Goodbye

Today early in the morning, we received news from my cousin that his father (67) was going to leave this earth anytime soon and at 11.20am it was confirmed that my maternal aunt's husband had passed away in the hospital. We then conveyed our most heartfelt condolences to my aunt's family for their loss and let them know that our thoughts are with them although we can't be there to pay our last respect to our late uncle.

Again, this reminded me that life is indeed short and therefore we must treasure and use each moment as if it is our last. The last few months have been a very trying time for my aunt and cousin but it all happened so quickly. I do not know the details but I will list down here whatever I know in memory of my late uncle's brave journey.

      Oct 2013 - Felt a bit dizzy in USA and so returned to Taiwan.
30 Nov 2013 - Did blood test. Result: cancer markers are high. Did not have any appetite.
02 Dec 2013 - Did endoscopy and colonoscopy. Nothing major found just minor lesions in stomach.
09 Dec 2013 - Did CT scan.
13 Dec 2013 - Result of CT scan: Suspected Pancreatic Cancer. Set appointment with oncologist Dec 19.
14 Dec 2013 - Aunt and cousin returned from USA.
17 Dec 2013 - Couldn't write smoothly and had trouble speaking so was sent to the hospital.
18 Dec 2013 - Confirmed mild stroke.
19 Dec 2013 - Appointment with oncologist cancelled in order to treat mild stroke first.

02 Jan 2014 - Did biopsy.
08 Jan 2014 - Confirmed 4th stage Pancreatic Cancer. Cousin persuaded his dad to go for chemotherapy.

Between these two dates (8 to 17 Jan), uncle fell down from his hospital bed at night despite having a personal nurse (hired by aunt) and after that the personal nurse felt so bad that she resigned immediately. Doctors diagnosed another mild stroke. Uncle couldn't feel one side of his body. Did physiotherapy to regain using his whole body and when it seemed ok, started chemotherapy low dosage first.

17 Jan 2014 - Chemotherapy 2nd time. Cousin sent us youtube video of uncle doing physiotherapy to walk.
29 Jan 2014 - Things were looking good. Uncle went home and walked regularly to exercise in the park.

06 Feb 2014 - Chemotherapy 3rd time. I believe the dosage was upped this time. During the night, uncle was in tremendous pain (should be the side effects of the chemo) but managed to sleep. The next morning, cousin found uncle unconscious. Admitted to ICU, was another mild stroke, a feeding tube was inserted into the nostril (Nasogastric intubation) and he couldn't speak due to the mild stroke.

21 Feb 2014 - Uncle woke up this day and pulled out the feeding tube. It must have been very uncomfortable.

24 Feb 2014 - And today we got the sad news. Uncle is in a better place now. May he rest in peace.

17 years ago

Today is a special day for me not because it is a day where "Chap Goh Mei" (Hokkein word for the 15th day of Chinese New Year which is the end of the Chinese New Year celebration) also known as Chinese Valentine Day coincides with Valentine's Day and I read that it only happens once every 19 years but because I was packing my personal things and found the following valentine day's card which I made for my boyfriend (now spouse) back in 1997. It really brought back fond memories.

My spouse gave me a figurine of two piggies dancing together because both of us are born in the year of the boar and based on that one figurine, I drew the above valentine card.

And this is the message inside. I especially like the last sentence: Let's waltz through life together, up the mountains, down deep valleys, through rain and shine. Now, I don't make cards for him anymore, we just create memories together and store them in our brain (or I write about them online).

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. May you spend this day with your loved ones!

New Lane

Thank you to everyone who left CNY wishes as comments for my previous post. Still 5 days to go before CNY celebration officially ends so here's wishing everyone again a very happy Chinese New Year, may all of you gallop into the year of the horse with renewed vigour, good health, happiness and prosperity.

I did not go anywhere during CNY day 1 but on the day 4, I hitched a ride to Penang with my youngest brother who was returning to his home. The plan was to stay with him for one day, meet up with my friend, and return to KL on day 6 but the buses to KL were all full on day 6 so I had to stay for another day.

Just went to New Lane, Penang for hawker food one night for dinner, Queensbay mall for lunch on day 5 and KK Dry Bak Kut Teh restaurant for lunch on day 6. On Day 7 it was back to KL on Aeroline (RM60).
So do enjoy the next 5 days of CNY celebration before it ends!

New Lane, Penang

New Lane, Penang