Week 22 - Down with Sinusitis

It has been more than a week that I am down with sinusitis. Recurrent fever, blocked nose, thick nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, sore throat and headache have been my loyal companions since then.

Sinusitis, has been part of my life since a few years ago. Just 3 years ago, I have gone through quite a painful FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) at Damansara Specialist Centre to cure my chronic sinusitis problem. However, sinusitis still comes back after that, the only different is it occurs less frequent, cut down to once or twice a year, as compared to last time when it hit me every 2-3 months.

I went to my company's panel clinic to get some 'medical advice'. In fact, the main purpose of my visit was just to get a few days of MC so I can rest or work from home. For the ultimate welfare of my precious baby, I know I could not afford to take any medicine, even though I'm prescribed. The doctor seemed to read my mind. There was no mediccation prescribed, except some paracetamol to mitigate my fever and headache and some lozenge to sooth my sore throat.

Back at home, I have been applying the following methods to clear my nasal passage and to boost up my immune system:

• Inhaling vapour rub steam
• gargle diluted organic charcoal bamboo salt water
• eating plenty of fruits
• drinking sufficient fluid
• rest, rest, rest.....
• keep a positive mindset

As per today, my condition has improved, slowly but steadily. Each day, I wake up feeling a bit better than the previous.  Christmas is just a round a corner, I want to be able to enjoy the joy of this beautiful celebration as everyone else does.

Maybe I should also seriously consider to save up some money so I can buy a little cottage in the suburbance area of New Zealand in the near future. Why is it so? Read this...

Last year May, I was down with sinusitus, just 2 days before my husband and I departed to New Zealand for our 1-month backpacking trip. Cancelling the trip, which had been long anticipated was totally not a choice for me. I insisted to fly, even though accompanied by full blown sinus symptoms. Miraculously, all the symtomps disappeared when I began to immerse myself in the pure air of New Zealand. 

So I guess flying to New Zealand whenever sinusitis hit me again is a good idea, don't you think so? Hahhaha....May my dream come true.

Merry X'mas to you who drop by to read my writing.

May you and your family have a joyful and peaceful holiday!

Week 20 - Meeting The New Gynae

Today is my 1st appointment with Dr. Paul Ng Hock Oon. My husband and I arrived at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Bangsar) at 10:45am for our 11:00am appointment.

We were told by the receptionist that today's queue will be slightly longer because Dr. Paul was still in the labour room. Well, it would be worthwhile to wait as long as the baby came to the world safely:)

At 11:45am it was my turn to meet the doctor. Pleasant looking Dr. Paul greeted us politely before he explored more about my medical history.

Before long, came the moment that we had eagerly looked forward to, seeing our baby! At the ultrasound room, there were 2 screens, one placed next to the patient for the doctor's viewing; while the other placed above the patient's bed  for the patient and her visitors' convenient viewing.

Our baby is growing well with the weight of 350gm at week 20.  The Doctor carefully showed us the baby's eyes, nose, lips, heart, bowel, hands and legs. Even though the images were only shown in 2D, but I already knew that the baby's has his/her father's signature chubby cheeks:). Well, here comes the most important feature, is the baby a boy or a girl? Let me do some recap before we proceed further.

Week 11(Nuchal Scan at FMGC) - Dr. Patrick told us that the baby was most likely a boy.

Week 16 (Damansara Specialist Centre) - Dr. Guna said that the baby was very likely a girl.

Week 20 (Pantai Hospital KL) - Dr. Paul said that the baby is a .............

I will only reveal the baby's gender next month when we do the 3D scan, just to be accurate. Both my husband and I have no special preference for boy or girl. In fact, we are very happy to have this unexpected miracle baby. Either boy or girl is a blessing to us. However, my mum prefers a boy while my mother-in-law favours a girl. Either way, I will not be able to fulfill both parties at the same time because I only carry one baby at a time, haha!. After all, regardless what the gender is, this baby will be our jewel.

After the whole consultation which took about 30 minutes, the nurse took my urine sample (for protein test), measure my weight and blood pressure. 

We are very comfortable with Dr. Paul and have decided to see him for the rest of the trimesters.

The total cost for today's visit is RM104:

Consultation  RM 50

Ultrasound    RM 50

Admin Fee    RM   4

We then proceed to the admission counter to find out more about the delivery packages offered by the hospital. There are 2 options:

Option 1 (4-bedded room) RM2688

Option 2 (2-bedded room) RM2788

(Price inclusive for mother and baby)

The above options are inclusive of the following items:

• Normal spontaneous vertex delivery conducted by Consultant Obstetrician
• Care for the newborn in the nursery by Consultant Paediatrician
• 3 days, 2 nights stay

The packages are only available for patients under the hospital's resident Consultant Obstetrician, Dr. Idris Ahmad and Dr. Paul Ng Hock Oon.

However, the above price only covers the basics of the basic. The usage of epidural, forceps/vacuum delivery, accelerated and induced labour, phototherapy for baby and any additional item will incur additional charges.

Well, we expect that we shall pay more than the figure shown, but at least it provides us a guideline for budgeting. Everyone prays for a smooth delivery, but it is always wise to allocate a back-up fund for unforseen emergency.