Medical Update 28 June 2007

LATEST: Irene will drive granny for appointment on 3rd August....I will join her if I can make it.

2nd Aunt and I brought Granny to TTSH for X'ray today. Prof Poh mentioned that the result of her chest looks the same as the prevous one. Nothing abnormal.

Her bone scan is fixed on 3 August at 0900 hours. The bone scan at TTSH is only operating every alternate Friday and that's why the long delay as earlier slots are all taken up.

28 June 2007

Family Deity Celebration Prayer 26 June 2007

Granny is still the supreme authority when comes to family prayers. Communication in Process Granny in communication process while 2nd Aunt helps out

in food selection for the family DeityFamily Deity (extreme left)

Taoist tradition of offering food and incense paper to the Deities Gold ingots for the Deities Burning in process Plenty for the taking. Anyone can see a 4-D in the formation??

2nd in command (sister-in-law) putting the final touch
And she is the intern and will take over some day! She is the FUTURE!

Next Medical Appointment

Granny's next medical appointment is on 28th June (0930 hours) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

She needs to undergo a scan on her neck. 2nd Auntie Doris Yap and I will bring her to the hospital. I will pick them at 0845 hours at the roundabout at block 198.

Anybody free on that day, do come along. You can either meet at Boon Lay or make you own way to TTSH.

Robin

Medical Update - 22 June 2007

According to 2nd Auntie, Doris Yap, Granny will have to go back to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for a scan as her last scan was done 2005.

She trying to fix her TTSH appointment on 28th June and I will keep my morning free to fetch her as First uncle will be back in Taiwan by then.

She will then have to visit Prof Abu Rauff again to determine if operation is required.

So please if any on of you is free, do come along to keep granny companied. I am sure she will feel comforted that her grand children are taking interest in her health.

Robin

Update on Granny Medical Appointment

2nd Auntie, Irene and big Uncle brought granny to consult Dr Abu Rauff on 18th June.

Dr Abu Rauff mentioned that the growth near her colar bone is superficial and can be removed. But he is requesting for her medical report from NUH to ensure her heart can take it. As for the upper right neck nodule, it seems like an inflamation of the veins and nothing serious.

Her next appointment is 22nd June at 0945 hours at MT ELIZABETH to see Dr Abu Rauff again.

I have to attend a conference at the Tourism Academy on Friday and unable to join her to see Dr Rauff. If anyone of you is free, please contact 2nd Auntie Doris Yap to make arrangement to meet.

Thanks

GRANNY & ZONGZI 17 JUNE 2007

The Story Zongzi

There are many legends about the evolution of the festival, the most popular of which is in commemoration of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Qu Yuan was minister of the State of Chu and one of China's earliest poets. In face of great pressure from the powerful Qin State, he advocated enriching the country and strengthening its military forces so as to fight against the Qin. However, he was opposed by aristocrats headed by Zi Lan, and later deposed and exiled by King Huai. In his exiled days, he still cared much for his country and people and composed immortal poems including Li Sao (The Lament), Tian Wen (Heavenly Questions) and Jiu Ge (Nine Songs), which had far-reaching influences. In 278 BC, he heard the news that Qin troops had finally conquered Chu's capital, so he finished his last piece Huai Sha (Embracing Sand) and plunged himself into the Miluo River, clasping his arms to a large stone. The day happened to be the 5th of the 5th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. After his death, the people of Chu crowded to the bank of the river to pay their respects to him. The fishermen sailed their boats up and down the river to look for his body. People threw into the water zongzi (pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves) and eggs to divert possible fish or shrimp from attacking his body. An old doctor poured a jug of reaglar wine (Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar) into the water, hoping to turn all aquatic beasts drunk. That's why people later followed the customs such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi and drinking realgar wine on that day.

Each year Granny will insist on making Zongzi and this year is no exception. She is still as good as ever. Here are some photos of the grand old dame in action on 17 June 2007. And she hopes all future generations will not forget the good old tradition of making home made Zongzi for the festival

Wrapping
Steady pair of hands

Her finished product

Helping hands

Ingredients

And this is my version!

All done and ready for the dining table

Granny's Medical Appointments in June

Next Appointment : 18 June 2007 : 09:45 am - Mt Elizabeth (Prof Abu Rauff)

14 June 2007 : 10:00 am - Tan Tock Seng (Prof Poh Soo Chuan)

14 June medical review ( Prof Poh's view)

1. Her blood pressure - 140/80 and Prof Poh said it is okay.
2. Her blood sugar - high
3. Her heart seems normal
4. The growth on her neck near the colar bone is quite sore and sensitive. There is another nodule on her left upper neck. Prof Poh feels she should consult Prof Abu Rauff as he has all the medical records. Granny feels sharp pain occasionally and said if operation is inevitable, she will do it. However, she will consult family members.

Her medical records are not filed properly and I will do it for her on Sunday. I have prepared a file and will organise it for her. Also we should list down all the medicine she is taking and given by who. This is important for medical review and also in case of emergency.

That's all for now.