Making a call

March 27, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum had a scheduled home visit with her palliative doctor on Tuesday. It’s always only Dr Rose. This time there was Dr Carmen, who recently joined Beacon Hospital. And, nurse Ruth. She was present to do my mum’s blood test. A once every three-month arrangement. Dr Rose’s home visit routine starts with questions about […]

No smoking

March 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Big moan. Smoking in eateries. Blatant and more prevalent now. Which made me wonder if the smoking ban has been relaxed or rescinded. I checked. It’s still very much in effect. In fact, Malaysia enforced a no-smoking ruling at all eateries and restaurants nationwide on Jan 1, 2019[1]. Not just eateries. The ban covered/covers a total […]

Storytelling

March 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum is a depository of stories. Sometimes a little unclear but mostly interesting. Her stories have given me precious glimpses into the various phases of her life. That said, there is one peculiar but still interesting story about two young girls, who visited her and played hide and seek in her condominium. She saw […]

Navigating life

March 6, 2023.Reading time 8 minutes.

Niece number 3 recommended it. ‘Stutz’ a 2022 documentary directed by Jonah Hill about his therapist, Dr. Phil Stutz. I like Jonah Hill. I’ve watched him in several movies, including ‘Moneyball,’ ‘War Dogs’ and more recently, ‘You People.’ He is a good actor and funny, I think. ‘Stutz’ was enlightening. It had plenty of useful […]

Day trips

February 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband and I have become resourceful. We are rediscovering, and finding new places to do day trips. Not too far away, between 2 to 5 hours. In place of nights away at hotels or resorts. Not doable due to my mum’s situation/arrangement. After more than a year, I finally have a caregiver, Kalyani. She […]

Year 2023

January 16, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband and I went to sleep just after 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve. Yes, on New Year’s Eve. I was unusually tired, and going to bed seemed the only sensible option. And, despite the Malaysian government’s decision to cancel this year’s New Year celebration, there were still some loud light and sound displays in […]

Finding a caregiver

January 9, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

It was on 7 November, 2021 that I started emailing nursing and care homes. I remember the date. My husband and I were in Zenith Putrajaya for a 2-day holiday. Sister number 3 was home for Deepavali from England. She was caring for my mum. Fast forward to now. Or should I say after a […]

Go-to convenience

December 26, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

They are everywhere. I recognised the changing landscape. I just didn’t spend too much time thinking about it. At least, until now. Convenience stores and mini-markets. There are four located a stone’s throw from my condominium. Within a one km radius, there are too many to count. They are either standalone or housed inside shopping […]

Life

December 5, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My heart is heavy. My head is busy. I am sad and teary. I don’t want to be but I can’t help it. I want to be strong. I am and I’m not. I’ve been in a tailspin of worry and fear. This, on top of my preoccupation with my mum’s health. 4th stage cancer […]

Trust

November 28, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

I like my Subaru XV 2.0. Not too big. Nice shape. Right height. OK colour. The steering wheel feels a little heavy when parking, but otherwise, all good. On average, I drive it twice a week. In the four years that I’ve had it, I’ve clocked up a very low mileage of under 20,000 km. […]