Post-Pandemic Reflections and Memories

  Immediately the next day following Assumption Feast Day this year, I rushed myself to the polyclinic with hideous knee pain stretching from the lower thigh to my shin.  The affected area was raging red, painful and swollen.  I experienced stiffness and my leg felt like it weighed a tonne, any attempt to move it was restricted.  Upon examination by the doctor on duty, he wrote me a referral letter and ordered me to check myself into A&E without any delay.  He suspected it was deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a blood clot.  

On reaching SGH A&E, the Grab driver went out of his car to ask for a wheelchair for me.  I am deeply grateful to him.  As this was my first time on my own at SGH, I had to seek assistance from the nurse whenever my queue number was called.  After vital stats were taken, I waited my turn to see the doctor.  It was a lady doctor, she looked overworked.  She examined me and said it was unlikely DVT as my pulse was normal.  I was sent for an X-ray for further investigation.  Results show that there was no fracture but there was fluid between the kneecap which is causing the inflammation and pain.  The wear and tear of the knee cartillage has also deteriorated over the last 10 years since my last X-ray taken.  I was given painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine till my next visit was scheduled with the Orthopaedic Sport Joint Centre at the Outram Community Hospital (OCH).

Dr Lee Kong Hwee (Senior Consultant) saw me on the first visit at OCH where my brother took leave to accompany me.  My brother asked him if I would be wheelchair bound, and he replied in the negative, while expressing surprise at my brother's query.  He recommended physiotherapy and was able to book a slot that same day.  After having gone for 4 physio sessions to date, I am still unable to walk without a walking aid out of my house.  I need to be on a wheelchair to go to church on Sundays with my family.  Pain persists daily and I require painkillers 3 x a day.  It has been almost 3 months and still nursing this knee injury.  On my last visit, the doctor has ordered a MRI scan to rule out any meniscus tear.  This is scheduled for 14 Nov, 6.15pm.

"The Lord givest, The Lord takest away..Thy Will be done." 

During the past 4 years when I stopped work to take a break and be a stay home mum, I have been blessed to do the things I wanted to do when I could not afford the luxury of time and space to when I was working these past 30 years.

In retrospect, the pandemic had given me a chance to slow down, take things easier, spend more quality time with my loved ones.

I took up several courses related to my interest:-

1. Talent Transformation (a 12-module course on makeup, skincare, grooming, dining etiquette, voice, image, style and accessories, colours)

2. Nagomi Pastel Art - Finger Painting 

3. Basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certification

1. Cake Baking Course @ Allspice Institute

4. IT courses : Data Visualisation, Personal Data and Protection Act Course, HR Emerging Technolgies for Operational Excellence

Spiritual Courses

1. Bible study over 4 weeks of Advent by Br Clarence 

2. Morning Glory 33 days retreat - Consecration to Our Lady 

3. Catholic Family Life zoom classes

4. Salvation History

5. Zoom Rosary, Online Mass and Prayer sessions

6. LifeRunners Pray/Walk Rosary in Bishan Park, MacRitchie Petai Trail

Outdoor activities

1. Total Body Workout (every Thursday) led by ActiveSG PFTI Annie Long

2. Morning Walks 

3. Sunset Walks

4. Hiking

5. Experiential Day Tours - SRV vouchers

a.  Marina Bay Cruise with Seafood Dinner

b. Cable car pass, Luge and Skypass

c. Dining with family

d. Dining with friends

D💖tes and speci💖l moments with my Hubby John 

1. Walks

2. Staycation - 

a. Goodwood Park Hotel (3D 2N):- visited Botanic Gardens and the Heritage Museum, Orchid Garden, Orchard Rd Plaza Singapura Swensens, Late night movie at Lido Theatre - Musical then walked back to hotel up the slope.  This was the happiest, most adventurous and exhilarating date we had since we first got married.  Felt like our second honeymoon 😍😘💥

b. Sofitel Sentosa

3. 2021 - We celebrated our 15th anniversary lunch at Delifrance Jelita (found this place cosy withnice ambience) and Hubby gave me a ring as the original wedding ring outgrew my finger.  Later in the afternoon we kept our appointment with Fr Jose Lopez for individual confession and a private paraliturgy with Holy Communion.  Fr Lopez blessed the ring and lay hands over both of us, invoking a special blessing for our marriage and family.  

  

Precious Moments with my Dad

1. 347 Coffee shop lunch on weekdays and Sundays after Mass

2. Walking around Central to shop for fruits at Liverpool, Kingston, have lunch together at Blk 724 Yong Tau Hoo famous stall, famous Eunos Family Mee Rebus, Penang Prawn Noodle Soup/Dry (Central S11)., Rasa Sayang Western Food S11 now moved to 347. 

3. Fri Lunch at M'sia Boleh - Oyster Omelette, Penang Kway Teow

4. Family meals - Birthday celebration of Dad, Mum and siblings and our families at Swensens, Jia Hao (Farrer Hotel), Peach Garden Thomson, Spice Brasserie (Parkroyal Hotel Kitchener Rd) 

 

Volunteer Activity

1. Silver Generation Ambassador - Seniors Engagement Preventive Health Visits

Attended the basic and refresher course at MND Complex. Ongoing Webinar classes and quiz assessments on the Wizlearn Portal.

Completed and passed the 5 sessions of OJT with Division Lead. Did over 25 visits with my partner covering blocks 200+, 300+ and 400+ in Ang Mo Kio.

Engaged the Seniors in both Communicator and Recorder roles.

Attended Cluster Group and TJ Learning Days and Team building Days, CNY gathering with community stakeholders at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.

2. KidsRead Volunteer at Down Syndrome Association (Singapore) 

Every Saturday afternoon for an hour, together with the team of KidsRead volunteers, we take turns to read a age-suitable library book to junior group some of whom have severe learning disabilities.  We alternated our roles with guiding them in corresponding workbook activity. 

I handheld them to trace the spelling of words, prompted them to match the pictures with words. Filled in gap of extra time with songs and action for the junior learners to follow and sing-a-long. I was able  to build rapport with the learners to actively engage them in this reading and workbook programme.

3. Teck Ghee Vista Residents Network 

Tasked in 2022 by Chairman Mr Ken Han to form a Health and Wellness Workgroup. 

Together with my co-workgroup member, Mr Peter Kow, we organised a Stress Management and Self-Care Workshop over zoom for our Teck Ghee Vista Residents.  This was held in conjunction with  Mental Health Day on 10 October, 2022.