Monday, February 23, 2009

Saturday trip out

Before my follow up...Shane sms to tell that she could get me my old meds for a certain price...which obviously is too late after the follow up good news since i no longer use that...and the topic somehow went to meeting up for dinner

As usual...she's super blur one...mixed up my working location again...but it was decided that we would meet on sat afternoon for lunch with her friend...after i go hospital to return the meds

Then on tuesday...i got a very very surprising visitor on my msn...it was Adeline!!! haven't heard from her since ages although we have each other's msn contact...so talk talk talk...me repeating my 5 months history to her without the need of explaining the medical terms...hehehe...and then decided that...meet out for dinner on saturday

Then on wed night...annouced that there's tracting on saturday morning...

So all in all...my saturday is going to be one long day!!!

20 Feb 09

Morning:
Went tracting at the KK hall at 9am...i had to drive there since i'm going straight to assunta to return my meds...and then onwards to meet shane for lunch...

So...tract around the hall...walk walk walk...then jog jog a bit bit since won't be exercising today...so might as well do a bit...walau...sweat like don't know what...in my jeans!!!..joshua so kwai to teman me jog balik to the hall...hahaha

Then after breakfast...went to assunta hosp...called Dr. Thye's nurse to make sure she'll be there as i was already running late...had to go pump petrol and top up touch n go card somemore (stupid bro forgot to top up for me...made me got stuck at toll plaza)...then found a parking spot on the 5th floor...walk down the stairs as lazy to wait for lift and also wanna exercise more...found out i left my parking ticket in the car...so up again to the 5th floor and down again...walau eh...my legs were breaking d

Reached Dr. Thye's clinic...WALAUEH...super chui lang man!!! (super a lot of people)...and i thought i can just go in in between the patients...ya right...she's so busy...there's no in between patients...in the end...gotta wait for 1 hour...sms shane to tell her i'll be super late...only to be called back and kena zha by her for not making appointment...with the lecture of her being in the industry for 10 years...hehehe

Went starbucks to get a hot americano...then go back to the nurse counter...only to find the bench facing the room was fully occupied...the nice nurse was kind enough to ask me to sit next to her...like i'm a special patient only...then she told me she put me as an appointment for Dr. Thye...so clever man this nurse...hehehehe...although i didn't make any appointment...she made the appointment for me!! so in a way...i wasn't even cutting any queue!!! too bad Dr. Thye was super busy with a few patients that needed to run a lot of tests...hence the long wait...nurse so nice somemore show me my old records available on the system...until finally Dr. Thye's patient came out...

I didn't even know that the nurse actually brought out my medical file for Dr. Thye to refer...but i guess she needed to do that...since she knew my purpose of seeing the doc...before that i saw Dr. Thye while she was on the way to the stress test room to see another patient...and already told her i need her help to write the instructions to stop my medication

So...while Dr. Thye was writing the instructions (letter)...she asked me...how many box left??? i was like..."box?? no box...just 5 strips left...about 36 biji..."...she was like "huh?? not one box??? can return???"...i told her i think so can since they charged me by per pill and not per box...and so she continues to write the letter...

Then i asked her...i have one strip where i have taken out one pill and is no longer a perfect strip...so if the pharmacy doesn't accept that strip...can i continue to take that strip for a week??? She gave me a look and said this..." Later you get hypos again...then you say you get hypothryoid..." ...right...she remembers me all right...hahahaha...i was like..."no la...no hypos...lower bg only...still normal...hehehe"...but was also on the paiseh side...don't you just love this doc man...like to zha me kao kao now...hehehehe

After returning my meds to the pharmacy...i walked back up 5 floors as exercise again...and i notice a very big difference now compared to 3 months ago...on monday...i ran up the stairs as well...and only managed till 4th floor running up...then walked the remaining 3 floors...and with just a little bit of panting...this time...i manage to walk up all 5 floors with no difficulty at all...of course la my heart was beating fast...but that's normal...i still had the stamina to go on more floors...woohoo!!!

Afternoon:
By the time i finish everything from the hospital...it was already 1.30pm...so called shane up apologising like don't know what for being so late...and then it was decided that we'll go SS2 makan...

On my way there...at the junction to SS2 near the Lisa De Inn Roundabout...i saw an idiot that suddenly dashed out almost got killed...thank goodness the proton managed to stop in time with his tyres screeching and when he fell...the other car was stationary...if not...he'll be bye bye now or at least with serious head injuries in hospital....

Shane picked me up from my parking spot and went to some restaurant to makan...it was so much fun as it was a 2 against 1 zha-ing session...with me and evelyn ganged up to zha shane...it was so fun and funny...hehehe...

Initial plan was me following them to 1 utama for shopping with shane's mom as well...but somehow...something turned up...plan scrapped...and we had to part...sob sob...but at least...got another meet up date d...on 13 June 09...my next follow up date...since i'll be in PJ anyway...you imagine la how hard it is to meet this ah chiea...as she flies here and there...until airport already jadi her second home...hehehe

So with the original plan messed up...i balik rumah...and jogged on the treadmill for 10 min and walk another 10 min...now i've upgraded my exercise to half jog and half walk...my goodness...the jogging itself make me sweat more than my 20 min of walking last time...and my heart beating faster...means a better work out...so can say this day i exercise a lot...from jogging and walking during tracting...to walking up and down the stairs for 5 floors...then now on the treadmill again...wah...break my own record of exercise time...woohoo!!!

Night:
After gospel meeting...went straight to Jaya Jusco to meet up with Adeline...as she couldn't come for the gospel meeting...she went there first and was hanging around the arcade...as i haven't seen her in a long long while...apart from the web cam...i was looking high and low for her...just when i was about to reach my phone to call...she turned around and pop up right in front of me...yes...i really mean RIGHT IN FRONT of me...and both of us said the same thing to each other...wah!! really no change from last time...hehehehehhehehehe

We went to Kenny Rogers for dinner...since its friendly to me...(thanks adeline for accomodating me)...tested there...and my exercise for the day produced a result of 4.6!! wow!!! and only on metformin 850mg!! ...well its either the exercise really worked...or the metformin really worked...or...the januvia is still in my system...or could be all 3...but hey...i'm not complaining at all!!!

Throughout the whole meal...talking only about medical stuff...from me history...to her stressful meds studies...to exercise...to whatever medical related...quite nice chatting about those...at least this time its her explaining to me medical terms and not me explaining diabetic medical terms...hehehehe

After dinner...went to Caring pharmacy...wanting to buy the pre-balance powder which i put on my oat bran breakfast...and at the same time want to check my BP...since i'm having like not so normal heartbeat...at least i think its not normal...as its low...

Reached the pharmacy and the pharmacist (who already recognises me) told me the powder no stock...but she has ordered it...hehehehe...so i asked her to check my bp...and adeline went...don't get white coat syndrome ah (means get excited and bp goes up)...turns out my bp was 105/68 and heart rate is 62...both adeline and the pharmacist said its low but normal...so i guess i have white coat syndrome...but only with Dr. Thye...since my bp at her place was 130/70...which is high but still normal...the pharmacist was like...your bp is always this low?? since you're also at this level the last time you checked here...when i told her about the reading at Dr. Thye's place...she also hairan...Adeline just went...don't worry...its low but still normal...120/80 is white people's level...LOL...

It was really nice and fun to meet up with an old friend which you haven't seen for years!!!...plus also its someone that you can share your medical condition too as she totally understands it...

Funny thing was...on this day as well...i got another message (more of facebook profile comment) from another meds student and old friend...this time...it was Evelyn (not Shane's evelyn...but MGS evelyn)!! wah...not everyday you get to find future doc friends contacting you when you need it...

Thanks for the medical advice when i needed it future docs!!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Assunta Follow Up...warning...this is a VERY long post...

16 Feb 08

I had to rescheduled my appointment to this day (initially was 21 Feb 08) for Dr. Thye because the insurance had queries about the charges for the stupid eye doctor, who is only in the clinic on mondays 2-4pm ...@#$%^&*()

Anyway...back to the story...( i'm still cursing the stupid eye doctor!!! @#$%^&*(*&^%$#$%^&*)

About 2 weeks to 1 month before my appointment...i started noticing a few things about me

1) I'm having very bad headaches...mostly constant throughout the whole day
2) Had my blood pressure checked 2 times...about 2 weeks before the appointment...and i was registering low BP (99/65 & 108/67)
3) My hands and feet are super cold...even in the room with just the fan on...worse when its in a/c room...to the extend of it getting painful
4) My hands are no longer as red as last time...sometimes looks quite pale
5) I'm still going botak (losing a lot of hair)
6) My shoulders and neck is stiff like don't know what...

After asking around the forum (www.diabetesdaily.com - i'm so addicted to it now ^_^) and doing my own research...the only thing that popped up was...thyroid problems...to be more precise...hypothyroid... (means the thyroid not producing enough hormones for the body)

So took time off work...ask dad to send me to hospital...go get my blood drawn (2 full vials; 1 for HbA1C and another for TSH and Free T4 [thyroid function] test)...go get whatever stupid insurance letter done while waiting for the 1 hour to get out the lab results...call bro to see where he is since he's supposed to accompany me see Dr. Thye (on his birthday somemore...hahaha)...wait somemore...nurse telling me only my A1c results are out..then finally at 3pm...masuk see Dr. Thye (although it was my turn way long ago...as my file was lined up since 1.30pm...but because no lab results...go in also no use)

When i entered the room...Dr. Thye was on the phone...so while i was rummaging my handbag (yes people...i have a handbag...my one and only one...) for my notes and taking my time to sit down...Dr. Thye got off the phone and the first thing she said to me (will be doing convo style for the whole visit):

Hannah (H): As usual...my kiasu chart and log *gives Dr. Thye my notes*

Dr. Thye (DR): Hannah, hannah, hannah...so good la...

H: huh?? what so good??

DR: your HbA1c...i think your level is now better than your brother!!

H: huh?? what's my A1c??

Bro (B): I think so too!!

DR: *rumages through a pile of paper...and finally comes out with my HbA1c lab report* your thyroid results not in yet...

H: *takes a peak at the A1c result* WAHHHH!!!!! 4.4% SO LOW AH???

B: does she still has diabetes ah???

DR: of course... *looks at my notes and kiasu graphs* (Remember this please...good results doesn't mean no more diabetes...cannot take away like Datukship one...lifetime qualification ~_^)

H: I'm having some spiking problems...like that day i ate oat bran for breakfast...i check one hour later...it was 8.3!! from 4.4...

DR: What kind of oat bran??

H: not the instant type...the need to cook type

DR: you ate a lot is it?? oat bran shouldn't make you spike since its low GI

H: no ah...ok la...about 2 tablespoons...unless maid change it...but definitely less than my parents portion

DR: *laughs at me saying i'm eating less than mom and dad*

H: What about my thyroids?? I think i'm having hypothyroid...that's why i ask for the test...having a lot of the symptoms... *produces another piece of paper that contains the symptoms and my own kiasu notes*

DR: Hypothyroid??? stretch your hands...and open your fingers...*me stretches me hands with fingers wide open*... no problems la...if you have thyroid problems then your hands will be shaking!! what about your menses?? got palpitation meh?? (whatever the spelling...something to do with irregular heartbeat punya) *checks my heartbeat* ...ok ah...no palpitation

H: But my hands and feet are super cold even in just fan room..now a/c room at work even worse!!! My shoulder and neck are stiff!! I registered low BP 2 weeks ago...about 108/65 and 99/63...been having constant headaches and my Hair is losing like crazy!!!

DR: yalah...all those are symptoms of HYPO...not hypothyroid...but HYPOGLYCEMIC!!! (means blood sugar low)...see your A1c so low...of course you get all these symptoms...*checks my blood pressure*...where got low BP?? 130/70...still ok la...you must be very excited now...so excited to see me??? (cute la this doctor...hehehe)

H: must be too excited to see the A1c result...hehehe...then how you explain the hair loss??? I'm going to be botak soon d la!!!

DR: hmmm...that's odd...can't be januvia (medicine name) causing it... *checks her meds book...super thick...*... januvia doesn't cause hair loss ... *looks at me* ... you lost weight ah??? (she remembers me!!! i mean on face...not after looking at my medical records)

H: er...yeah...

DR: How much you lost??

H: around 10kg

DR: Wah!! Since when???

H: Since i got this lo...10kg in 5 months

B: ya...but she lost most of it in 3 months...these 2 months stagnant

H: ya...i lost 9kg in 3 months...about 3kg a month...these 2 months a bit stagnant but finally starting to move again

DR: hmm..ok...3kg 1 month is not too bad...what did you do??? plus your sugar levels are good...see your A1c...

H: jaga makan lo...watch my carbs but i still eat carbs...still like my noodles...my pan mee...eat protein and vegs...then exercise lo

DR: wah...so how often do you exercise??? 3x a day???

B & H: Noooooooo lah!!!!

H: last time is exercise daily la...20 mins in the morning...but after start working d...no time to exercise...so now just weekends and when i can exercise lo...20 - 30 mins

DR: oh you start working d la...good good...work where???

H: Volvo as purchaser...buy spare parts...hehehe...so what about my hair loss??

DR: i think it can be due to you losing weight fast...so maybe that's what causing it...or it can be because you jaga makan...you might be experiencing nutrient deficiency...which can cause it also

B: Lost weight also can make hair drop ah???

DR: yeah...btw...want to ask you...where is Jalan Tepi Sungai?? *while looking at my file*

B & H: Tepi the Sungai... (yes...we said this at the same time)

DR: huh???

B: really...to come to my house you have to pass by the Klang river...so its really tepi sungai...are you familiar with Klang??

DR: yeah...my in-laws stays in Klang

B: which part??

DR: Palm Grove area

B: oh...very near...do you know MGS?? *Dr Thye gives blur look...obviously not orang Klang...hehehe* ...you know Teluk Pulai??? *Dr. Thye nods head*...behind teluk pulai there la...that's tepi sungai...

H: btw Dr. Thye...can you write me a letter to say that you refered me to the eye doctor for the insurance again?? cause they are questioning the bill by the eye doctor...

DR: why are they questioning???

H: Too expensive la...check power only rm55...i go my optician free.. not some special procedure also...*shows doc the insurance letter*

B: If i were the insurance also i question the bill...soooo expensive

DR: wah he charge that expensive??? oh.....

H: you write in the letter la...make it sound like i really really needed that referal...if not sure cannot claim

DR: So...for now...i think i stop the januvia la...just go on metformin... 500mg once a day la

H: i still have old 850mg metformin at home...can i use that first???

DR: ok...you use that first...then after that you just switch to the 500mg la

H: but i still have 5 weeks of Janumet at home woh??

DR: bring back to the pharmacy and return

H: can i have your phone number??? in case i need to ask you something???

DR: just call the hospital for my clinic phone...for now i don't have a personal number to give out yet...now ah...want to do decent shopping also cannot

B: aiyo!! just email la!!!

DR: don't email me!!! i hardly check my email...already got complained by a patient that i didn't reply his mail...just call this phone... i will answer if i'm here...*holding my time sheet* ...so what time you want to leave the hospital?? (that time was 3.30pm)

H: er...4pm la *doc writes on the paper*...eh eh now only 3.30...better write 3.45pm la...later i arrive early at workplace then they hairan

D: why so kiasu??? go work a bit late nevermind one la...

B: you already saw her kiasu graphs what...of course she kiasu la...new job somemore...hehehe

D: *doc changes my time to 3.45pm* ...so i'll see you the next time la...you wait for a while i'll write you your letter...keep up the good work

After a while...got my letter from the doc...went back to work...beeming all the way at my super good results...for those who don't know how good it is...i can confidently say...might be better than yours...no i'm serious...i'm in healthy normal people level now...in fact its 0.1% below the ideal reference of 4.5-6.4%...

At home...i took a closer look at the letter that Dr. Thye wrote for me...in typical doctor's handwriting...straining my eyes to get it...and here's what i roughly remember what the letter wrote:

"To whom it may concern

This is to certify that i referred Hannah to an ophthamologist to have her eyes checked as she was having blurred vision. Hannah was diagnosed with diabetes milletus then and retinopathy was possible due to her very poor control of her blood glucose level at that time, and this was possible through the blurred vision she was experiencing.

Thank you."

Walau eh...she's my favorite doctor man...how not to??? I told her to make me look like as if i really really needed the referal for the eye doc...and she really really made me look like i needed it...how leh you ask??? "retinopathy was possible due to her very poor control of her blood glucose level at that time"... although it was true...but wah...she sure knows how to tackle insurance people...hehehe

Btw...mom is so happy...that she's spreading my levels are soo good...just keep saying i'm at 4.4...only prob is...she didn't mention that its the average glucose level...heheheh

The end.

Told you this post is going to be super long...hehehhehehhe

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Miss me??

Okok...i know i've been missing for a while...2 weeks to be more exact...but at least i'm back now right??...for now la...hahaha

So Happy Chinese New Year to all!!!...i know its a bit late...but better late than never...so mail me my ang pow if i don't see you...ok??..hehehe

So what's the update about me??
1) Had reunion dinner at home with uncle ronnie + Joseph and John + Jeevan

2) Went Tanjong Jara during the first 3 days of CNY...drove the whole 5 hours there but couldn't be bothered bout the journey back because was supposed to sleep in car...failed attempt...

3) At TJ, only activity...eat, swim, eat, sleep, eat, swim, eat,sleep, spa, gym, eat, sleep, gym, eat, swim, eat...balik...and yes...its in sequence

4) Am proud that i've only gained 1kg (although not so good) after whacking down all the CNY goodies and the food at TJ

5) Went back to work on the 4th day...and immediately found my first major task when i opened the mail from sweden

6) Got new staff in office...and had to give her some briefing on my job...so was quite busy these 2 days...but now free again and hoping that new job comes in for me

7) Almost pengsan and got a good luck note from my manager when i saw the part list...and the number of parts i'm responsible

8) Having super nice BG numbers on my meter (normal people level...the lower side i mean)...quite nice also in TJ especially after exercise...even went to 3.9!!!...either my low carbing (by just reducing the rice amount) is working...or my meds is working very very well now...or meter something wrong...hehehhehe...i think i shall think the first 2

9) So far like this la....no idea when i'm gonna update again...until something comes up la...hehehe