The Garden Debate

Brendan was picked to represent his school St John’s Institution (SJI) in an age group restricted debate tournament (13 to 15 year olds) organized by Garden International School (GIS). We were up pretty early on a Saturday morning so that he’d be there by 8AM. We stopped by Restoran Safiz Corner for breakfast before making our way to the venue.

breakfast on a Saturday morning? unheard of!

There were quite a large number of teams competing, from as far as Malacca. Although it was his first tournament Brendan didn’t seem nervous at all, I think we were more nervous than him! SJI sent two teams and he was in Team 1.

the boys preparing

Thank you Cikgu Elizabeth

His first match started promptly at 9:30AM.

what, me worry?

with their esteemed opponents

yup, Brendan's a leftie

Throughout the day, Team 1 had a total of four mathes and they didn’t do too badly (what with it being their first time and all) chalking up 2 wins. Their first and last opponents were from GIS teams and while they lost the first match, they redeemed themselves by winning the last.

chill Mom!

Teams 1 & 2

Team 1: Haarandren, Sarab & Brendan

Team 2: Sri, Jazlan & Asri

Teams with their parents

final match

listening intently

and the verdict is..... SJI's Team 1!

Brendan with his badges

The boys decided to stay back and watch the finals between two boarding schools. It was an eye opener and they quickly understood why these two fine teams made it to the finals (charisma and intelligence aplenty).

well done boys

oi, watch the match

They also had a photo opportunity with the lovely GIS girls, cheeky boys!

when Goofy met Silly

when Goofy met Silly

when Goofy met Silly

with the kind soul who organized the whole thing

Thyroid Function Studies March 2013

T3: 5.15 (normal levels from 2.23 to 5.35) – normal (at last) J

T4: 16.6 (normal levels 9.1 to 24.4) – normal J

TSH: 0.01 (normal levels is from 0.30 to 4.64) – complications*

*due to complications arising from the cholesterol medication. Doctor’s pretty confident this is a minor problem, as long as it’s not at an elevated state I should be fine (it was an uncharted ‘999’ before).

I will be celebrating my 44^th birthday soon, so these results are an early present as far as I am concerned.

And oh, one more thing, I’m off the walking stick J

here's hoping for many happy returns J

Thyroid Function Studies February 2013

T3: 5.61 (normal levels from 2.23 to 5.35) – slight elevation

T4: 16.6 (normal levels 9.1 to 24.4) – normal J

TSH: <0.01 (normal levels is from 0.30 to 4.64) – L

I honestly don't know what's going on with the TSH levels. The rheumatologist said it could be due to complications arising from the cholesterol medication. However he’s pretty confident this is a minor problem, so long as its not at an elevated state I should be fine (it was an uncharted ‘999’ before).

my rheumatologist J

Thyroid Function Studies January 2013

The heading is taken from the hospital’s lab results today

T3: 5.85 (normal levels from 2.23 to 5.35) – slight elevation

T4: 20.5 (normal levels 9.1 to 24.4) – normal J

TSH: 0.02 (normal levels is from 0.30 to 4.64) – hmm, slipping further L

Truth be told, I'm feeling way better now although the results don't show it.

see?

Living with Hypothyroidism

It’s been six months since the hospitalization. I’ve been in recovery ever since (physiotherapy and medication), and am glad to report that things are going on fine. Although I’m still using a walking stick I think it won’t be long till I’ll be liberated.

There is still a ‘pinching’ pain in the lower back, especially in the morning but it is not as severe as before (when I literally double over in debilitating pain). Since the term used by the rheumatologist was ‘degenerated’ lumbar, and since hope springs eternal, we are confident of ‘regenerating’ the lumbar.

Naturally with a walking stick mobility is restricted, and while we’ve been to several places I found using the DSLR to be burdensome (balancing yourself with a walking stick while trying to focus the camera is no mean feat!) and since this is a photo-blog after all, I’ve not been posting.

Remember the off the charts readings when I was hospitalized? It now has stabilized, and reads as follows: -

T3: 5.33 (normal levels from 2.23 to 5.35) – normalized

T4: 20.7 (normal levels 9.1 to 24.4) – normalized

TSH: 0.06 (normal levels is from 0.30 to 4.64) – went the other way?

And oh, I will be medicated for life to ensure the hormone levels are balanced. Here's hoping for a marvellous new year!

Cat and I (+ walking stick) on a walkabout J

Hospitalized!

I’ve been hospitalized for Hypothyroidism, a state in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. My advice to everyone is to IMMEDIATELY check your levels of:

• thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
• thyroxine (T4)
• triiodothyronine (T3)

In primary hypothyroidism, TSH levels are high and T4 and T3 levels are low. For a very long time now, I’ve been experiencing the following symptoms:

• weight gain
• fatigue
• muscle cramps and joint pain
• dry, itchy skin
• thin, brittle fingernails
• rapid thoughts
• depression (subjective)

Since of late, I’ve not been able to drive since as I am experiencing what can only be described as muscle ‘freeze’. As an example, I find difficulty unclenching my clenched fist, and if I turn my head either side I also find difficulty turning my head back to the front. That is why I’ve stopped driving.

I almost had surgery for what was thought to be a slipped disc of several lumbars. It was finally revealed that the Hypothyroidism caused an abnormal build-up of antibodies. These antibodies, once present but with nothing to consume began eating into the muscles of the lumbar, effectively causing what is called a degenerated lumbar(s).

Thankfully a second opinion referred me to a rheumatologist, who after listening to my description of muscle ‘freezing’ thought of checking my T3, T4 and TSH levels, thus discovering the Hypothyroidism.

The rheumatologist further gave me some sobering news. If left untreated, the antibodies would have eaten into every muscle of my internal organs and I would have eventually ‘expired’ in my sleep!

I am now in the hospital while the rheumatologist monitors my T3, T4 and TSH levels, and with some medication and physiotherapy I hope to regain full and normal use of my limbs (especially my lower back). At the point of being hospitalized, my levels were as follows:

T3: 1.0 (usual range is between 9.1 to 24.4) – way below range

T4: 0.5 (usual range is between 2.23 to 5.35) – way below range

TSH: 999 (usual range is between 0.30 to 4.64) – way above range

You can imagine the concern! More updates soon...

Sitiawan / Teluk Intan

My Car Club had a gathering at Teluk Batik, Lumut. This are photos from the final day on our way back to Kuala Lumpur.

we found this shop on the outskirts of Sitiawan as we left

no signboards, but the noodles were good!

familiar?

the go-to place when in Teluk Intan

most often taken photo in Teluk Intan?

interesting story

how many times have you seen this?

from a different spot

local delicacy

I’ve not been feeling well these past few months, hence the lack of postings. More information in my upcoming post.

Kang San Ea B.B.Q.

Korean Restaurant B.B.Q Kang San Ea

C5 Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1

Taman Ampang Utama

68000 Ampang

+60342512598

(Coordinates: 3.155275, 101.751506)

It’s the Chinese lunar New Year, and to usher in the New Year we decided to sample some Korean cuisine. After the disappointing Do Mo Nae (Ampang Point) some time back, we were glad we came here.

This is authentic Korean fare, with their very own homemade kimchi side dishes and all! Words cannot describe the incredible experience, so just enjoy the pictures!

unassuming entrance

the menu on the wall had me salivating

what to eat, what to eat

firing up the grill

trying out 'soju' for the first time

crunchy fresh salad

ooh la la, pork bellies J

where do we start?

marvellous kimchi soup

still grilling

side dishes as we wait

side dishes

ah, the pork bellies are all done J

marvellous!

don't worry, he's only pretending

that's plain water

We used to celebrate special occasions (birthdays and anniversaries) at places like TGIF, Chilli’s and the like. No longer, as we will now be frequenting places like Kang San Ea B.B.Q. which is more attuned to our tastes in future.

Station Bak Kut Teh

Station Bak Kut Teh

Lot 3A, First Floor, Citrus Park Food Emporium

Plaza OUG, 1 Jalan Klang Lama

58200 Kuala Lumpur

+60379816050

We read about this online and decided to give it a try. We were suitably sceptical because we were of the opinion franchised BKT would not measure up to the traditional family-run shops.

This is the first time we've been to a BKT shop located within a shopping complex, which heightened our apprehension. 

welcoming entrance

tasteful decor

can hardly wait

BKT!

Brendan going hard at it

actually pretty good

not your traditional BKT shop

but Brendan didn't care

We were glad we were wrong! Though not as ‘tasty’ (very, very subjective) as some of the best we’ve had, it ranks in between the decent shops we’ve tried. Yes, it’s marginally more expensive but you’ve also paying for certain comforts most traditional shop don’t (or can’t) offer.