one thin line separating it from the brain. So we have to be very careful. We don't want to the infection goes to the brain.. you know what it means!".. Boy, was I scared!! And for that he gave me one "good" antibiotic (his words again.. GOOD ANTIBIOTIC). We've had this antibiotic before for other infection, you only take it once a day for three days. So I was satisfied.
But Eussuv did not recover for the next three days. He was tired, sleepy, no apetite and still feverish. So I had to bring him to our usual pediatrician. His ear infection is still there. I told the doctor that he already finished a round of antibiotic (I mentioned the name of this GOOD antibiotic). And guess what the doctor said. "Oh that antibiotic is not suitable for ear infection.." HAH" What can I say.. we learn something new everyday? He is fully recovered after a few days. I hope he won't get infected again.
Oh.. and what's the cause of the infection? Both doctors said it's due to a backflow of cold into your ears. When you blow your nose too hard, the mucus goes into the ears and stay here, thus causing the bacteria to develop. So .. next time you or your kids have cold, don't blow too hard.
I hope Syasya and Omar will not experience the pain of ear infection. It will be painful for them.. and sleepless nites for me!!
You can read more, official information on Ear infection here. http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068797/
The symptoms are just high fever and ear-ache. This is easier detected if your child can explain where the pain is. But for babies or toddlers who can barely speak, you can suspect through the high fever and a non-stop screaming and wailing! From the pediatrician's explaination, this infection is very very painful for kids. Thus the screaming and wailing.
The treatment for the fever and pain is simple, paracetamol or any pain killers for kids. But for the infection, probably antibiotics as prescribed by your pediatrician. Though I read in one website about ear infection which says antibiotics is not always required for it, believe me.. the doctor always prescribed one.
I had to face a few rounds of ear infection with my kids. Irsyad had one when he was three.. he had high fever and was screaming in pain. Being first time mother, I had no idea what to do except to bring him to an emergency at the wee hour of the morning. Only to be told he had ear infection. The doctor inserted "the bullet" into his anus.. and prescribed some antibiotics. He was OK the very next day.
Eussuv had it worst at 2 years old. His fever was really high that he was babbling nonsense. I panicked.. brought him to an emergency and this time at a Government hospital because it was a Sunday nite and that was the nearest hospital. They admitted him.. stayed there for 3 nites with very little improvement on his fever. Only the fourth day they found out that it was JUST ear infection. My usual pediatrician could have detected it in seconds!!! Not to say anything about government hospitals, but really... 3-4 days to detect an ear infection??
Eussuv had another round of the infection just recently at the age of 8! So I was wrong to think that it could only happened to babies and toddlers. I suspected it could be ear infection when he complained of ear pain just before he went to sleep and followed by fever the very next day. Brought him to a GP and this is the exact words of the GP - "Ear infection is very dangerous. It's in the middle ear. Rather close to the brain. There's only one thin line separating it from the brain. So we have to be very careful. We don't want to the infection goes to the brain.. you know what it means!".. Boy, was I scared!! And for that he gave me one "good" antibiotic (his words again.. GOOD ANTIBIOTIC). We've had this antibiotic before for other infection, you only take it once a day for three days. So I was satisfied.
But Eussuv did not recover for the next three days. He was tired, sleepy, no apetite and still feverish. So I had to bring him to our usual pediatrician. His ear infection is still there. I told the doctor that he already finished a round of antibiotic (I mentioned the name of this GOOD antibiotic). And guess what the doctor said. "Oh that antibiotic is not suitable for ear infection.." HAH" What can I say.. we learn something new everyday? He is fully recovered after a few days. I hope he won't get infected again.
Oh.. and what's the cause of the infection? Both doctors said it's due to a backflow of cold into your ears. When you blow your nose too hard, the mucus goes into the ears and stay here, thus causing the bacteria to develop. So .. next time you or your kids have cold, don't blow too hard.
I hope Syasya and Omar will not experience the pain of ear infection. It will be painful for them.. and sleepless nites for me!!
You can read more, official information on Ear infection here. http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068797/
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Holiday for kids... not so holiday for mom
Exams are over. The year end school holiday is here. As much as I'm glad school is over, I wish I'm at home to enjoy the holidays with them. I would have a lot of plans for them if I'm not working.
-I would balik kampung and stay there for a week..
-I would send them for any seminars or owrkshop for kids..
-I would simply stay at home and cook for them.. and watch over them..
-They could play outside since Mummy is at home (no one is allowed outside the gate if Mummy is not at home!)
-I would go out for a movie or simply lepak at the mall (really??) ..
-Go cycling in the park..
Oh how nice to dream...
Perhaps next year?
While the holiday is really here.. the auditors will be here as well.. in my office.. thus.. no time off, no leave for the next two weeks. Patience.. patience.. this is one last one! 7 more weeks to go. Will make it up the next school holidays where I'll be free free free... (I really do pray so!)
Have a good school break everybody!!
-I would balik kampung and stay there for a week..
-I would send them for any seminars or owrkshop for kids..
-I would simply stay at home and cook for them.. and watch over them..
-They could play outside since Mummy is at home (no one is allowed outside the gate if Mummy is not at home!)
-I would go out for a movie or simply lepak at the mall (really??) ..
-Go cycling in the park..
Oh how nice to dream...
Perhaps next year?
While the holiday is really here.. the auditors will be here as well.. in my office.. thus.. no time off, no leave for the next two weeks. Patience.. patience.. this is one last one! 7 more weeks to go. Will make it up the next school holidays where I'll be free free free... (I really do pray so!)
Have a good school break everybody!!
Of Syasya and Adam
Syasya and Adam are best of friends. They first met at Eussuv's birthday party late 2007. Adam is the little brother of Alif, Eussuv's good friend from his agama school. Alif came to the birthday party with his family including parents, and two little brothers, Adam and Aiman. Aiman is the same age as Omar. From then onwards, we become family friends. The family of 3 boys is such a lovely, well-mannered family with a beautiful and soft spoken lady of the house.
OK back to Syasya and Adam, they hit it off instantly when they first met. Adam is rather a shy boy but seemed to be very friendly towards Syasya. In January 2008 they went to the same pre-school. This is where the friendship develop. Syasya was a bit apprehensive at first going to a new school and meeting new people. But with Adam around, she adapted quite well. Eventually, they became inseparable! Syasya will not sit with anybody else but Adam, and vice versa. For any activities in the class, the teacher had to pair them together.. otherwise, one will not move! They do have other friends, but they will still be around each other. They are like a support pillar to each other. When either one is absent, they will call each other to ask why.. and say.. "you must come to school tomorrow ok..." Cute huh!
And.. here they are. Looking very playful.. like true friends.. I hope they will remain friends for a long time. I hope they will remember each other when they grow up.. And I hope they will value their friendship just as I value mine...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
How?
How do one control his/her anger?
How do one de-stress?
How do one has so much patience?
If there's no anger, no stress and lots of patience, the world would be a perfect world to live in...
There'd be no violence, no crime, lots of love...
Then again ... life will be so dull.. no ups and downs..
The beauty of life is in its colors.. white, black or grey.. they are still colors but adding blue, green, purple and red will make it perfect!
How do one de-stress?
How do one has so much patience?
If there's no anger, no stress and lots of patience, the world would be a perfect world to live in...
There'd be no violence, no crime, lots of love...
Then again ... life will be so dull.. no ups and downs..
The beauty of life is in its colors.. white, black or grey.. they are still colors but adding blue, green, purple and red will make it perfect!
40 tips for a better life
I decided to cut and paste these tips which I got in my mailbox some time ago. To be shared with my fellow bloggers as well as readers. Take note: these are only tips.. you might have more, and you may not agree with some..
Here they are:
1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games..
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. GOD ! heals everything.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
32. The best is yet to come.
33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
34. Do the right thing!
35. Call your family often.
36. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
37. Each day give something good to others.
38. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
39. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
40. Share these tips with everyone you care about.
I would also like to add some:
41. Cherish the moment.. not the past nor the future
42. Love unconditionally
Live life the way they are. You are in charge of your own life, emotional and physical being!
Here they are:
1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games..
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. GOD ! heals everything.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
32. The best is yet to come.
33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
34. Do the right thing!
35. Call your family often.
36. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
37. Each day give something good to others.
38. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
39. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
40. Share these tips with everyone you care about.
I would also like to add some:
41. Cherish the moment.. not the past nor the future
42. Love unconditionally
Live life the way they are. You are in charge of your own life, emotional and physical being!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
My growing up boy
Irsyad turned 10 last July. How time flies! I still remembered his face the first moment I saw him fresh from my tummy. And now he is 10. He has turned out to be such a wonderful boy though having bouts of tantrum (yeap still!). Instead of still being "my baby", he has become an individual on his own, having his own needs and wants.. no longer needing his mommy around. It's rather sad.
Hey.. wait a minute.. he's only 10! How come I have all this feeling? Of course he still needs mommy around! Perhaps he has changed so much this year that makes me feel this way. These are the obvious change:
1) Refuse to wear any cartoon character t-shirts or PJs. No more Superman or Ultraman. Would only wear those abstract t-shirt or with "cool" words on it.. like "Quicksilver" or "BAM", "GAP".. or cool phrases like "My life rules..." or the likes.
2) Loves jeans and t-shirt for outing.. no more slack.. (slack is considered "nerdy"!).. he hated jeans last year and wud only wear slack! Short shorts is a big no no except for Bermudas
3) Shirt and pants.. must match in colors.. has become very color coordinated!
4) Started chatting on YM with friends.. and wud invte all friend to be on YM. This... is a bit scary, I must always be watching
5) Search for real songs (like Letto) on YouTube instead of Ultraman, Ben10 or Digimon
6) Think Std 2 kids are small KIDs!!
7) Stay up late for movies or simply YM.. and wake up late.. (this is a no no really.. the latest I allow is 10am)
8) Cannot live without his handphone!
And the list can go on and on!
I did not really notice this as I treat them all the same.. my babies. But with all these changes, I have to treat him differently. One is because to ensure that he understands that I understand him, thus he will not stray away from me as his MOM and start seeking for his friends' advice instead! I have to be his friend as well! Two, because to let him grow and develop as a "good" teenager with our guidance. To guide him to face the cruel world outside. Perhaps he's not quite there yet but a strong foundation shouldbe instilled from now on.
There are too many social ills out there involving youth these days and it really scares me. I can only guide my children to some point of their life, after that their lives is in their own hands. Without a strong foundation of faith, good values and partly education, they can easily get strayed away.
Having said that, I believe I myself must change my parenting style to suit the age. We have to behave accordingly to their age as well. Treat them as an individual.. no longer the baby we carry in our arms.. but rather the one we guide with our hands and heart.
I hope I will be the "abled" parent to do this... now for Irsyad and later for the rest of his siblings. Nevertheless, no matter how old they are.. they are still my "babies" in my heart!
Hey.. wait a minute.. he's only 10! How come I have all this feeling? Of course he still needs mommy around! Perhaps he has changed so much this year that makes me feel this way. These are the obvious change:
1) Refuse to wear any cartoon character t-shirts or PJs. No more Superman or Ultraman. Would only wear those abstract t-shirt or with "cool" words on it.. like "Quicksilver" or "BAM", "GAP".. or cool phrases like "My life rules..." or the likes.
2) Loves jeans and t-shirt for outing.. no more slack.. (slack is considered "nerdy"!).. he hated jeans last year and wud only wear slack! Short shorts is a big no no except for Bermudas
3) Shirt and pants.. must match in colors.. has become very color coordinated!
4) Started chatting on YM with friends.. and wud invte all friend to be on YM. This... is a bit scary, I must always be watching
5) Search for real songs (like Letto) on YouTube instead of Ultraman, Ben10 or Digimon
6) Think Std 2 kids are small KIDs!!
7) Stay up late for movies or simply YM.. and wake up late.. (this is a no no really.. the latest I allow is 10am)
8) Cannot live without his handphone!
And the list can go on and on!
I did not really notice this as I treat them all the same.. my babies. But with all these changes, I have to treat him differently. One is because to ensure that he understands that I understand him, thus he will not stray away from me as his MOM and start seeking for his friends' advice instead! I have to be his friend as well! Two, because to let him grow and develop as a "good" teenager with our guidance. To guide him to face the cruel world outside. Perhaps he's not quite there yet but a strong foundation shouldbe instilled from now on.
There are too many social ills out there involving youth these days and it really scares me. I can only guide my children to some point of their life, after that their lives is in their own hands. Without a strong foundation of faith, good values and partly education, they can easily get strayed away.
Having said that, I believe I myself must change my parenting style to suit the age. We have to behave accordingly to their age as well. Treat them as an individual.. no longer the baby we carry in our arms.. but rather the one we guide with our hands and heart.
I hope I will be the "abled" parent to do this... now for Irsyad and later for the rest of his siblings. Nevertheless, no matter how old they are.. they are still my "babies" in my heart!
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