Asthma

So after so many months - Missy Moo was still all stuffed up and as if the cold never went away.  We wonder if it is because the school keeps insisting on making them go out in the cold during break time or if they are not asked or supervised to dress properly when outside playing is one of the cause of this constant cold and stuffiness.  But the Missy Moo had a follow up check up from her x-ray she took a week ago - and it had shown that she had a mild case of bronchitis but no asthma.  So we are keeping a watchful eyes on her in the meantime, we have to get some safety glasses for the father-in-law who works a lot in his own workshop - but that will be another story for another day.

Burning When Peeing

So Missy Moo complained since yesterday that she felt like it was burning when she peed - like any anxious parents.. we called our family doctor to be told that since it is his last week in town - he is moving away for good, we can only take a urine sample and have the lab test it.   So we did and here i go thinking.. so i pick up the bottle tomorrow.. and then take the pee the next day, since the lab is closed by 11.30am.. and then i have to wait for the next day before i get some medication from the doctor for Missy Moo.  I wonder if i need to get some cigars online the next time i have a new doctor, so that Missy Moo don’t have to suffer this long before getting medication.

One have to take off my hats to the doctor and his secretary.  Why? one donch have kids.. and the other must be thinking.. not my kid what..  ! if you want.. bring her to the emergency room.  But with the H1N1 thing going around.. you think i wanna bring my kid there..??  *sigh* ..  you know.. for our family doctor and the secretary.. they sure don’t show a lot of compassion at all.  One can only say.. no lost for me.. and Missy Moo.  I’m totally aghast and should have known better.. afterall, the secretary asked me .. to look for Dr Google.. when my hemoglobin was so low.. and i needed to know..  what i should do.. or eat..  to keep me from dying a year and a half ago.

H1N1 & School

It’s bad enough that ppl who has the flu, cold or even the H1N1 come into our store.. without a nary of apology for being out in the public.. and spreading their germs.  If the kids don’t know any thing, it is up to you as a parent.. to keep them away from healthy kids. .and healthy folks.  You can imagine me getting  dark eye circle from worrying about it.. and worrying about sending my kid to school.

A kid from Missy Moo’s class was said to have H1N1 .. a few days ago.. but today i read on her FB.. that she is sending him back to school on Monday.. because he was bored.  *slap forehead* .. so to send Missy Moo to school or not..?? Really at a dilemma because if I don’t send her.. she would be bored at the store.. but if i send her.. i’m exposing her to all sorts of germs.  Tough being a mother eh. … and for those whose children has H1N1 .. DON’T SEND YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL..  NO MATTER HOW BAD YOU ARE FEELING YOURSELF..!

Mono

So Missy Moo’s babysitter has mono for the last few weeks.  A check with our family doctor to see if we can have her back to work anytime soon, since she did call back after 2 weeks of MIA.  Well, her mother called for her after the 2 Saturday that she went sick - so we wanted to be sure - that Missy Moo won’t be infected since we all know that it is highly contagious.

The doctor’s office said that Missy Moo’s babysitter will be feeling really lethargic and is not really at risk after the 3rd week.  But because Mono does take a toll on the person’s health - we decided to let the babysitter rest more - so she doesn’t get a relapse.  Plus we were very lucky .. that Missy Moo didn’t get mono from the babysitter - because Missy Moo loves to smooch the babysitter - which I had stopped her many a times.  Thank God.. is all i can say - had Missy Moo been infected.. i’m sure .. she would be in a more terrible position than the babysitter.

So what is mono..??   Mono is caused by a specific virus called the Epstein-Barr virus. Its mode of transmission is probably by saliva. The virus is highly contagious but roommates or family members are unlikely to develop Mono unless there is close contact. The incubation period (time from contact with the virus until sickness begins) averages 25 days. Once an individual has Mono, generally there is permanent protection against having Mono again.

How long will someone who has mono be sick..?? It is very unpredictable. It will depend on the severity of the disease that may vary with individuals. If you have fever, sore throat, fatigue, or other problems, it may be necessary for you to be in bed. With good care, you should be up and around in 1 - 2 weeks. Generally speaking, the healthier your lifestyle, the shorter the duration of the illness.

It is advisable to get plenty of rest in the early stages of the disease. Your rate of recovery will depend on your psychological state. Strongly motivated persons will probably return to their normal activity more rapidly than depressed persons.

Fatigue is another matter. A few people have little to no fatigue. Others may be tired for 1 - 4 weeks gradually recovering their full strength and energy. Fatigue is NOT the cause of Mono, but the result.

When your liver or spleen is enlarged, you must be careful not to allow any blow to the chest or abdomen as this may cause damage to these organs.

Mono can be TREATED, not cured. Increased rest, and an analgesic to decrease the fever and muscle aches are the traditional methods of treating Mono. Some cases of Mono are complicated by streptococcal throat infections and may require antibiotic treatment.

Swine Flu

So what do i know about Swine flu right..??  but everyone is talking about it.. and everyone is afraid of it - well, almost everyone.  And Missy Moo being in school and all, one cannot but be afraid.. that she might catch something from her friends who are less informed about the swine flu.

Can it kill..??  I’ve listened so much to the radio.. and death toll reported in this part of Canada.. I thought we should call our public nurse .. and pick her brains.   Just so you all know .. the vaccine is not here yet - there was not much she could tell us yet but she was very helpful.  And if you are asthmatic, you automatically qualify for the vaccine.

How bad is swine flu, really?  In many ways, it’s really not that different from seasonal flu, experts say. But there are some important distinctions.

It’s natural to feel a little anxious, if not downright panicky, about the possibility of you or a family member catching the swine flu. But before you worry about worst-case scenarios, let’s put some things in perspective. The fact is, seasonal flu — the kind that circulates every fall and winter, year after year — kills 30,000 to 40,000 people. We just don’t read about every single hospitalization or complication in the news. In comparison, current government predictions are calling for anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 swine flu-related deaths this fall. That may sound like a lot, but keep in mind that it’s out of hundreds of millions of potential infections — meaning that even as a worst-case scenario, only a small percentage of the US population would get seriously sick.

Is the swine flu really like the seasonal flu..??

So far, swine flu doesn’t seem to be more virulent than seasonal flu (symptoms are largely the same), but it is slightly more contagious. According to a new study from Cornell University, every person infected with swine flu puts 1.5 other people at risk in the few days before they themselves experience symptoms. With seasonal flu, that number is about 1.3.

Part of the reason why swine flu is more transmissible is that most people don’t have any immunity to it, unlike other seasonal flu strains, to which we may have been exposed before (this gives our immune system a leg up in fighting off the virus).

Does the swine flu only affect those old and unhealthy individuals..??

Unlike seasonal flu, which has the most serious health effects in people older than 65, with swine flu incidences so far, 75% of serious cases and 60% of deaths have occurred in people younger than 49, according to recent CDC data. But some experts believe that it’s not so much that young people are more vulnerable, it’s that older adults are less at risk. About one-third of adults over age 60 have some kind of pre-existing immunity to the H1N1 strain, according to CDC data. (There were likely strains similar to the current swine flu circulating when they were children).

What this means for you: Unless you have a chronic condition that’s shown to increase complications of swine flu (pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney, or liver disease), you’ll likely battle the flu and come out just fine, says Allison Aiello, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. But that doesn’t mean you should blow off preventive measures. No matter what your age, be a vigilant handwasher and instill the habit in your kids. Get vaccinated for swine flu if you’re eligible (as well as for seasonal flu). Avoid people who are sick if you can. And pay attention to symptoms (most commonly fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, sneezing, muscle aches, fatigue/exhaustion — and in some cases, diarrhea, headache, and a stiff neck). If you feel sick, don’t be a warrior. Stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids to help ensure that your body fights off the flu instead of developing complications.

More answers later.

Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist

So Missy Moo went for her ENT specialist appt today.  Surprised totally that the Doc’s office was open.. since it was a civic holiday today.  We were in and out within half an hour .. not much wait and the secretary was very nice… unlike some that we’ve met.

The doctor must be German.. and at first didn’t seems to very happy that Missy Moo didn’t wanna cooperate.  But that’s to be expected right..?? because this was a new doctor.. and she was afraid.. and didn’t know .. what to think of him.   But after the examination and all.. he seems to be nicer.. and Missy Moo seems to have calmed down then.

The final result of the examination .. was pretty good.. no infection of any kind.. so no taking out the tonsils.. he thinks it’s viral.. and he would see Missy Moo again in 6 months.  So that was the end of that fear i had been having for a week now.. or since we got the appt for Missy Moo.  As parents… it’s really hard not to worry about our kid.. but fear must not stop us from finding out the truth quickly.. and nip the problem at its bud eh.

ENT Specialist

So Missy Moo saw her family doctor with swollen tonsils and she didn’t sleep well for 3 nites in total.  As expected..  he wasn’t gonna give her any medication - surprise !! surprise..!!  NOT! He wants her to see an ENT Specialist and guess what..?? the one and only that we have here in Y-town  - is said to be meant.. and very busy.  They called today.. and Missy Moo’s appt is in NOVEMBER!!!!!  yes .. NOVEMBER..!!!!  crazy or what..??  no medication.. !!! and now the ENT doc only available 3 months from now.  So my kid gotta suffer lah..??  Wait .. let me get some Naot sandals and run home .. i think that would be faster.. !! and i’m talking about running home to Asia..!!!

Swelling Throat Glands

Missy Moo’s throat had been swelling for a few days.. but knowing that her doctor wouldn’t give her anything ..  if it just started.. we decided to wait for a few days to see if it was gonna calm itself down.. but we highly doubt it.  This morning.. she was clearing her throat incessantly during breakfast.. and as i suspected.. it had grown even bigger.. and redder.  So we called the doctor’s office.. and made an appt to see him.  They are yet to come back from the doctor’s .. and lets see what he would give her this time.

Not Psychic

Missy Moo had hives yesterday and since it was a holiday, we ran into the emergency room because Benadryl didn’t help.  Today, her tongue swelled up at 4.30pm.. and we called the family doctor immediately.  In which the secretary replied that had we called in the morning .. she could have fit us in.  He was seeing his last patient and cannot wait for us for 10 mins.  That was really helpful !  NOT !  If we were psychic, well, you can see us making the appt in the morning.. but since we are not we could not predict she was gonna be ill at 4.30pm.

So we ended up in the emergency room again.. and waited for 3 hrs.. while Missy Moo suffered.  Firstly, ppl who have no kids.. do not understand the anxiety .. we have to go thru’ when a child is ill.  Surely, OUR family doctor can wait for us for 10mins.. instead of making a 5.5yrs old suffer the way my kid did..??  Pissed..??  and understatement ..!!  and if i ever leave this country.. i’ve said this many times.. and i’m saying it again..  it’s the medical system here.. the lack of doctors.  If we were home.. this would never have happened.

Antibiotics Finally

So Missy Moo came down with a fever yesterday.. and we had to rush her into the doctor’s again in the morning.  Luckily, we own our own business.. had we been working for someone.. what would my boss think…??  I wished that she had her anti-biotics on Monday.. but nope.. we had to be inconvenienced.  I really pity those who have bosses to answer to - obviously .. the bosses ain’t gonna be too, too happy.

Missy Moo Is Sick

We rushed Missy Moo to the doctor’s this afternoon. .coz’ her throat looks horrid.. swollen .. and red.  The doctor didn’t give any medication .. but took a swap on her throat.. to make sure it wasn’t strep throat.  And in the meantime.. told Missy Moo that is she didn’t open her mouth.. he was gonna pinch her.. *slap forehead*.  I know for sure.. he meant it as a joke.. but really not appropriate .. donch you think..??  what a way to speak to a child.. when she is already in fear.

Sun Protection

So the summer is here .. well almost and most of us don’t know about sun protection .. and what sunscreen is all about… and how important they are.   Having Missy Moo taught me something.. and that is to be very alert about everything that might not be good for her health.

As a mum, i’ve often wonder about sunscreens .. and if all sunscreens are the same..??  I’m sure you wondered about that at one point in your life .. especially knowing that you need to put sunscreen on your kids.  My friend who has mesothelioma told me this - not all protection are the same.  Some protects only partially and filters partially for different UV ray.  The choice and combination of filters are extremely important.  The SPF mainly indicates the UVB protection level.  Choose an anti - UVA-UVB photostable protection.

Being Cautious As Parents

As parents .. one cannot be too careful.. nor slack about the kids.  Afterall, they are kids.. and they don’t know any better.  But if you sense that something is not right.. the right thing to do.. is to see a doctor.. and eliminate all your paranioa.

When Missy Moo was younger.. i never leave anything to chance.  As soon as I sense something isn’t right..   out the door we are .. to the hospital.  Some ppl might think I am crazy.. but that’s alright.  As busy as we are.. it doesn’t matter.. if it concerns the kid..  we would closed the store.. and we go.

Just like a friend’s kid .. who took a hit real hard in the mall.. and like most parents.. we think that it might just be a bad bruise.. but a few weeks later.. they found a bump .. on the nose area.. so they quickly arranged for an x-ray.  Of course, they are good parents.. but like most of us.. we might sometimes overlook stuff.. and since children do fall and bruise themselves a lot .. we hope that it’s nothing but a bruise.. but as parents.. we cannot be too careful.  No one will blame you if you are too careful.. but if you are careless even for once.. it might cost the life of your child.  So parents.. be it first time.. or many times.. be cautious and go with your gut feelings.

Excessive Blinking

So Missy Moo had excessive blinking of the eyes .. and it gets worst.. if we remind her about it.  She is stucked on the fact that her eyes were dry.. because we had casually mentioned it.   Anyhow, it had been going on for quite sometime.. and we decided that she should visit the family doctor.  His diagnosis was that it was just a annoying habit that kids have .. and it should go away on its own.  We are not to draw attention to it .. just like when your teenagers are using their cellular phones more often than you like.   For we all know that when you tell them not to..  they will do it more .. just because.

No Doctor Again..??

The rumor has it .. that the family doctor will be leaving at the end of the month for Quebec.  Well.. you see i just saw the family doctor like a few days ago.. and he made no mentioned of it.  But today.. 2 person already came in to talk about it.  So Mr Moo called and asked the secretary if it was true - the secretary confirmed that it wasn’t .. and she had been hearing this rumor since a year ago.  So it was good.. and kinda a relieve .. for me anyways.. because Missy Moo was just starting to love her family doctor.. and has no fear .. in visiting him.

Local Honey

I hear that by eating one or two teaspoons of lcally grown honey before allergy season starts can help firght your seasonal sniffles..??  Local bees collect pollen from plants and the honey contains low level of pollen from these plants.  Taking it before the allergy season helps your body get used to pollen levels in advance .. thus reducing the severity .. of allergic reaction.

Green Mucus

Missy Moo’s babysitter just told me today .. that Missy Moo had green stuff coming outta her nose.. when she was clearing her nose.  Missy Moo had been sniffing for a week now.. and even though it isn’t uncommon to me.. it is actually a sinus infection.  So if it doesn’t clear up by Monday.. i’m gonna have to bring her to her family doctor.. and get her on some sort of anti-biotics.

Normally mucus is clear and thin. Its primary function is to filter air particles. When one gets an infection the mucus color often changes, from clear mucus to yellow mucus and then to green mucus. It most cases green mucus is a definite indication that one has a sinus infection. Most infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses, however 90% of sinus infections result from viruses. The best cure is your own immune system. Homeopathy and natural medicine gives your immune system the boost it needs to fight off infections and the associated viruses.

Poor Missy Moo

I feel so bad for Missy Moo.. because we haven’t had any bad colds of late.. and seems to be able to avoid it for the longest time, so we have forgotten what it is like .. to be having this cold.  Missy Moo had been having a cold every couple of weeks.. and sniffing and all.  Now that I’m having a full blown cold.. and sneezing and all.. i feel so bad.. that i didn’t realized how awful it can be.  As parents, I have to really be in her shoes.. and try my best to understand her discomfort .. when she is ill from now on.  I hear Naot shoes are good .. but I have to make sure she wants to wear it .. before i buy it for her.

The Cold

They attack you .. when you least expect them to.  Whether you are home, in some rv parks vacationing or even if you were just in some isolated island.. i swear they have a mind of their own.  I really, really recommend Vitamins C .. everyday .. and this time.. i caught a cold from Missy Moo .. because i became  .. Slacker Cow… muhahahahah!!!  Oh well.. !!! lesson learned  here..  nothing beats having good health eh.   So folks .. stay healthy by over-dosing with Vitamin C.

Long Walks

10 months into my hysterectomy. .and the spotting scare in February, I am finally able to take long walks.  The babysitter didn’t come to work.. so i took Missy Moo for long walks.. because i needed to get her out to get some fresh air.  I am glad to report that I have never felt better .. for a long time.  When i had my fibroids.. i couldn’t really walk for long . .even shopping was a painful experience.  I can’t wait for the summer to come.. and me and Missy Moo going out for long walks. .and eating in the park.