Covid Has Finally Found Its Way into our Home

I have been meaning to blog about this but have been so busy trying to play catch up after this Covid situation.

 

Anyway, I wanted to say that even with our constant efforts of masking, sanitizing our hands frequently, staying away from crowded places and everything else you can think of, Covid still managed to find its way into our home and it was rough,... on me mostly, because I was left to hold everything together.

 

Let’s go back to February 9 when my son Logan finally got his Covid booster vaccine. I had made an evening appoint so he wouldn't have to miss too many school days. He did stay home the next two days as he wasn't feeling the best and his arm was hurting.

 

Anyway, after receiving the vaccine, the school would excuse a student from being absent for two days without a medical certificate or a written note which is a good thing because I hate writing notes.

 

The same day Logan had his booster vaccine, I had gone to the doctor in the morning because it's been a few days since I have not been feeling well and it just got bad enough for me to actually go see a doctor. Thankfully my Covid test results came back negative.

 

Over the weekend, Logan started to develop a mild cough and runny nose. We were self-medicating him. Then Monday rolls around and I keep him home from school and was going to write a note until his class teacher told me that we needed a doctor's note since there was a class test he missed. So we go to the doctor and they did a Covid test which was thankfully negative, but was told to do a self-test in 72 hours.

 

Seventy hours later, we did a home test and it showed he was positive so naturally, Ed, Lani and I took the test as well but wewere negative. Now the issue was my mother who was now already at my grandmother's house. Ed and I rushed over to get them tested. I was glad granny tested negative but unfortunately mum was positive so she went home with Ed and I stayed with granny that evening.

 

I could tell mum was worried and we had to reassure her it was going to be alright.

 

The next few days were rough. It was then I realized how much my mum does around the house. Well, it isn't like I didn't already know and don't already appreciate what she does but this made me appreciate her more. But man oh man was I exhausted trying to get my work done while making sure mum and Logan were fed and taken care of. It was a little scary being in such close contact as I couldn't afford to catch this because if I did, who would take care of everyone else? So I washed and sanitized my hands so often that by the time this was over, I'd have skeletal remains for hands.

 

On Monday, February 21, Eddie had to do a test early in the morning as he usually has to before the work week starts. It was a company policy. Well, guess what? He tested positive!! How were we going to work the room situation now? Well, we had to figure something out and figure it out quick! Thankfully mum tested negative so she was out of self-quarantine with Logan. Logan was still positive so he bunked with Ed this time.

 

All this while, Lani and I have tested negative and all this while I have been sleeping on the couch. Can I scream, “I want my life back?”

Finally, February 23 (Wednesday), Logan was tested negative and he was a happy camper although not so happy he had to return to school. But I was getting worried about him because being confined in his room for so many days; he was starting to feel depressed. But it’s all over now.

 

Ed was still positive and was sleeping a lot and still had a bad throat. At some point in time, I was actually scared I would lose him. But thankfully, God was watching us.

 

Finally!! Friday morning, February 25, Ed tested negative and he went in to the office. I spent the morning disinfecting my room and the whole house! I finally got to sleep on my bed that night and boy was it magical.

 

A month passed. Ed and Logan are better. Mum still seems to have the side effects or aftermath of Covid but getting better every day. Lani and I are still God’s favourites.  

 

Thank God we were all fully vaccinated.

It is just so strange two years ago, it was really scary when you hear of coming having the Covid virus and today it is strange if you haven’t been infected with it yet!

Life Is Beautiful Once Again

 

Sitting here at Changi Beach, the usual spot, and I realized something…

 

I AM FINALLY FREE.

 

I am sitting here with a healed heart filled with beautiful memories of the times I spent here with my best friend Ian. I no longer hurt and I am no longer hoping for a reunion. I am simply just grateful to have had that time with him and memories that will remain with me for a lifetime.

 

But this feeling of being FREE is nothing short of amazing especially since I am no longer caught in that moment. I have set myself free and I feel so much better.

 

Yes, I believe at times, I will still start re-thinking of certain times and it may either make me smile or make me sad but it isn't something I or anyone has any control of. The main thing now is that I have grown and I am able to let it go and move on.

 

Time to make new memories here… as I sit here by the beach, with my daughter…

 

Life is beautiful once again.

 

---

 

Let them go..

Sometimes,

the best thing you can do

for someone you love

Is let them go.

Set them free.

Wish them happiness and

set them free,

Set yourself free.

A Doctor Lacking Compassion

Last Sunday, my mother was not feeling well. She did not want to wake me or bother me so she quietly left the house and struggled to get to the doctor’s office which was about a block away from where we live.

I only found out about it when I woke up and she told me. She was also upset and told me what had happened at the doctor’s office. I was actually not surprised because it was a Sunday and the doctor on duty, I have always had issues with thus why even if I was bleeding or dying on a Sunday, I would wait till Monday before heading to see the doctor. 

I won’t tell the story twice as the letter below which I had sent to the doctor’s office with the Ministry of Health and Singapore Medical Board on carbon copy (cc) will tell you what had happened. 

But I would like to hear from you. Was I over reacting? What would you have done if that happened to your mother?

---

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing in to make a complaint about Dr Susanna Wong from Heartland Health at New Upper Changi Road.

On the  6th of March, my 65 year old mother woke up early in the morning to head to the clinic to see the doctor as she had been ill all night, diarrhea and throwing up. She did not want to wake me so she went alone. 

Finally, later in the morning, my mother told me she had seen Dr Susanna and that she was diagnosed with food poisoning. My mom said she had asked Dr Susanna what she could drink as she could not hold any solids down. When asked if she could drink Barley, Dr Wong proceeded to say she should not as she has diabetes. My mother then asks, "So what can I drink?" The reply from Dr Susanna Wong was shocking. 

Dr Susanna Wong, in a very hasty and stern manner replied, "I don't know!"

That upset my mother lots and even more so, it had upset me. A patient goes to a doctor for a cure and if a doctor cannot tell you what you can drink to replace the nutrients you have lost after the numerous times you have thrown up and such, then why do we even go to a doctor? 

She could not have told my mother that she could have clear broth, or any sort of drink that replaces electrolytes?

Now, anyone deserves a chance but Dr Susanna Wong has previously, in the past, at least twice, been very arrogant and rude and does not show any concern, compassion or empathy.  She is so bad that no matter how ill I am on a Sunday, knowing she is on duty, I will wait until Monday before I head to the doctor. Yes, that is how bad she is. 

To continue with what happened that Sunday, 6th of March, my husband and I then walked over to the clinic to clarify this with her. We step into the room and instead of stopping what she was doing to attend to us, she keeps typing away and sternly asks for us to sit. When we refused, she continued to say, "why don't one of you sit?"

I am no expert but I have studied peoples' behaviours over the years in my line of work, and that sort of behaviour, tone of voice and attitude only proves to me that Dr Wong is somewhat a 'bully' and likes to be in control. 

When my husband and I refused to sit, she finally stopped what she was doing and listened to what I had to say. At first she denied, and I went on to tell her that my mother does not lie and in fact has no reason to lie. I told her this isn't the first time I've had issues with her attitude but the previous two times I let it go because it was me. However, now, it is my mother she was doing this to and I will not take this lightly. 

When she realized what I was saying, she finally stood up and apologized and asked if she could apologize to my mother. I said no. The damage has already been done and I am reporting this matter. 

Even after I told her I do not want an apology, she ignored my wishes and proceeded to call me at least 4 times and called my mother about 6 times while she was trying to rest. That was uncalled for. 

I would appreciate it if you could seriously look into this matter because a doctor cannot be uncompassionate like Dr Wong. A doctor should be able to answer their patients' questions. 

Looking forward to your favourable response. 

Many thanks. 

CC: Singapore Medical Council
CC: Ministry of Health