Archive for the ‘Health’ Category
Keep Cold Away
The kid is down with a cold again! and now it’s almost like she gets over one and another one comes the following week. They are not bad cold but she gets really grouchy and fussy all the time. Now if I was home in Asia – I could go to a chinese medicinal shop and asked the chinese doctors for recommendation how to keep the cold away or I would be bowling a lot of chinese soup to keep Missy Moo healthy but being in Canada with no chinese ingredients – there is no way I can get those here. Terrible! terrible ! i know it!
So how do one keep the cold away? I hear that taking Vitamin C is something one should take everyday – to keep the cold away – so I’m going to try and get her some Vit C tablets from now on as Orange juice causes lots of phlegm. There are some food I was told I could try and I wonder if it is because Missy Moo wouldn’t eat certain things that is causing her immune system to be down – but having said that – a parent of Missy Moo’s class was just saying how her kid was sick from another kid in school. She eats yogurts, fruits but not veggies and some food like oats and wheat and not much meat. So Vit C it is – for this lil’ brat of mine.
The Healthy Grocery Run
Many a times we go grocery shopping and spend so much money on our grocery run and then wonder why it doesn’t seems like we have the right food or enough food for the week? most likely it’s because we went to the grocery at the wrong time – meaning – at a time when we are either in a hurry or too hungry. So the next time you want to go for a healthy grocery run – or a fruitful one – go when you are not hungry and go when you are not in a hurry. Best to go when the kids are not in tour – harder to shop and slower to shop with kids.
Kids Dealing With Death
It has been a month now – since the death of my mother-in-law and Missy Moo is still grieving in her own way. Every day she asked why did grammie have to die or go. It’s really sad and hard to see her sad too and all the questions that even I cannot answer. But it is normal for Missy Moo who is 8 years old to ask question and still feel sad because is it very raw for her still plus she was quite closed to her grandmother.
So we try and comfort her as best as we can but not lie to her – like telling her that she would be back or that God needed an angel up there. We tell her that we really don’t know why she was called back home – but we want to think that she is in a better place. Missy Moo had argued with me – how could she be in a better place especially when she didn’t even say goodbye or that she misses her so much and that she wouldn’t be able to do this and that with her. You see kids are really smart and we have to really be careful of what we tell them because if it is not logical – she would definitely question it and it would make her upset because it’s puzzling enough for her now.
We know it is going to take a lot of time to heal and we all have to be patient.
Dealing With Death The Kid’s Way
This is how Missy Moo is dealing with the death of her Grammie – being 8 yrs old is hard. I don’t even remember my grandmother when she died nor was I that closed to mine when she passed away when I was 9 yrs old and I was older than Missy Moo. So Missy Moo writes to her grandmother although she never asked us to send it out for her – she feels or thinks that her grammie can read it from heaven. But it’s touching and Missy Moo drew first for her grandmother and now gradually started to write letters for her grandmother. We certainly encouraged it and we think it’s a healthy way to express herself rather than to keep it inside herself.
Keeping Those Fat Away
My brother-in-law used to put on weight in the winter and lose all of it in the summer – all because he does a lot of work outdoors while in the winter – he stays indoors all the time. This year – he brought his welding equipment indoors and continued working indoors therefore, he is keeping the fat away this winter. Plus, he also stopped drinking and that kept him really lean this year. It’s amazing to see him so fit in the winter – so if I were you – I would be making the spouse work on his welding equipment even in the winter. Well, not necessary I guess – it only means that you have to keep busy in the winter and even if you cannot be out doing power walking – you can always do something indoors.
Snack More To Lose Weight
WHAT ! I hear you shouting out – haha! but it’s true – and I’ve done a wee bit of research on it myself. I think the main reason why they are saying that more snacking can help one lose weight is because firstly you won’t overeat and secondly by snacking regularly – you give your body a chance to digest the food and thus making it not overwork and work better?
Of course, we are not asking you to eat just about anything and everything during snack time – eat wisely and choose the things you snack on. So if you feel like eating every 2 to 3 hrs, don’t be ashamed of it at all. I know of some people who would make fun of you and asked you if you ever stop eating – so just ignore the tease – for you are being kind to your body. It is said that you should not be snacking between breakfast and lunch especially if your breakfast is 9am and lunch is 12 noon. And snacking means small portion – one must not eat a huge portion of food, fruits or snack during snack time – snack time means small portion.
When one is eating a snack – one should be eating them slowly and not just shoved everything down into your throat within 10 seconds. Chew your snack – take your time and eat when you are not hungry – and always know what you are planning to snack on.
Taking Up A Hobby
As you all know – we’ve recently lost my mother-in-law, so to keep my father-in-law busy and his mind off grieving – we’ve told him about these cigar auction sites that he can look at as a hobby since he loves the cigar a lot. He never used to smoke them a lot because my mother in law gets a headache from the smell – but now that she is not around – I guess it is no harm getting some for himself. With this cigar auction, he can watch it – and bid for the ones he likes or wants to try. A good hobby to take up and he can once again start having a collection of good cigar to share and show when friends and relative visits from afar.
Helping Kids Get Through Grieving
It was our main worry when my mother-in-law got sick a few weeks ago – was Missy Moo. Missy Moo is only 8 years old – we worried how she would handle losing her grandmother at such an age – especially since she and my mother-in-law was pretty closed. I too grieve because of all the things my mother-in-law isn’t going to experience with her only grandchild and even though I’m not closed to my mother-in-law – I still have feelings for her – since I’ve been here for almost 13 years now.
To help Missy Moo deal with losing her grandmother – we had actually started preparing her when my mother-in-law was in the hospital. When she got worst and the doctor had announced that my mother-in-law was just waiting for her time – we told Missy Moo the truth about her condition and that we didn’t think Grammie was going to make it. When my mother-in-law didn’t wake up from her sleep even though she was alive – we told Missy Moo to say goodbye and to tell her grammie that she will be alright. I think by doing all the above – we’ve helped her to understand and to let go a little.
When my mother-in-law passed away – Missy Moo did cry – but we comforted her and told her that she was in heaven and that she will always have us. But Missy Moo started asking questions like how old we were and how old her grampie was – I think it is to gauge – when we too would die. So we re-assured her that we ain’t dying anytime soon. Of course, we don’t know that but for an 8 yrs old – it can be very frightening to lose a loved one – and the idea of losing anyone else.
We also informed the school, Missy Moo’s teachers and friends about Missy Moo’s recent lost – that way they will be more sensitive towards Missy Moo’s emotional state. The school also helped us – with loaning us some library books to read with Missy Moo and for us to read. Plus the hospital – Dr Leahey was very kind to Missy Moo and recommended a grieve counselor for Missy Moo.
Relaxation
Taking time for yourself and the family is one thing that we have to learn to do in our daily life. Everyone has 24 hrs a day – so when I tell people that I envy them for having time on hand to do stuff with family – that only means that I have to take time to do stuff with them. We had recently bought a folding patio table in time for spring – so that the entire family can enjoy each other a bit more than previous years in the backyard or even at the beach. No more excuses for not relaxing and taking time to do things with the family.Taking time and relaxing is a need for our health – if you loved life – loved your family – then you have to take time to relax. rejuvenate and renew.
New Maternity Ward
The new maternity ward was just moved to a new wing of the hospital and a friend working for maternity showed me around the other day. She had a new office altogether and it looked really bright and cheery with new wall switch plates to go with her open concept office but they were all painted in pink since I guess it is a maternity ward. 8 years ago when I was having Missy Moo – I don’t remember such a pretty and cozy place for moms-to-be. I remembered a very crowded room with lots of pregnant women and kids trying to get comfortable. So with this new move to another wing of the hospital – I see a lot more space – a lot more open concept and a lot more play area for kids who had to be lugged a long with their mom. In fact, I like the few new things that they had there – that I’m going steal some of their ideas and work it into the basement play room area for Missy Moo.
Cancer In Liver
Yes, apparently the enlarged liver is because the cancer had taken over the liver of my mother-in-law. 90% of her liver is covered with cancer according to both her family doctor and Dr Leahey. According to the doctors, the detection was so late wasn’t anyone’s fault – because usually you don’t feel a lot of pain where the liver is.
My mother-in-law’s condition had taken a worst turn in just a matter of days. But because they don’t think that the cancer came from the liver itself but somewhere else and spread to the liver so quickly – there is actually no way to cure her. I had asked them in a very ridiculous manner – if we were just gonna wait for my mother-in-law to die and not do anything – and they had replied a matter-of -factly that they were doing the after-care and preparing her for the end. JOY!
I learned that once you get liver cancer – the cure chances is very slim and that unless it is detected really early – not much can be done about it. There are tests to determine whether your liver is in trouble – so I’m on the ball with Mr Moo and Missy Moo from now on.
Fighting Stress With Adrenaline Rush
Some people so sky diving, some go water skiing to get that adrenaline rush but I go on a motor bike and crush around with the spouse to relieve my stress level. With his new zero gravity windscreen and when the weather is good, we go for rides in the country side or to cape forchu where the sights and scene are just so beautiful, it takes my breathe away. I loved to go for sunset rides with the spouse on his bike when the weather isn’t too cold and this winter had been so mild, I’m just so glad that we could do a lot of rides of late and I’ve noticed that my stress level isn’t so high now.
I remembered when I was young, we used to dream of holding the man of our dreams and riding into the sunset – so romantic right? and feeling so secure with him to block the wind and to take charge – I think this is exactly how I feel when I’m riding with the spouse now. For those who need the adrenaline rush to relieve your stress try riding on a motorbike with someone you trust – don’t go racing down highway at 120miles/hr.
Enlarged Liver
So we found out that the outlaw had an enlarged liver after she got admitted a few days ago – and honestly, I don’t really know where my liver is till now. And the doctor suspect that it’s cancer and not coming from the liver – it seems that her stomach and various parts of her body have masses of spots. What causes enlarged liver? and what are the cures?
Because it is the liver and not known area of the cancer, a biopsy and other test is being ordered. As of today, we still don’t know if it is cancer but the doctor was quite sure it was. Enlarged liver can caused abdominal discomfort – so those who always have tummy discomfort – please see a doctor before it’s too late to do anything like my outlaw. The situation for her seems very serious and i cannot really tell you anything till i find out more. Of course, we hope it treatable and it’s not too late. I too have some tummy discomfort and I promised myself to see a doctor soon. I hope for the best.
Swimming For Exercise
So the pool pump motors are finally fixed and/or replaced at our local health club in the hotel and I can’t wait to go back and swim every morning for my exercise. I loved swimming but haven’t swam for so long because the pool was closed for repair and they found that they had to replace the pool pump motors. And yes, I had been very lazy and haven’t done a lot of walking to replace the swimming but now that the pool is open again – I’m all for going back tomorrow morning for a work out – hopefully I don’t get tire out or get out of breath so easily – since I haven’t swam for months.
Simply For Life
Simply for life had been around town for a few years now and I’ve seen some people who’ve had success with them – but no one wants to talk a lot about it for some reason. And a customer of ours – who stopped going there – put on weight immediately, so as much as I would loved to try it out – I don’t really know what they are recommending? just healthy food with no exercises ? or healthy food with exercises ? of course, if I don’t go sit for one of their talks – I certainly wouldn’t know what they are offering or how much it is to join right? so I’m going to make an appointment this week and check it out – stay tuned.
Thank You Gifts For My Doctors
Some of my doctors are very nice here – some not so – and in all my years in Canada there had been some people in the hospital who have made my life a lot easier and encouraged me when I was having difficulty with my health issues. And because of them – I have had better control of my health now – but what do you give those doctors who have everything money can buy? I don’t really want to buy some generic thing just because – so the spouse said some cufflinks in a nice gift box would be a really nice gesture. So knowing that one of them is leaving the town to start a practice in Halifax – I decided to get him a nice cufflink as a thank you gift and hope that whenever he wears it – he will remember me.
Snacks Suitable For Diabetics
Diabetes suxs! I know and big time – and when you need a snack – you can’t eat a piece of chocolate or a piece of cookie and I can understand it. Therefore, I’m constantly searching for snacks that diabetic people like myself can eat and then post it online – so that you know that you can snack on this – without worrying too.
I saw these at Walmart one day and took a look at the ingredients and found that it had very little sugar in the packet of cookies and about 100 calories – this definitely beats have 3 tim bits from Tim Hortons. So check it out – it was ony $2 at Walmart – and it does stop my craving to snack on something in the late morning and tide me over till lunch time.
Scrubs For My Favorite Nurses
A couple of years ago, when I had my huge operation to take out my fibroid, the nurses down at the blood transfusion center treated me really well. I’ve always kept in touch with them and each time I visit the doctors, I would drop in and say hi. Some are transferred to another department but some are still there and I say these nurses don’t get enough credit. So last Christmas, I decided to get some discount scrubs from Marcus and not just ordinary ones – some really fun looking scrubs as presents for them all. They all loved the ones with the owl print and the scrubs sells from $5.99 – so they were really worth getting for these nurses. I wished more patients would appreciate the good nurses a lot more.
Keeping Warm During Winter
My in laws work outside a lot in the winter – they owned a hundred acres land like Winnie the Pooh. From cutting down trees for wood/fireplace – they also collect maple syrup in the spring. So this Christmas, we bought him some very good quality overalls as presents because we know he will appreciate it. Overalls like the one above are great for their hunting expeditions as well. And while some people wants to keep fashionable while they are outdoors – the above overall looks rather stylish – so no worries about not looking good but if you are an outdoor person – all you should care about is keeping warm and keeping safe. It was definitely a great buy and the best present for something who wants to keep warm when working.
