811 Canada

When Missy Moo was sick last week – well, she still has cramps today – our family doctor told Mr Moo to call 811, should we need any advice in the middle of the night because this health line is manned by registered nurse.  I had asked Mr Moo to call once last week – but according to him – the nurse told him the child had to be with him to be able to access the situation.  Not as helpful as I thought they might be – but i wasn’t deterred like with my  fat burners and tried again – when Missy Moo puked like the Merlion last nite.

I’m pleased to report that the nurse online was really nice and gave me some very sound advice.  So anyone in Nova Scotia and needs medication advice – instead of going to the emergency immediately – you may want to try that first.  I called at about midnite and the nurse picked up my call immediately -so it’s better than waiting for 8hrs to see the doctor to be told to wait it out eh.

Gas aka Wind In Kids

Missy Moo had a stomach flu for a few days now -  and today was the first day she didn’t puke – but her tummy still has cramps and i strongly believed that it’s wind aka gas.  She doesn’t like taking ginger or shallot in her food as recommended by some friends and it suddenly dawn on me that an age old remedy may actually help with the gas in her tummy.  Don’t forget the doctors do not recommend anything for gas for kids her age.  So while out looking for  cheap auto insurance we headed out to a local store in town – to ask if the store owner had any Yu Yee oil.   I remember when i was a kid – my mother used to put this on us after we bath – i am so regretting it now that I didn’t do this for Missy Moo when she was a kid – that way – we wouldn’t be afraid that she doesn’t like the smell.   So parents – if you have any food or age old remedy from home or your grandparents make sure you use it on them when they are young – that way they wouldn’t give you an attitude when they are Missy Moo’s age.

Viral Infection

So we brought Missy Moo to see the family doctor this time because she was still puking today.  Remember the Stomach flu she had since Saturday – yes ! that stubborn one – it still didn’t wanna go!  darn!  and i’m not getting any sleep – i tell yer from all the puking and worrying about Missy Moo.  I am gonna need some eye creams that really work this time because i’ve got eye luggages and not just eye bags now.

So what did the doctor said ?  it’s a viral infection – so there is really nothing they can give her and to let it run it’s course she said.  I hear yer!  but it sure is hard to see her puke and go into those awful, awful cramps!  and she is so hungry but everytime she tries and eat – she just puke and puke.  So what can we do ?  helpless ?  yes ! definitely and just pray.

Stomach Bug

So Missy Moo was puking last nite and had lots of tummy cramp – we thought it was food poisoning at first – can’t blame us – never had a stomach flu before  – unlike my age spot that i’ve seen on my mom all the time when i was growing up – so i knew what it was immediately when i first started seeing them.

Anyhow – we headed to the emergency – at the hospital – when she didn’t seems any better the next day to be told that we just have to let it runs it course – *slap forehead*!  yes! and let my kid be in pain.  Seriously, i don’t understand it – and i am at times infuriated because when I am back home – i cannot remember a time whereby we did not get any medication from our family doctor.  It wasn’t too bad tonite at the emergency room – we were in and out within an hour but normally – it would have taken much, much longer.  And to think that if we had waited like 8 hrs to be told that – now ppl can kill.  I long to go home – because of medical care here – even if it was free – so what? what is good when your doctor’s office tells you to google it – or in this case – to let your kid be in pain till it stops.  Frustrating!

Eye Check Up For Diabetics

So i finally made it up to the city yesterday for my second opinion from another specialist – about my eye – it was at the VG in the city.  It always feels good to visit the hospital up in the city – even the outdoor rugs looked prestigious.

Anyhow – the wait was like an hour and the eye specialist must be a german  – he was pretty nice.. i do liked him – very professional and got to the eyes immediately – although pretty uncomfy even though my eyes were dilated but the bright light really can kill!

The eye specialist doesn’t think i need to do anything as of yet.. even though – there are some broken blood vessels but he said it can be due to my high blood pressure too.  Mr Moo had joked later that day – that we shouldn’t take the saying ” pop your eyes out – because of being so angry” lightly at all from now on – hahah!!  Anyhow – i was told to follow up with my own eye doctor back home every 8 months – in the meantime – i better go for another blood test soon – it’s overdue again – what’s new right?

Eye Specialist For Diabetics

As a diabetic – one needs to know that the your eye sight may deteriorate more than the normal person in a more faster pace.  Therefore, when i found out that i was diabetic, i requested to see an eye specialist – which my ex – family doctor conveniently did not mention at all. But he didn`t fail to tell me that everything will go – or rather come together with being a diabetic – so kind of him – NOT!  while the spouse recommended we buy a  LCD HDTV because hearsay, it`s good for the eye.

Anyhow, it was true my family doctor from home that i learned that i needed to see an eye doctor yearly -people who have diabetes are at a higher risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, in which fluctuating blood glucose levels slowly damage the retina. A rapid change in your vision can often be a first sign of diabetes. Plus, blurred vision is a potential complication of the disease. So i did last year and he wanted a second opinion on my eye – so i had no choice but to go.  After so many set backs – i am finally able to make it up to the city to get my second opinion – but that will be another story for another day.  The reason why I am writing – is because I want those with diabetes to know that they need to see an eye specialist yearly.  So don`t forget now!

Dental Care In Canada

Missy Moo just went for her yearly dental appointment – and yes – in Canada – dental care is free right up till when they are 10 yrs old from what i understand.  And even though it used to be twice a year you can see the dentist for free – it’s only once a year now.    So they did make another appt for Missy Moo for next year but i called them up and made it for 6 months – we will pay the difference of $63 – afterall, it is important to take care of their teeth eh – when they are young – it’s like going for a quick trim every 3 weeks for me.

It’s really crazy i think even though Canada has this Universal health plan – but not dental plan for the adults – so if I were you and in Canada – i’ll definitely asked my kid to become a dentist – i mean everyone needs a dentist every now and then eh – so even if you don’t make it rich – you will still comfortable in this profession.

Skin Abscesses aka Boil

So i had to rush and make an appt to see my family doctor this morning – and a good thing – because  usually when i get a pimple on my groin – it’s goes away quickly but this time after doing my  ab workouts and others like aerobics – for the last few days – the growth was not the usual one that I had before.  When it started to look red and inflamed i told myself not to fool around and see the doctor really soon.   But honestly – who likes to show their groin to the doctor unless absolutely necessary right?

So i had to psyche myself this morning – that I had been in a unsightly position with the doctors here when i had my hysterectomy and having my Missy Moo – so why should i be shy about it right?  afterall, it’s not that the doctor hasn’t seen groins before – they see it everyday.  Anyhow, it was a good thing I went to see them – because being a diabetic – i need to really be careful – so i got in to see the doctor – albeit a training one at 10.30am and only got out at noon.

So what did they do – they stuck a needle into my skin abscesses and drained the pus out without any anesthetic  - yup! you heard right – it wasn’t that bad – but they didn’t really give me anything to clean up or to dry up the blood and all.  I’m waiting for the culture to come back before any anti-biotics but i have to say that i feel better just seeing the doctor to make sure i wasn’t gonna lose some piece of my body – hahha!

Missy Moo & Her Cough & Colds

I swear I feel bad for Missy Moo because of the nature of our work – we are out in the open so much – she gets to meet all the healthy as well as the sick customers at our store – it makes it hard to keep her healthy for long.  So once again – she is having a cold and coughing her lungs out – she is a trooper that one but we feel absolutely bad that she caught something again – when she had finally recovered from the long winter cough and cold for the last few months. Anyhow, time to take steps to build up her immune system with not only more nutrients in her diet but more vitamins to help boost her health too.   I can’t wait for the summer to come – she is usually not so sick during the hotter weather.

Aging Gracefully

At 45 – one wonders if one can age gracefully in the West – had i been back home – i would say no problem – but over here – crash diets that work is what i constantly look for.  I’m not used to the facials and hair treatments here therefore, I seriously wonder if i can age gracefully without the help of these wonderful hair stylist and estheticians that I am so used to before. Plus my idea of aging gracefully, certainly isn’t going under the knife – but each time i looked at the car mirror while waiting for the spouse to run his errands – i tell him i need a face lift – hahahah!!   So how do one preserved – or somewhat try to – look youthful – despite the fact that the body isn’t obeying you no more?

Exercise, exercise and exercise – is what one who is aging – must do – and do not be afraid to see a doctor – if you don’t feel so well – or if you find that you are always tired.  But in the meantime, I hear retinolds, and AHAs Acid can help with some antioxidants.  But I think by eating right and exercising would most definitely boost one egos when you are energetic – so here I am – hitting the gym again. Wish me luck eh.

Carb Expert

I have become some sort of Carb expert these days – why ? because there are lots of misconception about what you can eat and what you cannot eat as a diabetic.  I was with my  term life insurance agent for lunch – when she told me i shouldn’t be having any candies whatsoever – hahah!   I hear this so often – and I know that people don’t even know that it’s not just the sugar but Carbs are just as bad. Bread, cereal, pasta and potatoes are carbs but having said all the above – there are the good carbs that people like us can take.

What makes a good carb? A concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fiber — nutrient-dense foods that help you avoid empty calories. Often, similar-size servings of two carb-containing foods have about the same amounts of calories and carbohydrate, but one may be a better choice nutrition wise. For example, 1/2 cup of orange juice with pulp (fiber) and enhanced with calcium offers more nutrition than 1/2 cup of orange drink, which gets most of its calories from added corn syrup.  So – there you have it – choose the good carb and eat everything in moderation.