Healthy Eating

Lately, I've been forcing my healthy eating habits at home. Well, trying to would be a more apt description of my efforts.

Since Hubs was ill and I was off and on ill as well during the weekend, what better time to go healthy right?

First, no more mixed white rice and brown rice. I was too lazy to go through all that effort. We went all the way with brown rice to much of Hubs' dismay.

Next, chicken soup. Using only lean meat and those I've already boiled to get rid of the fat. Loaded the soup with plenty of veggies too.

Then, came Sunday. Salad for late lunch. No snacking. Hubs was already pissed by this time.

"Boring ar all this healthy stuff!"

After our lunch, I went to our front yard to hang some clothes. Came back in to find Hubs in the kitchen wiping the floor.

"What happened?"

"Botol sos cili pecah. Dah you letak kat corner tu I tak nampak, jatuh, pecah ar"

Haizzz...he was trying to take out the snacks from the cupboard and in the process broke the unopened bottle of Life Chilli Sauce.

I felt totally bad ok. I may be able to withstand a bit of starvation to get to our goals but it seems Hubs is not ready yet.

"Come...I'll cooked some scrambled eggs"

"I don't want anymore healthy stuff"

I cooked it anyway and shared it with him. Gave the excuse I was feeling munchy. Even put a bit of butter to cook the eggs with for taste. At the same time assured him that what he got was not the healthy version. If it was, it would have been only egg whites, less salt and cooked with no oil or just a dollop of it.

How do I make clean and healthy eating more interesting?

Out of the Ordinary - Symptoms of UTI

So a few weeks back, I got the cherry berries. Following that incident, I had this persistent pain on my left side for five days straight. So the hubs and I went to the nearest clinic. The doctor concurred that my tummy was just regulating itself post the cherry berries so most likely it's just wind.

A week went by and the pain got worst. It was to the point that I could not even walk. Everytime I stepped on the floor it felt like many needles were piercing my feet. Then the fever came. In the middle of the night, the pain persisted. I was already crying here thinking maybe my appendix burst and if anything goes awry, what's gonna happen to my hubs, my cats and my family. What about all the stuff I worked on for the Firm? Will it all just go to waste? (Yes, drama queen here. Nangis sorang-sorang tengah malam). Through my tears, I navigated google via phone to find out that if there was trouble with my appendix, the pain would be on the right side instead of your left. So that eliminated appendix related issues from my worries.

In the morning, Husbie took leave from work to accompany his wife to the clinic. Did a urine test and lo and behold, I have UTI. There was even a little blood in it. Not visible to the naked eye. 

The thing is I didn't even have problems going to the toilet. 

Previous UTI's I've had was the usual, not drinking a lot of water so I'd have to top up with some citric salts. Even then it was ages ago.

The main indicator would be trouble or pain doing Number 1. Not this time. It was just pain on my left side and both my feet. It's not common to have such a link i.e. the pain at your sides and feet but it does happen. I was prescribed some pain killers and antibiotics.

Fast forward to today, it went away but came back again after two days. This time round, upon another visit to the clinic, Doc sent my urine for lab testing. She suspects the antiobiotics didn't work for the strain of bacteria or something like that.

The point is, you can't take this lightly. Mom already recommended that I visit a gynae soon. May also be beneficial to identify one I'm most comfortable with for future births. For now, waiting for the lab results, guzzling on cranberry juice and surveying on costs for gynae and which hospital to visit.

So ladies, don't second guess when it pertains to your health especially the well-being of your nether regions. 

My little nurse

Stewie accompanying his 'patient' in bed...

Graduation...

Today is my last day of physio. Gonna miss my physiotherapists but I am finally relieved that I won't have to make regular trips to the sports medical centre. Pending final verdict from the doctor next week.

In the meantime, a standing ovation to the KLSMC gang.The team at KLSMC have been awesome. Thanks peeps!

"SEKARANG BOLEH KAHWIN!!!"

Ola Amigos!

Hello, I have RETURN!

To my dear readers and followers, sorry for being away so long. With stuff going on in December 2012 and January 2013, I didn't manage to force myself to spend time in front of the lappie and write.

To recap:

December 2012

1. I did my hair. It's been awhile since I had my very long hair and it was time for a change. Shorter than the last one I had, but I like it and most importantly Boyfie likes it.
2. I had a blast in December with bestie's visit to KL! Maryam was frustrated with her failed persuasions to get me to Dubai and so she decided to come here instead. I had planned for four days of awesome quality time but unfortunately was ill for the final two. Bummer...(Do people still use that?...Hahah). So she left a note for me in the hotel she stayed in before leaving for the airport. She informed that there will be an envelope and some pressies at the counter to pick up. Only in early January did I manage to go to the hotel and pick up the items. I teared up just as I was reading her letter. Missing her already. Here are some pictures on her second day in Malaysia. We went for a day trip to Malacca.
3. I had my first hydro-physio session. It was AWESOME! 
4. I switched to Scholl sandals to support my arch. My injured ankle was much stronger and could support the slightly heavier sandals compared to my Ipanemas. First day using them gave me so much body ache and pain which then continued for weeks.
5. New years? Nothing much. Just stayed home since I had a fever. Recapped my 2012's new year's resolutions while laying in bed...not bad but not good either. Will do better. I was a tad too over-ambitious last year.

All fresh faced from the air-conditioned car

Once at the top, we were like..."Arghhhh...so hawwwttt!!!"

January 2013

1. My sector's family day in Sunway Lagoon. BORRRINNNGG!!! Couldn't participate in any of the games or go on any of the rides as I was still recovering and my physiotherapists had warned me not to go on any of the rides and roller coasters at the risk of further aggravating my injury.
2. Doctor informed that I have another month to go for physio before he can let me go on my own. Happy, happy. Looks like I'm only left with Feb and I am FREEEE!
3. AND FINALLY....JENG JENG JENG...I tendered my resignation. It is time for me to move on and I look forward to this moment. It was supposed to be kept confidential but after realising that the "secret" was out despite my request to at least keep it under wraps until March...I decided to break my own code. Better hear it from me rather than others...I had fun doing it too! No, it is not an act of me bragging around or being rebellious in anyway. It's purely having fun at my own expense...I no longer care how it got out (why stress yourself over useless things such as people's unprofessional behaviour which is beyond your control)...I'd rather press the restart button and start "kosong-kosong" as the Malays well put it. I've gained a lot from my work place and I hope I will be able to have the opportunity to apply it at my new workplace. 

Happy belated New Years! Happy belated Gong Xi Fa Cai! I will remain diplomatic and wish Happy "I love you's" rather than Happy V!

Happy Happy, Joy Joy everyone!

First impressions...

Today was my first trip to the Kuala Lumpur Sports Medical Centre. It's way time for me to do something to speed up my recovery. Hopefully, by end year, I can wear heels again.

To enjoy their physio services and facilities, I must first go through an assessment by my doc.

Up on the stretching board....

Moi' : Doc, I must tell you I fail on the stretching board. Somehow I just can't straighten my back...
Doc: It's ok. I just wanna see how you're like on the board
Moi': Ooo...kaaayyy... but excuse my tonggekness...
Doc : Waaahhhh...you're so tight
Moi' : (Looking at my back)... Yeah, I know
Doc : I'm talking about that...(finger point to my feet)...not that ( finger pointing to my tonggek bit)...
Moi': -________-

Surrounded by doc, nurses and physio attendant's laughter.

In my defense, I was actually looking at my calves.

Lesson learnt

Another emergency visit to the doctor's today. It seems that I often get inflammation to the foot. I was proud of myself for not having to rely on my cane to walk for the past two weeks plus. Of course my hands were flailing about to find balance to walk on my own but I did become stronger with the coming days.

Then came the day to shift my things to another cubicle at work. Urghhhhh...hence the setback. Three of my colleagues did help out in shifting the heavy stuff e.g. the drawer and the PC while I focused in moving majority of my things such as documents, files, etc.

Now, I have to bear the pain. Lesson learnt: Don't get too cocky AND to hell with those who think you're just manja-ing yourself or miffed with the fact you can't manage in doing some of the usual everyday things. In the end, I am the one who has to take medical leave and go through the pain alone.

Sekitar Bulan Syawal 2012

Open houses, raya weekend gatherings and even more open houses...

1st Open house weekend....tu muka penat yerrr....malam tu pulak BBQ session at aunt's....wearing my  Janelle by Jovian

This year, we had Pertandingan Menghiasi Balang Raya to meriahkan lagi our departmental raya event. Participants were to decorate their respective cookie jars using whatever they can get their hands on within the department.

The other team posing with their work-in-progress

Vrrrooooooommmm!!! Kak O* doing her F1 stint in 'stealing' flowers to decorate her cookie jar

These girls were creative in crafting their own by recycling papers and old discarded ribbons

The display from the teams for our Director's decision

Wearing my Jemima by Jovian...at Boyfie's Open House

Whatever is a girl to do with all these makan-makan sessions? Dah puasa enam and tried my best to eat in moderation....and yet, with the amount of meat and food consumed, one is bound to feel...HEAVIER...compared to the feeling while one is fasting. So, I managed to drag Boyfie to the nearest Boostjuice to detoxify...HOW DO YOU DETOX???

By getting their WHEATGRASS shot of course...Boyfie geli cos' the smell of rumput was overwhelming...

Nyummmsss...RUMPUT goodness...hahahah

Errrr....wanna try sum?

 Offered Boyfie a sip...

Boyfie : I'D RATHER EAT MY OWN S***T
Moi'    :  -________________-    ...Point taken...

Bottoms' up!

Perrrghhhh...a slice of orange to counter the delicious rumput flavour

Hihihihhi

Nasib baik laaaar dah ada bopren. With this picture, confirm SAHAM JATUH!!!! HAHAHAH...

Hope your Syawal was as good, if not better, than mine!

Muslims begin fasting on Saturday - Nation | The Star Online

Alhamdulillah Ramadhan will begin this Saturday. I hope all of you have made the necessary preparations for puasa. Mentally and physically to abstain and refrain...and be patient of course. For those yang agak-agak akan still be on the road on the way back for berbuka, pack some kurma so that you can break your fast in the car. Weekdays will be busy for most so freeze-pack your lauk in advance untuk menyenangkan berbuka. Also, be safe in purchasing food from Ramadhan stalls. Happy bertarawikh and banyak-banyakkan amalan di bulan mulia ini.

Muslims begin fasting on Saturday - Nation | The Star Online

I wish you all Selamat Berpuasa.

Cheeky kitty learns to float

My first swimming session was awesome!!! Ended the night with a cup of vico...blissss...

Warm and fuzzy feeling...

Doc's Review 12 June 2012

Today was the day I had my doctor's review and an MRI to see how the PRP had panned out.

Alhamdulillah, it was a good one. My ankle has healed well though not completely. Now is the time for intensive healing. Intensive physiotherapy, no jumping and excessive movements or exercises, recommended to take up swimming and cycling in the gym. For now, I am to continue wearing the ankle support and gradually walk without the cane...WITH CARE. Doc gave a time range of roughly another 3 months whereby he foresees I'll be able to walk without one...and till end year whereby I can be fully confident in walking again. To achieve 100% will take a longer time.

While delivering the results, Doc did manage to scare me at one point by stating that the healing time for people is very much subjective and varies from one another. Bear in mind that I injured my ankle which is a weight-bearing area. Some with similar cases of severe tears to the ligaments to weight bearing areas never recovered fully and are still dependant on a cane to walk. 

Sileeenceeeee....chirp..chirp...chirppp...("EFFIN HELL! I DON"T WANT THAT!)

"What should I do? I do some of the exercises taught at home and attend physio once a week. I know I'm supposed to go for physio three times a week but I can't afford to take too much time-off from work"

"Continue with your exercises at home, go for your physio, lose weight and all the more you should invest in a good bike and put it in front of the TV. Best of all, this is a good time to take up swimming. It can facilitate the healing process."

Okay,I've googled for nearby swimming classes but nothing credible turned up. Any recommendations peeps? Preferably one that can fit with my weekday schedule and nearby to my workplace or kota damansara? And one that is not too costly?

The Check-up before the Green Light

From my last PRP session, Doc indicated he will let me go to work on the 16th. So, today, before starting my first day back at work next week, Doc wanted to do one more round of check up before officially letting me out of the coral so to speak.

" You have plantar fasciitis"
" Say what now??? Planta inflatia?"
" It's basically an inflammation to the bottom of the foot. You need an injection"
" What happens if I don't get the injection? Doc, I swear my whole right leg has developed spider senses whenever you come near my kaki. My bulu roma semua naik with the near mention of injections...Trauma tau...TRAUMAAA"
" Hahah...trust me Jannah" (pat pat on my head)..." You'll feel better after this. It won't be so painful. Plus, I'll give you some local anesthetics. Saras...hold her hand"
"Saras, you jangan senyum-senyum. I takut nih"
Saras, the nurse, trying very hard not to laugh...

So, I got the injection. One shot to the sole of my foot. Not as bad as the PRP. Still slightly painful none the less.

Before going off for my physio, Doc strictly reminded me to make sure I wear my ankle support, crutches and bring the letter for the Bank admin on my current necessities to be arranged for my comeback next week.

*Pictures of my foot post the injection and me going through my strengthening exercises will be uploaded as soon as I find my phone cable*

PRP Treatment_Round 5- FINAL

Alhamdulillah, today was the last round of PRP. No more screaming and crying from the horrid jabs. The next step is to do some strength training in my physio sessions beginning this Thursday.


"OF ALL ROUNDS, YOU JUST HAD TO BITE MY HAND TODAY???!!!"

"Weeeeelll, your hand was near my mouth..." (Sorry Boyfie) *Sure he was exaggerating. Besides, just see it as gigitan manja dari kasih sayang you okies?*

Picture courtesy of Google Search

Doc says I will be able to go to work in two weeks. Can't wait. Doc was also kind enough to write me a letter to my HR/Security on parking arrangements. It's not a problem for me to park at the designated staff parking but to get on the van that takes us to HQ would be impossible. If my company can assist with nearby parking it would help as I will be on crutches for the next four months.

Boyfie voiced his observation that my right foot has shrunk. It's common because of lack of movement and usage, the muscles kecut hence the need for physio for strength training.

My foot swells more everytime after my PRP rounds...adding to the pain

The next appointment to see the Doc is Thursday. He wants to see my progress before I go off for work.

Scared Kitty...

Tomorrow will be my fifth and Insyaallah final PRP Round. If mampu, Insyaallah nak puasa Rabu onwards as tanda syukur I have finished my PRP rounds and as doa cepat sembuh.

I hate these feelings the night before the treatment...HAIZZZZZZ...

Picture courtesy of Google Search

PRP Treatment_Round 4

Apologies for the late posting...I had my fourth PRP treatment last Tuesday, 27 December 2011. OMG, as usual...PAINFUL AS HELL!!! Again, I ended up crying...Boyfie was awesome sticking by me in the room. The Doc was awesome too...very patient...and has a very good sense of humour...he always manages to make me laugh after every painful ordeal.

You would think that by now I am used to the pain and can handle it better. Well, let me pose this question..specifically to men reading my current posting...If I kick you in the balls for the first time, and then I kick you again in the family jewels for the second time, are you saying that you can handle the pain better??? I think NOTTTT!!!!

One more round to go...NEXT TUESDAY, 3 January 2012. Even after the last round, I will still need to be on crutches.

PRP Treatment_Round 3

Round 3 of the treatment is done, Alhamdulillah. Two more rounds to go. Doc says even after the final PRP procedure, it will take some time to heal. So, please, bear with my limited movement for awhile. The swelling and pain are still there, but clinically, the condition of my ankle has improved.

About going back to work, maybe in a few weeks time will I only be allowed to do so. According to doc, total at least 6 weeks off work! Yikkkesss!!! Even then, I would have to be dependent on crutches. At least 4 -6 months, no high heels. Come this Wednesday, I will be using another type of ankle support to facilitate the healing process.

In the meantime, I am bored at home. Slowly organising things at home, blogging, reading books, watching TV, spending more quality time with my lovely cats and recently, started to scheme some clever ways to torment a certain black and white stray tabby that keeps coming into the house compound and creating a ruckus among my kitties who are inside. Jaga YOU!!! I am gonna have a bucket of water near the window (not too heavy of course since I shouldn't be carrying heavy stuff) and simbah kat you!!! Tadi shuh shuh pun continue peeing at the front porch. GGGGrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

I do realise the pic depicts a black cat but I couldn't find one of a black and white tabby annoying me for fun

Picture courtesy of Memebase.com

Flats for work wear? Dah lar nanti kena pakai kaki sebelah ajer. I've worn flats to work before...they're OK but I still like my sexy high heels...

PRP Treatment_Round 2

Just had my second round of PRP injections this morning. The pain on my ankle has definitely lessened and my ankle is not as tender as before. Also, I managed the pain better this time. No screaming this time round due to a few minutes of meditation time and my request for Boyfie to cup my mouth the moment the doc was near the bed. The 400g of Celebrax before the treatment also was a life-saver.

I haven't been updating anything in my blog due to my on and off fever. Glad doc confirmed that it has nothing to do with the PRP procedure as he doesn't see any infection or inflammation to my foot. Phewwwhhh...

Again, Boyfie accompanied me to the appointment. He's already at the stage of threatening to kick my crutches and stepping on my injured foot if I ever stress him out....Argghhh, I am sooo000 gonna get him after all this PRP rounds are over!!!

Three more rounds to go...counting the days where I can properly go on dates with Boyfie, go to work, meet my friends and most importantly....my shoe shopping...missing my sexy heels...

p.s. The nurse and Customer Service at Tropicana Medical Centre, Kota Damansara are showing their negligence on a certain matter. Totally peeved me out and added to my morning stress of having to deal with such trivial matter but with big consequences. My question to them is that how come with the many number of staff you have stationed at that counter on the first floor, you could have neglected my request which I made 10 days ago. Your physio department had no issues and everything is a breeze whenever I come over to attend the physio sessions. Please buck up! Don't add to your patient's stress in having to deal with such matters. Is bad enough that they have to go through the pain and effort to get well.

Scream Queen? Moi'???

Having boyfie accompany me to yesterday's first of five PRP treatments was a god-sent. Don't think I could have managed it alone.

However, as of this morning, he has dubbed me his "Scream Queen". Say whaaaaa...???

So out of curiosity (and also due to the fact that I now have tonnes of time at home and not being able to do much housework), I wiki'd "Scream Queen". Hahah...Below are some interesting facts about "Scream Queens":

• A scream queen is an actress who has become associated with horror films, either through an appearance in a notably entry in the genre as a frequent victim or through constant appearances as the female protagonist. Fay Wray is noted as the first scream queen, while Jamie Lee Curtis is notes as a woman who helped revive the scream queen title with her performance in the popular slasher film Halloween.
• The term "scream queen" is more specifically used to refer to the "attractive young damsels-in-distress" characters that have appeared in a number of films in the horror genre. However, experts in the industry have changed this sort of mindset and define a scream queen beyond your typical attractive damsels. In gist, they must have a brain, deliver a memorable and impactful performance and worry about something other than a guy...unless said guy is trying to kill them.
• Historically, the use of women in horror films dates back to the silent era with films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922).

Janet Leigh with her iconic performance in Psycho

Astaghfirullah...PRP_Treatment Round 1

Honestly, I did not expect so much pain. Felt like stones or steel being injected into my ankle. Now, I think I can have a sense of what Wolverine went through when the adamantium was injected into his body...hahah...

Home now. Resting downstairs, in front of the TV. Tadi nak gi toilet, kena ngengsot naik atas. Teringat dek Arwah Nenek I.

Four more rounds of treatment to go....

Missing the gym...

It's bad enough that my doc has told me to lay off the gym for four months...there goes my three month aim...and now I'm worried how fat I'll be by end of the year. I can feel I've become more soft and squishy with all this non-walking around etc...slowly turning into michelin-man or michelin-lady...

Missing my 30 minute circuit...Missing the feeling of completing two laps of the machines and exercise boards...I miss my Curves...