Severe Migraine

Today I have the most severe migraine in my entire life. I started to have it at noon. I would not want to experience the feeling I was going through from noon until the time I left work at 4.30p.m. I could not leave work early because I had a deadline to finish. Thank God I managed to drive home. I went straight to bed and slept for a couple of hours before cooking some prawn noodles to have for dinner.

Besides migraine, I also have fever and vomitted the small amount of food I had for lunch. The vomitting had stopped since I did not vomit out the prawns noodles I had for dinner. I hope and pray that I am able to sleep off both the migraine & fever and wake up anew tomorrow morning.

At an early age, I started to have migraine but I did not know that it’s called migraine until when I was in my 20’s. I always thought that it was just headache.

When I was working in an audit firm at Wisma Anglican at the grounds of All Saints’ Cathedral, my headache became more severe due to the tight deadline and stress. One day during working hours, I went to see a doctor in a clinic in Centre Point Shopping Centre and that was the time I discovered I suffered from migraine instead of normal headache.

Since then, I still have this migraine on and off, especially on hot days, eventhough I am inside the office with air-conditioner on. I always pray to God to heal me and He has never failed me each time. I do not go to the doctor to get medicine to cure it.

Grannie's Funeral Service

Grannie's Encoffining Service will be at 8.30a.m. at K.K Tionghua Funeral Parlour Room A on Friday 1 February 2008 and thereafter the Funeral Service will be held at All Saints' Cathedral at 9.30a.m.

The cortege will then proceed to Mile 5.5 Jalan Tuaran Anglican Cemetery for burial.

Grannie at KK Tionghua Funeral Parlour Room A

Dinner at Restaurant Masakan Sedap

Tonight we had dinner at Restaurant Masakan Sedap which is located at Lot 19 & 20 Kolam Centre, same row at Foo Phin Dim Sum Restaurant.

The menu consisted of steamed fish, fresh water prawns, wet buttered crabs, sweet pea veges, chicken chop in Thai sauce, beancurd with minced meat and lamb chops.

All dishes tasted great except the crabs were slightly on the salty side. Everyone was so hungry so we finished everything!

The bill of RM582.96 was paid out from grannie’s bank account to thank everyone for their effort for the past three weeks.

R.I.P. grannie (15 July 1906 – 26 January 2008) (102y.o.)

Grannie went into Rafflesia Medical Centre on Saturday 5 January 2008 after 3p.m. Today at 3.23p.m., Saturday 26 January 2008, grannie breathed her last.

I am happy that she does not have to suffer anymore because it really broke my heart to see her suffered so much at her age. But at the same time I am sad because she is no longer on this earth.

The maid was still giving her some porridge to eat and water to drink. She was also waiting for the nurse to come in to turn grannie to another side when she heard that grannie breathed out one last loud breath and stopped breathing.

Grannie chose to go at a time when only the maid was with her. All through these past two weeks, there was usually at least one other person (be it her children or grandchildren) there besides the maid.

Before Aunty Brenda Funk and Aunty Linda Chew bathed her, Ps. Sim Shiu Kee came and said a prayer for grannie and the family.

Grannie looked so peaceful at last. I am sure she is rejoicing in heaven right now.

We waited for the people from the K.K. Tiong Hua Funeral Parlour (at the bottom of the Mile 5½ Tuaran Road cemetery, near the Fire Department) to come to take grannie’s corpse to the mortuary.

The funeral will be on Thursday 31 January 2008.

Thank you to everyone for your concern and prayers for grannie and our family since the start of 2008. May the Lord bless you bountifully.

Grannie’s 21st Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Today grannie is on oxygen tank since there is a lot of mucus in her lungs. She could breathe in but could not breathe out properly. Her stomach and legs are swollen. She has not passed out a lot of water.

Cousin George Chong and his wife Jenney drove to Sandakan and Uncle Philip Lee and Uncle Michael Funk joined them. They will be in Sandakan until Monday.

At noon time Uncle Peter Lee and cousin Grace Lee flew back to Hong Kong while cousin Natalie Funk is on transit there before flying back to California.

Aunty Shirley Chong, mum, Aunty Brenda Funk, Aunty Linda Chew and Chloe Chong went to Archie De Corner for dinner (western food).

I decided not to join them since I was exhausted and had slight fever when I arrived home after working from 7.30a.m.until 6p.m.

Tonight Aunty Brenda will be taking care of grannie overnight.

Grannie’s 20th Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Last night grannie seemed to be in a lot of pain again. She was under morphine to relieve her of pain.

Last night cousins Natalie Funk and Grace Lee spent overnight there to care for her since they were leaving for Hong Kong noon today.

Dinner at Supertanker on 24 January 2008

Tonight Uncle Peter Lee, Uncle Philip Lee, Aunty Brenda Funk and Aunty Linda Chew treated all of us to dinner at Supertanker Restaurant.

The menu consisted of hot and cold combination dish (omelette, shellfish, ‘hoi jit’, etc), clear veges and prawn soup, steamed fishes (two), crispy chicken, sayur manis with garlic, pakis with chilli and belacan (Aunty Linda bought this at the market and brought it to the restaurant for them to cook for us) and spare ribs.

By 8p.m., everyone was hungry. Every dish tasted nice except the spare ribs. Each gigantic piece of spare rib consisted of one thick layer of fat!

Tonight cousin Chew Chui Chui flew back to Kuala Lumpur. Her flight was at 9.15p.m. so she was not able to join us for dinner.

The bill came to RM680 for two tables of adults and a table of six of children.

Grannie’s 19th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Tonight grannie kept on sighing and being restless. Looked like she’s in a lot of pain.

Aunty Brenda Funk said grannie did not sleep much the whole day eventhough she was given Valium twice. She kept on telling Aunty Brenda she’s scared of death. Aunty Brenda had to make sure she’s there for grannie each time she called her.

Grannie had been passing blood a few times when passing motion.

Tonight Dr. Kiew was going to check on grannie at 10p.m. to see what's the next course of action to take.

Dinner at VIP Kopitiam

Tonight cousins Victor, Anna and Christopher Chong with their respective spouse invited us all for dinner at VIP Kopitiam at Wisma Damai.

The menu consisted of fish maw soup, crispy skin chicken, kangkung fried with chilli and belacan, asam grouper, honey spare ribs, dry buttered prawns, Japanese beancurd with minced pork and mixed vegetables.

All the dishes tasted nice except the fish. The fish was not fresh.

Bill came to slightly over 1K for 2 tables of adults and half a table for children.

Grannie’s 18th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Last night grannie was sleeping soundly when we went to see her. Therefore, we did not stay for long so that she can sleep peacefully. Cousin Natalie Funk looked after grannie overnight.

Grannie’s 17th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Since grannie’s maid had to care for grannie tonight, I stayed at home to help the other maid to clean up.

By the time they came home, I was already in dreamland.

Dinner at Home on 21 January 2008

Tonight mum invited everyone to come to our house for dinner. Mum had Aunty Linda Chew and the two maids to help her.

She only went to the market this morning and tonight there were about 30 people for dinner.

The menu consisted of veges salad, bakuteh soup, two stir fried green veges (one is kangkung), hainan chicken, braised pork and eggs with dark soya sauce and deep fried battered prawns. Uncle Philip Lee took away two ducks from Kong Dung Chai shop at Iramanis.

Of course everything tasted great since mum is such a good cook. :)

Grannie’s 16th Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

After dinner at Shoneys, most of us went to see grannie. She had the sixth blood transfusion tonight because her blood count had dropped to six eventhough she had two blood transfusion the day before.

At 10p.m. Ps. Sim Shiu Kee and Ps. Susan Tang from All Saint’s Cathedral came to pray for grannie and the whole family.

All grannie’s children had to take turns to thank her and ask her for forgiveness. After that my brother James represented all the grandchildren. I could not contain myself and I cried because it was such a sad occasion.

I heard all throughout the night grannie was not sleeping and she really made Aunty Brenda Funk (a professional nurse) pampered her.

Dinner at Shoneys Dining & Bar on 20 January 2008

Tonight cousins George and Alan Chong invited all of us to have buffet dinner at Shoneys Dining Bar, the dining place of Hamin Lodge located in Sedco Complex Kota Kinabalu, next to Sri Selera, Kampung Air.

The menu consisted of mushroom soup, salad, mashed potatoes, rice, lamb stew, fish in white sauce, poached prawns and fruits.

Before dinner, Aunty Shirley Chong, Uncle Peter Lee, Uncle Philip Lee, Uncle Michael & Aunty Brenda Funk had a massage first.

Dinner at Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant on 19 January 2008

Tonight our family had dinner at Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant. When we arrived, I checked on my handphone and saw I received an incoming sms. On checking, Kelvin Ong was having dinner alone at the same place before he attended the church service. Kelvin used to be my neighbour when we were living in Bourke Street, North Wollongong.

We had asam fish, sayur manis with garlic, beancurd seafood hotpot, lemon chicken and lamb ribs in black pepper sauce. Eventhough we ordered serving for six people (there were six adults and three children), the dishes were very big.

The asam fish was kinda tough (I did not really like it). The sayur manis were not old and tasted crunchy. The prawns inside the beancurd seafood hotpot were not fresh (I did complain to my ex classmate’s wife who was helping out in the shop at the time). The lemon chicken was ok. The lamb ribs were well marinated and tasted the best.

Uncle Peter Lee paid for the bill of RM127.00.

We could not finish the sayur manis, beancurd hotpot and lemon chicken. So we took away for the maid’s lunch the next day.

Grannie’s 16th Day at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Grannie may have internal bleeding again today. But she’s awake and can talk a little bit. She kept on saying she has to go to the toilet and so we told her just to do her small business since she has diapers on.

When Uncle Philip Lee arrived from London, United Kingdom around noon, grannie nodded her head thrice when he called her.

She may need another blood transfusion today because she does not have enough blood.

Grannie’s 15th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Today the nurse said grannie can start to take watery porridge again but we did not know until late at night. Dr. Kiew said grannie’s situation is not good at all and she is starting to have water retention in her body. Her legs and hands are all swollen up.

Pastor Lee Kim who used to serve at BCCM (E) Likas but now serving in Beijing dropped by to see her on the way to the airport. She prayed for her and our family. She also chit-chatted with mum, Aunty Shirley Chong, Uncle Peter Lee, Aunty Linda Chew, cousin George Chong and his wife Jenney.

Tonight her left hand was tied up when we arrived briefly. There were tears at the corner of her eyes when she heard Aunty Brenda and Uncle Michael Funk had arrived back from California.

It’s so good to see Uncle Mike because we have not seen each other for 23 years. Hope to be able to catch up with him while he’s back.

Aunty Brenda and Uncle Mike are staying at George Chong’s house in Taman Khidmat.

Grannie’s 14th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Today grannie passed out blood at least four to five times when passing motion. Today she was given blood transfusion twice (meaning fifth time since admission)

Tonight she was sleeping when we arrived. Her left hand is quite swollen from the tubes for the drip and blood transfusion. So tonight the tubes were placed onto her right hand. Both her hands are still being tied up.

She was given first class treatment by Natalie Funk, Esther Chew and Grace Lee. She seemed to enjoy their fanning her so much.

When mum placed her hand on top of grannie’s lung area and asked her whether it’s painful, she nodded her head. Mum also put her hand on the stomach and grannie did not nod her head.

The mucus in her lungs are clearing up slowly.

Grannie’s 13th Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

When we arrived, grannie had been given blood transfusion (third time since admission) again. She was sleeping quite soundly but was getting restless as we were about to leave. This is probably due to the effect of the sedative wearing off. The mucus in her lungs are disappearing slowly but not entirely yet. She passed out a bit of blood when she is passing motion tonight.

Her heartbeat can range from 60’s to 120’s. The nurse has to move the machine in and out of her room because the medical centre only has one of such kind of machine. And therefore grannie has to share it with another patient.

When cousin Natalie Funk arrived from California, grannie nodded her head to indicate that she knew Nat had arrived.

Grannie’s 13th Day at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Aunty Linda said grannie passed out blood twice when passing motion today. :(

Doctor put a machine to monitor her heartbeat into her room.

Grannie’s 12th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Tonight grannie is sleeping when we arrived. First time after a long long time she’s sleeping peacefully.

Aunty Shirley, cousin George Chong and wife Jenney and cousin Victor Chong and wife Rowena were there when we arrived.

Grannie's hands are tied up to the bed because she kept on knocking them on the steel barricade connected to the bed.

Aunty Shirley and cousin Alan Chong are back from Kuala Lumpur this evening while Jeff left at the same time. He bumped into them when they arrived back in Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu.

Uncle Michael and Aunty Brenda Funk would be coming back from California, United States of America. Uncle Philip would be coming back from London, United Kingdom as well but the date has not been fixed.

Dinner at Four Seasons

Braised Squid


Pumpkin Soup


Sushis


Roasted Chicken with Coleslaw & Spaghetti


Tonight we had dinner at Four Seasons next to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Damai Plaza.

Mum brought along the braised squid which Jeff bought before he went to the airport this afternoon.

I had set dinner consisted of pumpkin soup, roasted chicken with coleslaw and spaghetti and ice-cream.

Dinner at Equatorial Restaurant on 15 January 2007

Grannie’s 11th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Yesterday grannie was given another blood transfusion.

Last night grannie was sedated so that she could have a good night sleep. When we were there after 9p.m., Dr. Kiew came to examine her. Today Jeff went back to Kuala Lumpur so last night we left him alone with grannie so that he can talk to her.

Grannie was more restless last night as compared to tonight. She would wake up suddenly and sleep again.

Grannie’s 10th Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre Part 2

Just received a sms from Aunty Linda a while ago.

Dr. Kiew went to see Aunty Linda and told her that the blood bank still do not want to release the blood so have to chase them tomorrow.

Grannie may have suffered a mild stroke which affect her speech centre and so she feels frustrated cos she cannot talk.

Grannie’s 10th Day and Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

Today and tonight I did not go to see grannie.

Aunty Linda said grannie had a good night sleep last night. She will be given another blood transfusion maybe at midnight tonight. She looks better than yesterday.

Because of grannie needing blood transfusion, Jeff and Chui Chui had to go to the blood bank in Queen Elizabeth Hospital today to replace the blood. I heard that a few other people had to do that as well.

Uncle Peter and cousin Grace Lee arrived from Hong Kong tonight. Uncle Peter just told me grannie recognised them.

Aunty Shirley and cousin Alan Chong would be coming back from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Cousin Natalie Funk will try as fast as possible to get here from California, United States of America.

Grannie’s 9th Night at Rafflesia Medical Centre

When we arrived at the medical centre tonight, cousin Victor Chong and family were there. Cousin George Chong and family were there earlier on.

Dr. Kiew gave grannie antihistamine for her allergies and the medicine caused her drowsiness. She woke up and slept through the time we were there.

Grannie did not reject the blood that was transfused to her this afternoon. So far doctor can only give her one pint because her heart may not able to take it if more is given.

Tonight Aunty Linda and grannie’s maid Maria are there overnight to care for her.

Jeff and Chui Chui are on the way back on the AK5110 flight from Kuala Lumpur and ETA is 1010p.m.

Uncle Ho called and talked to mum and I. My bro-in-law Mervis Chong also called from Kudat.

Grannie’s 9th Day at Rafflesia Medical Centre Part 2

At 3pm we rushed to the medical centre after receiving a call from the nurse saying grannie has to be on the oxygen tank. Calls were made to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, United States of America and London to update everyone on the latest news.

Grannie managed to hear voices of Aunty Shirley, Uncle Peter, Uncle Phillip, cousin Chui Chui and my brother Jeff. They told her to wait for them to come back.

Since today is Sunday and the laboratory is not open, Dr. Kiew gave grannie a blood transfusion of Type B blood. If she rejects the blood, he is on stand by to give her injection.

Her blood pressure can range from the vicinity of 80 to 130.

Right now mum is there to look after her while we came back for shower and to have dinner.

Jeff and Chui Chui are on Air Asia waiting list to come back to Kota Kinabalu. Aunty Shirley and cousin Alan Chong will come back from Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. Uncle Hoi may be coming back tomorrow depending on the availability of air ticket.

Grannie’s 9th Day at Rafflesia Medical Centre

This morning I drove the younger maid to the medical centre so that she could look after grannie while her aunty (grannie’s maid Maria) can come home to rest.

When I arrived the lights of the room were switched on, Maria told me that grannie had been having diarrhoea all throughout the night and therefore both of them did not sleep much. She tried to give some porridge we brought to grannie but she did not want to have any. She looks worst today since admission and she’s in a lot of pain.

Finally for the first time since grannie’s admission, I met Dr. Kiew Chik Sang. He should be in his 50’s, slightly above 5 feet, slim and wearing glasses. He spoke to grannie in Cantonese.

He also confirmed that grannie looks the worst today eventhough for the last two days her condition was improving. He explained to me that grannie is having two problems right now.

1. Her stomach is bleeding because of stress. This stress comes from not being able to do what she wants. As a result, the nurse administered an injection for this.
2. Since old people have delicate skin, there is a sore at her buttock caused by wearing diapers and from not being able to move much. He advised us to get a bottle of Vaseline and to apply it when changing diapers.

Furthermore, he explained the following.

1. Her diarrhoea is caused by the reaction to the antibiotic. There was also blood when she passed motion.
2. He took some blood from her left hand for blood test to ascertain whether there is any drop in her blood count. If yes, then he would have to give her a blood transfusion. (I just received a sms from Aunty Linda. The doctor is giving her a blood transfusion in 2 hours’ time since she has lost a lot of blood).
3. Eventhough she has not been sleeping much, he cannot sedate her because that will stop her from coughing. By not coughing the mucus in her lungs will get worst. He will give her something to liquidify the flame.

He advised those who want to come back to see grannie to come back. She may get worst or get better.