21st February 2009-Decisions

I had a long day. 

I went back to my parents' place to help my mum out with the housework. Usually I would be greeted by 3 furry creatures. However today, there were only 2 jumping around. One was struggling to stand up. The moment I saw Pingu, I knew that there isn't much time left.

I decided to give her a good bath. A lot of thoughts came to my mind while I was attending to her. I dealt with the other two dogs after I finish attending to Pingu until Han came and pick me up to send Pingu to the vet. We decided to do an enema first.

On the other hand, my dad had some difficulty passing motion. My mum attended to him immediately and soon after, he manage to discard the waste. :)

I told my dad about Pingu's health condition. My dad then gave me the authority to make a decision. I felt the responsibility & burden all stacked on me.I don't know which road I should take. I don't blame my dad for giving me this role as I understand his health condition too. Perhaps this is his way to teach me how to make decisions. I can't always depend on him to make the decisions.

My dad then told Han & I about his decision & the road that he wish to take to fight this battle. We heard him out and we respect his decision. We will support him all the way through and help him at all times.

My dad had visitors today. His UOB ex-colleagues. Thank you all for dropping by. I could see that my dad was very happy to have his ex-boss, Mr. Wong over. My dad even asked me to wait for him to come before I go out for lunch. Well, all of my dads' ex-colleagues who came were telling me the last time they saw me was when I was a little girl. haha.. TIME FLIES! :)

My dads' UOB ex-colleagues & their family members. 

This round of visitors did not sit on the stairs. haha. 

Many thoughts came to my mind throughout the day. I spoke to Han about it and he gave me his point of view. Spoke to my parents again just before going to the vet to see Pingu. My parents both have the same view but different opinions on how we should do the burial.

I have been the one who wanted her to come back after her operation in June 2007. The Dr gave us two options then. To put her to sleep or to keep her and feed her the best food that we can afford. I chose to keep her & my dad agreed. We kept her and her health has improved. However, at one point, her health started to deteriorate. Today is the day to decide again what the Dr proposed 1.8 years ago. 

We have decided to put her to sleep tomorrow. She will be put to rest at 10am. I met her for one last time and gave her all the love that I can on behalf of my family & those who adored her. I said a prayer and asked God to protect her and bring her to meet Happy & Shaggy (my two other dogs who passed away) in heaven.

I have never thought that something like this would happen as the other two dogs went off naturally. It is a very difficult decision to make. It takes a lot of courage to tell the Dr our decision. However, it is the best for her as she is suffering.

Here's to Pingu. The "human" dog. The tamest & most unselfish dog that we've ever had. She taught me that you don't have to fight with the others in able to get what you want. Just be yourself, you will still be loved & pampered. I love you Pingu. Thank you for coming into our lives. May you rest in peace. 

19th February 2009- Massage away!

My mum & dad has requested for me to massage/rub their backs before they sleep. Every time I massage them, I pray that the pain/burden/ache on their shoulders/back would go away.

Well, lucky thing, I can give a good massage. :) At least they would feel a little better after the massage.

My dad is feeling much better today. Tomorrow will be his first check up since his discharge. We will just have to wait and see what the Dr say his next step should be. My dad has a few questions for the the Dr and he will just have to make the wisest choice after seeing the Dr tomorrow. :)

Today is Han's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING! I'm sorry that I can't celebrate your birthday this year with you. Hope you'll have a good one with your parents. :) 

18th February 2009-The smell of food

The smell of food puts a smile on my daddy's face. :)

My mum was cooking our dinner (as in for my mum & I) & my dad was standing at the door. He said "Mmmm.. smells nice. Can I have a little taste of it?" 

Well, can't blame him as he has been eating porridge, soup & blended food. So my mum said he can taste the sauce. However, he didn't because the chicken didn't have much sauce.

Here's the chicken that got my dad drooling. Chicken Chop Mummy Woo style. :P

My dad had a number of visitors today. First it was one of my bestie's (Syaza) parents. They came by and gave my dad two boxes of birds nest. Thank you Aunty & Uncle for dropping by & for the thoughtful gift.

Since I wasn't around to take a picture of them. I thought take a picture of their gift! :)

Later in the evening, two of my dad's colleagues came by. I missed them also (was still on my way home). 

Here's the card that they gave. Well if you can strain your eyes a little, it's actually a card with a joke. :) It says. "Vincent, You're Missed At Work. There are people here who know you and like you and want you to get well.. Of course, a lot of others just don't want to get stuck with your work!"  :) 

2 of my dad's treasure hunt team mates came by at night. They brought more grapes! Their purpose was to pick up something from our house. They ended up hanging around and we all had a good chat. :)

My dad made a progress today. He manage to publish a post on his blog! 

Well Done daddy! Keep it up! :)

17th February 2009-What can daddy eat?

My mum & I were discussing what my dad can eat. She told me that my dad threw up today after eating Mee Suah. She thought that he would be able to digest it as it is soft. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

My dad is feeling much better now. He is back to eating porridge & soup. 

My parents' neighbours came by and again they were sitting on the stairs. Haha. I think we didn't have to buy any sofa for the house. Just get some cushions for guests to sit on the stairs. :)

They were quite impressed with my dads' progress. They also mentioned that it's amazing that my dad can walk up & down the stairs so quickly.

My dad is getting used to having visitors. He is very much a private person but he understand that everyone is concern. 

There's something new that I need to get for the house & for my dad. A weighing scale! Perhaps this would help motivate him to gain weight. :)

I read this article in Times. (My colleague subscribe to Times) The article is titled "How Faith Can Heal". I'm still reading it. So far it's very interesting. Shall see if I can summarize the article and hope it will help everyone.

16th February 2009-Home Theatre System

It's a super warm day! Ok, I've downgraded the weather today. IT'S A SUPER DUPER HOT! arggghhh! :P

Since it's a working day, it's back to the norm. My mum sending me to the station. She will pick me up from the station in the evening. My mum told me about her bringing dad home (to their house) today. She was nagging my dad the whole way cause my dad dismantled his home theatre system (HTS) all by himself. Besides that, he got to play with the 3 furry creatures at home too. I'm sure they gave him joy. He once told me that he missed the 3 dogs. Well, they are just so adorable, I miss them too.

My mum kept telling me about my dad not listening to her and she had to keep nagging him to stop. When they brought the HTS back, my mum warned him not to touch it. My dad asked my mum to help him but she refused. So my dad said that his daughter (meaning me) will do it for him.

Uncle Kien Ping & Aunty Lilian came. So Uncle Kien Ping helped my dad out. Eventually, my dad had to touch the HTS too. haha. Itchy fingers?

In my opinion, my dad loves these stuff. He wants to do it, let him do it. As long as he is happy. He knows whether he is in pain or not. I'm sure after going through so much at the hospital, he would know when to stop and ask people to help him. 

Here is daddy & Uncle Kien Ping fixing the HTS. Initially it was just me & Uncle Kien Ping fixing it but half way through I had to attend to my phone. Then my dad took over and he stayed there until it's fixed. The smile on his face when he got it fixed was priceless! When Uncle Kien Ping mentioned the word "projector", my dads' eyes immediately widen and he asked "You have a projector at home?" with a big smile. My dad is a fan of Liverpool Football Club and at his home, he enjoys watching Liverpool matches using the projector. (Yes, his house has a projector & a projector screen.) His projector broke down a few months back. So when my uncle mentioned "projector", it got my dad excited. :)

My mum complaint that her shoulders are aching. Perhaps from the sleepless nights last week. My dad helping her reliever the ache while watching tv. I always feel that you can show TLC at any age & I find it very sweet when old folks show TLC towards their partners. My parents are perfect examples. They are both in their early 50s and they are still holding hands when they are out shopping/walking. I would always tell Han, "My parents look so cute holding hands." :)

I read this entry on my dad's blog (shared with his treasure hunting mates) & it touched me. 

Here is the longer version of the reading that was mentioned in the entry.

Do Not Worry

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than they?

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

And why do you worry about clothing?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;

they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, 

even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, 

which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?"

or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?"

For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things;

and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

Today's trouble is enough for today."

Matthew 6:25-34

15th February 2009 - A day full of well wishers!

I started off my day very early. Went for breakfast with my hubby then we went for 8.30am mass at TTDI. I dropped Han off at Grand City, PJ to join his friends there. Well, he deserve some "Boys Time". 

Came home and just a while after, my dad welcomed his first group of guests for the day: the TREASURE HUNTERS! (a.k.a Pirates since they are always treasure hunting. :) )

I was very happy to see my dad laughing and talking to them. Although he had to speak softly. It was nice to have them over as it has liven up the house. Plus my dad needs to, as he puts it, borrow positive energy from them.

This moment reminded me of the movie "Sound of Music". My dad, Julie Andrews and the others are the kids surrounding her. Well, the only difference is my dad wasn't teaching them how to sing. :)

Thank you all for dropping by! :)

We had lunch after the treasure hunters left. My dad then took a short nap. The next group of visitors came: Daddys' colleagues.

The stairs seem to be my dads' favourite spot. His colleagues were shocked to see him sitting on the stairs but they joined him immediately. They sat there throughout the whole visit. :)

My in-laws came for the 2nd time this weekend. This round with my bro-in-law. It was nice to have them around too. It's always nice to have family coming around. Unfortunately, I couldn't catch any moment with my camera cause I was busy doing house work or just walking up & down settling stuff. haha. (I've done a lot today and I just kept doing & doing & doing. I think I better sit back & reflect what I've accomplished today.)

This photo was taken yesterday. My in-laws with Uncle Kien Ping's family.Han was showing them the Russian Doll that was given by Suresh. They were all fascinated by it. :)

When everybody left, I decided to do more house work. Washed our slippers & made orange juice. My dad then decided to take a walk outside. So I accompanied him. We walked about 15 minutes, just around the neighbourhood.

After dinner, daddy was talking to Han & I continued to do house work and then joined my mum at the living room watching tv. Uncle Kien Ping & family then came by as a daily routine. My dad would always advise my uncle not to come by but he would still come. Well, he is after all his only brother & sibling in Malaysia.

My cousin, Elijah playing a game of English Chess with Han. My dad made the wooden chess board himself. He made it many many years back. I think it's more than 20 years. I was chatting with my dad at the bar table this morning and he said that it's nice to play chess here. I told him I don't know how to play. Then he suggested to bring his chess set over. He only told me the basics & rules then my mum reminded him that he needs to rest. I have yet to play my first game of chess. :)

Brotherly talk. :)

14th February 2009- Discharged & Home Sweet Home

Well, not exactly home sweet home cause my dad moved to my house. :) But it's still good to be out of the hospital. :)

I'm happy to see my dad back to where he will be more comfortable. He went back to his normal self almost immediately. He sat on the living room sofa. In less than 30 minutes, asked for his laptop. haha. That's Vincent Woo. He was online while the tv is on. And no prize for guessing which channel he tuned in to also. (It's CNN!) He did take a walk around. Just to get some exercise.

Another good news is that my sister will be back for good! The Woo Family will be reunited next month! Double YAY!!

It's Valentine's Day. It's good that we are celebrating it together as a family. All at home even though we are all doing our own things. Han is working in the room, Daddy is busy downloading series for mummy, Mum nagging daddy to take a nap, Ee Wen talking to us via Skype & Me updating my blog and I am just glad to have everyone at home. :)

Daddy sorting out his letters. Spot the laptop?

Done with the laptop, now the PC. :) hahaha.. 

My mum gave up nagging my dad to take a nap. (A normal scene for me.)

Well, time for me to get some rest. Was cleaning up the house the whole day. From today onwards, I have to make sure my house is clean at all times. Well, I have to confess that I'm not as interested to do house work as my sister. But when I'm tasked to do it, I'll do my best. :)