Still in Awe with My Darling Girl

My little princess is growing up fast. By the end of this month, she will be 1 year old. Not going to celebrate big time. Just a nice family get together. My darling girl, as I sometimes call her, is not too fond of crowd. Simply because we don't take her out often, what with H1N1 brewing. Heard from my regular doc's nurse that strain #2 is out and about. And since our so called H1N1 vaccine is supposedly available this month, they couldn't really answer me if this vaccine is effective on this mutated strain. Sigh! Anyway, as I was saying, my little girl doesn't take to kindly to strangers - good and bad in a way. So, a small gathering with family people will be nice.

Compared with her 2 brothers, 'Mei Mei' (little sister) is more delicate and smaller boned even though she has long legs - thank God! I'm still in awe with her, and considered ourselves very blessed to finally have a daughter after 2 precious boys. It's really amazing how little baby girls turn out feminine and more 'manja'. Same with some of my friends'. The docs would tell us that it's due to the chromosomes and the female hormones blah blah. But really... :)

We can see more of her pearlies on both the upper and lower gums now. Soon after, I will expect her to give some sharp bites as did her brothers. She knows quite a bit too. The Chinese would say that girls learn to talk faster. Not sure about that but I think that being the youngest help to speed things up a bit. If she wants someone or to go somewhere, she knows to point in that direction with her cutie finger. We didn't consciously teach her but I guess she picked it up when we speak to her, pointing out things to her.

Some of her words - 'Daddy' is very clear though she calls both her Mummy and Daddy 'Daddy', 'Nen nen' for milk, 'fiss' for fish, 'bao bao bao' to get someone to carry her, 'go' as in really go. She tries to imitate but still yet to say 'Mummy' :p. And Her Daddy melts every time she calls him. Definitely had him wrapped around her little finger :)

My little girl loves music. When she hears music, she will start to rock her body and bouncing her bum. Just hope that she wouldn't be a 'disco kaki' when she grows up, haha!

And to think we wanted to stop at just 2 boys. My darling girl was an 'accident'. We didn't plan for a 3rd child and in fact considering not to take it through. I can't thank God enough that we made the right decision to keep her. Truly the baby of the family and our only darling girl, I hope we wouldn't spoil her.

Little Rachel Recovering. It's Mummy's Turn Now - lol

Little Rachel's fever finally stopped recurring since yesterday ... after 6 days 6 nights of me freaking out. Her rashes broke out on Sunday..spreaded on Monday.. and on the way to recovery now. She is still having rashes all over but it is less red and swollen now. The better outcome from this ordeal is that her double eyelid emerged again - she's cute with it.

Some people advised me to give her young coconut water to reduce her body heat in view of the viral infection or 'kar mar' in cantonese. I asked my confinement lady - they know alot about such things and chinese remedies :) - she said coconut water is not suitable for my little girl since she is under 1 year old. Cause 'wind' she said. The better is to look for a Chinese medicine called 'ling yung' and 'sai ngau' and double boil with a bit of rock sugar for 2-3 hours. It will help reduce body heat and detox. At the chinese medicine shop, I got the 'ling yung' (look like shredded white flakes') plus some other stuff prepacked. Unfortunately, 'sai ngau' has been banned by government. When asked about the young coconut water again, same advice. Don't give my little girl. Combined with the chinese medicine, it will be too 'cool' ('leong' in cantonese) for her which will lead to cough. Boiling the medicine now. Gonna feed her tonight and see if it works.

As for me... I have been having dry cough and mild flu for over a month. This was the remnants of the last cough and flu that I had almost 2 months ago. I have been going to quite a few GPs to try and get rid of it. Didn't work. I had it really bad this morning. Eyes tearing, nose running, heavy head and coughing like mad. I was finally referred to an ENT specialist. Went today. Diagnosed 'chronic allergy la-di-la-di-la' - sorry forgot the other half of what he said :). It's related to bronchitis. What actually happened was my earlier virus aggravated my sinus allergy and it has worsen since then. The mucus has flowed backwards into my throat and lungs causing my frequent and worsening dry cough. My nose - the insides - were so swollen, blocking air passage. That's why all cough syrup and antibiotic didn't work for me. It wasn't virus infection. Which is kinda good thing - coz I want to rule out H1N1. I had to go on 2 weeks medication and follow up with him again. Worse case - if this doesn't - I have to do a scan to check my sinuses. I hope not!

I told my friend who had a similar problem - prolonged dry cough and such - and advised him to seek specialist advice. Any sickness prolonged (though mild) is not good. Normal GPs may not know how to treat or even have the right medicine to give -my GP told me :(

There ... the story of the week for me - countless visits to docs :) ;p

Now My Little Girl Has Rashes - what else?!

My poor little girl woke up with rashes all over her body. Fever came back but mild. Took her for another round of doctor's check and advice. Apparently, it is what the Chinese calls 'kar mar' (direct translation: fake measles) or otherwise known as viral infection. However if fever persists for another day, we have to take her back tomorrow for blood test to check the possibility of dengue. But doc was quite certain that it is viral. Sigh! Will it never end? My poor little girl is so afraid of the doctor now. She screamed and cried when the doctor checked her. But at least the H1N1 part was cleared. According to my friend who did the H1N1 screening (Swab) test, it was a pretty painful process. They use a long thin plastic stick where the end is like a baby's cotton bud. Then the cotton bud end is inserted into the nose - all the way up inside - to get the mucus. My friend told me that she was tearing when the doctor did it. It was no wonder little Rachel was screaming like mad. My poor little girl!

At first, we thought the rashes was due to heat. As we were told by our folks not to bath our children when they are sick or having fever, Rachel went without bath for a few days. She was just wiped down carefully. When we told the doc, we had another lesson :) ;P! Always bath our kids even when they are having fever. But refrain from wetting the head/hair. Doc's advice! If not, the film of oil and dirt would have caused the body temperature to rise. Hence, we may see a rise in temperature or even a slight fever which could otherwise be none. Cleanliness is important even while sick. Just don't wet the head. This is another advice which contradicts our older generations belief. In my case, I believe and will follow the doc. It makes sense and they are after all the professionals.

Rachel was given calamine to soothe her rashes. We are not to administer paracetamol to see if fever still persists. Looks like I have to go to work tomorrow worrying and on standby :(

Little Rachel is Well

Thanks to all well wishers. Little Rachel is on the road to recovery.

After 2 days 2 nights of high fever despite medicine, her fever was finally broken yesterday evening. So far, it never recurred... thank God! Earlier yesterday, our pediatrician came back to report negative on H1N1 screening test but warned me to look out for rashes which may be a signal for dengue. One hurdle over, another to watch out for. But the antibiotic must have worked. Relief!

She has been good and active today. Still having a very light cough. Hopefully the antibiotic can get rid of it soon.

It's late. Going to bed now. Will probably blog again tomorrow.

Nite, Nite!

Sponging My Kids To Bring Down Fever

I spent the whole night sponging my little Rachel to bring down her high fever. Of course, she didn't like that coz it was wet and she was half asleep. But it is important.

After administering medicine... normally I go with paracetamol or Neurofin first and if it gets worse, I'll go for Rectal Suppositories (past 39 degrees). I have earlier asked my pediatrician about this - thank God! And it's better to get the medicine from pediatricians so that they can advise you the right dosage and timing.. as well as if there is any possibility of allergic reaction - you'll never know!

During a fever, sponging is important to bring down a child's fever. Here's what I normally do:

1. Administer oral medicine first, if it's not done already
2. Switch off the air cond but keep fan on at low.
3. If there is shivering, I'd cover him/her for a very short while coz the fever will follow very soon. Then take off the blanket.
4. Prepare a bowl of luke warm water and 1 or 2 soft face towels.
5. Then soak the soft towels in the luke warm water and remove excess water.
6. Place the towels on the forehead covering the eyes (very important), neck, body and back until towels are dry or become hot.
7. Then rinse the towels in the bowl of luke warm water again and repeat. I'd sponge the palms of hands and base of feet if they are hot too.
8. Keep the thermometer handy to see if the fever is coming down
9. Repeat until fever is low or gone.
10. Change the child to dry light clothing. Do not overheat him/her.
11. Feed plenty of liquid
12. Then go to the doctor to check out the cause once available. In my case, most high fever happened past midnight. So I had to take time to bring the fever down. If it happens to you, don't wait. Go immediately.

Someone used to tell me to use ice cold water for sponging. No go! Do not sponge with ice cold water or alcohol. Alcohol would bring down the heat too fast.

I read somewhere that if the fever gets too high, then strip the child and put him in a tub of waist high warm water and sponge him down. I haven't tried this yet, rather I'm not brace enough to try it ye :( , as most of the time, the sponging works for my kids but I have to be very patient. It takes me more than half an hour to an hour to bring down the fever, and until my pediatrician is available.

Ya, I know some of the older folks would think that this is nuts! Some of them think that covering up the person with loads of thick blankets until sweat breaks is the best way to cure. Now, that is nuts! DON"T ever do that! It can fry the brains! That's why we have some mental retards due to high fever!!

Another strange advice from one of my doctors. You know the Kool Fever pack that is available in pharmacy? It seems that it doesn't work. Go for sponging instead. Well, it was an advice anyway. I have no idea! Why not check with yours? Let's share views.

Most important is to check if the child is active/alert, eating and drinking well. If he shows signs of lethargy, can't eat, can't drink and running a high fever.. or worse still, having a fit, that's a real danger sign. Rush him to the hospital immediately.

At the end of the day, I'm no doctor. Best ask your doc for advice in the event of emergencies. From my experience, not all doctors share the exact views. Happy to hear your feedback :)

Down with Flu and Fever Again

My little princess was having a fever last night. I gave her paracetamol to control the fever. But in the middle of the night - it's ALWAYS in the middle of the night!! -, it shot past 39 degrees. I was pretty worried what with H1N1 brewing in our country. She showed no signs of flu or cough yet but the fever was worrying. Sometimes, these other symptoms can come later. I have been having cough and flu for the longest time. I think I must have passed it to her. Ryan was also having a flu.

Hadn't had much sleep last night. Too busy sponging Rachel trying to bring the fever down. Even so it was still above 38 degrees.

Finally, I guess the suppository finally kicked in. I gave her half (because Rachel is less than 1 year old) the rectal suppository Voltaren 12.5mg (the wax like medicine that we insert into the rectum) when the fever reached past 39 degrees. I always have it ready in case my kids are down with high fever and so far, rectal suppositories helped to bring down the fever for a period. Her fever broke in the morning.

I took her and Ryan to the pediatrician. Rachel's throat was red. So, it wasn't teething that caused the fever. She had to take antibiotic, cough and flu medicine. The pediatrician told me to watch for persistent fever in the next 1 day. If it occurs, I have to take her again for the H1N1 swab test, just in case. The pediatrician said that even though my cough and flu was mild, I can be a a H1N1 carrier since my body resistance is stronger. But quite unlikely since I had no fever... BUT then again, just in case. She is still running a low fever between medicine doses. The good part is that she is very active and alert. The danger is really when the child is not alert and appears lethargic. I really hope that the fever would go off soon.

Being a mummy paranoid, I booked for flu vaccines and H1N1 vaccines when it becomes available. There is a waiting list! I'm past number 70! I asked the pediatrician if the H1N1 vaccine is safe with no side effects. He told me that it is and it's not something new. Just a production issue now - where demand is greater than supply. Assured, I booked for it. I should have asked if I can book for us adults too but forgot! Too much on my mind!

I hate it when my kids are sick... very stressed up worrying. Part and parcel of being a mum. And mum of 3 means that I have to expect domino effect! One sick, all sick!! Sigh!

Nice & Noisy Merdeka Weekend

I had a nice and noisy weekend babysitting my 3 kids and my nephew. Three boys and my baby girl - definitely noise, noise and noise. Every half minute, there will be someone shouting one of the boys' name. My hubby had to work during this Merdeka weekend unfortunately. What I thought could have been a boring quiet long weekend was just the opposite. My mom and my nephew came to stay with us. My nephew is the same age as Raymund... so, imagine double whammy on Terrible Three!!

Well, I contributed to the noise pollution too, trying to discipline the boys .. if it ever works. But I had good fun. I really enjoyed the warmth and children's happy voices... as well as the boys' constant fight over toys. They sure had great fun! I myself got to tend to my little garden. I'm in the midst of changing my landscape. Hot and sweaty work but satisfying.

My son Ryan just threw tantrum - he wanted his 'poh poh' (grandma) and didn't want to go to school tomorrow. We decided to give way and let him have another day holiday.You'll never know where the kindie kids went over the school holiday and if their parents are considerate ...H1N1! In fact, I was even toying with the idea of stopping his kindie attendance altogether (until next year) and get his kindie teacher to prepare homework/materials so that I can coach him at home. I'll see how on this. I may do just that if the H1N1 situation worsen.

Back to work tomorrow. Sigh! How I wish we have 7-days weekends! Ha, ha! Dreaming big time!

Vitamins and Supplements for my Kids

What with H1N1 still going on strongly ... death toll increasing... number of people affected rising... I can help but be very paranoid about it. Every time someone in my family contracted cough and flu, I get very worried about the possibility of H1N1 on my kids especially. The recent case about the death of a 3 year old baby due to H1N1 upset me badly. I can't imagine how his parents feel. There is nothing we can do about it but hope and pray that our kids and family are fine and healthy.

I'm now quite 'fanatic' :) about building my family esp my kids immunity. I've increased the dosage of Vitamin C for my family - I read on the web somewhere that vitamin C at a sufficient level would boost immunity. Strangely, some docs do not believe the wonders of Vitamin C. During my recent visit to a clinic, the doctor told me that it is just a belief that Vitamin C can boost immunity. A pediatrician also once shared the same view. After all my school education and so on, it is hard to stomach that. Anyway, no harm taking and I still believe vitamin C does help. We just have to remember to give them lots of water as these vitamins are quite heaty.

These are what my kids are taking now. I ran out of Vidaylin Mini Bear Gummies with Garden Vegetables when I took this picture. This is for replacement of fruits and vege which my kids don't frequently take. Here is a separate pix on it.

I just bought another supplement for my kids called Pureen Kids Chewable Milk Colostrum. My sons love it. If you are interested, check out this site about what it can do:http://www.ussummit.com.my/servlet/gateway?command=ShowcaseProductInfo&category=998443500143&id=1200513456408&catname=baby

H1N1 - Worried Sick for my Family

I don't know if this thing about H1N1 is being blown out of proportion or not but it sure scares me like hell. Not so for us adults but more so for my very young children. I have been googling trying to find out more but still getting the same generic info. Particularly high risk to those with medical problems, pregnant ladies, old people and children below 5years -- my children!

The Star news alerts which I subscribed from Maxis is not helping either. I get 'gleeful' death counts and people infected counts on daily basis .. and the number is increasing. What I don't get is what exactly happened. My husband has a doctor friend who actually commented that this H1N1 is not as scary as we think. Could be just a matter of opinion. He told us that the critical and casualties were mainly due to late or no treatment.

Well, whatever the case is, I have a baby and 2 very young boys. Even simple pneumonia is not something to be taken lightly. So, how so to prevent? I really don't know. I have heard that the mask is not really effective too. And how can I expect my 3 year old and baby to wear mask?? Short of becoming a hermit with our own food supply grown in the backyard, there is no 100% avoidance of H1N1... that's a scary thought.

During my recent visit to my doc (I was having a common flu), I had a chat with the doc. About vaccines and so forth. He told me that they are expecting the vaccine to come to Malaysia in Dec 09 and even so, the frontliners (ie hospitals, nurses and docs) will be given priority. By then, a lot more casualties would have happened. And then, there is this uncertainty about new drugs and their side effects. Sigh!

People around us are still traveling - probably because they had a great deal from the last MATTA fair - as well as being sent by their own company. No strict rules around that. Some people who came back visiting high risk countries just went about without self quarantine (in case they are in the incubation period). How irresponsible can you get?? Some companies treat H1N1 positive cases confidentially - no quarantine or even reporting to the Health Ministry. It is no wonder the virus spread!! On the other hand, I have heard some responsible company actually test their staff temperature every day before they get into the office and they have rules around people having flu (H1N1 or not) and travelling.

So I did the little I can do to help my family.

1. Increase Vit C intake (myth or not - I'll talk about this later)
2. For my husband and I - added Vit E and Garlic (Antioxidants)
3. Multi vits for my two boys
4. Appeton Infant drops for my baby girl
5. Scott's Emulsion for my boys
6. Plenty of water
7. People told me to take cooling drinks - eg herbal drinks ('leong sui'), coconut water , barley, fresh fruit juices
8. Double Boiled Snow Frog/'Suet kap' to reinforced the lungs amongst others - see here for recipe: http://www.joanne-momsays.blogspot.com/2009/05/snow-jelly-or-suet-kap-in-cantonese.html)
9. Keeping the house clean with disinfectant (Dettol)
10. Not touching the kids after a day's work until I wash my hands
11. Washing up my kids after a trip out

Now about pneumococcal vaccine, I just don't how true but a friend of mine was given an advice by his doctor to take pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia. I googled up and found an article about it but it is not exactly conclusive. For kids, the jab which is normally recommended by the pediatrician is Prevenar. But this is not part of the vaccine schedule - just an option and it's quite procey. My kids took it coz they are quite prone to high fever and ear infection to which this vaccine can help. As for the adults, the pneumococcal vaccine is not Prevenar but something else. Gotta ask the doc.

I really hope that this H1N1 thingy will be under control real soon. I get real upset when I hear that a child becomes a victim of the virus.