Thought on SG55

 2020 is Singapore’s 55th birthday. The last time I blog was 5 years ago. How time flies. 

Today is 17th Aug 2020. In the past 7 months, not just Singapore, the world is on lock down due to COVID-19. The infection continues to rise daily and looks to last for a while till something happen, a vaccine, or the virus starts to be less contagious and less deadly. 

For me, my personal lock down started on 23rd January 2019, almost 1 year and 7 months ago.  That is the day my hyperactive life hits a standstill. Everything happened in a flash. I was on the way to view the airplane landing, looking forward to take some photos and videos, enjoying the sunny afternoon, and looking forward to head home after that... and I hit a wall. Or more like I was hit by a wall. It’s not just a wall, it is a wall formed my two trucks, one on each lane of a two lane road. There is no room for me to escape, at all. The best part is: I did not see this coming, from behind.

What happened after that was like A dream that I want to wake up too, telling me that its a nightmare and I just need to wake up and things will be back to normal. Most time it works. But not this one. Everything happened so fast. At CGH the doctor asked me to make a decision to amputate my foot, to save me from further infection. It was a tough decision to call when I was still feeling the pain on my left foot after the crush.  I signed the consent form and went ahead with the amputation for my first 3 ops. And on the 4th ops, on the 4th Feb, which was on the eve of Chinese New Year, I undergo an eight hours operation, emerged with a 26cm wound on my right foot and over 20 stitches on my stump. 

So my quarantine starts from 23rd Jan 2019. I have been home bound, if not bed bound most of the time. Trying to keep myself busy on bed, doing doodling on my iPad, read a few books on Subash Ananad and Prosecutor from Glenn Knight. Managed to travel overseas in 2019, mostly on wheelchair assist at the airport. It looks like I have more travel in 2019 compare to 2020. 

My 5th Ops was on 26th Aug 2019, follow by my 6th ops on 8th July 2020. 

I have been home bound more than most people, since Jan 2019.  I can understand those who have been very active, always travel, some weekly and all of a sudden, everyone is staying at home.  

We have to find things to do, at home.  Stay safe and hang in there. 

Ducati Scrambler

Visited Ducati showroom last Sunday afternoon.
Among the bikes on display, the Scrambler stands out with it's retro design, low seat and very comfortable riding position.
The test bike is the Icon Yellow model and the actual bike looks gorgeous than the pictures shown.
With the yellow stripe helmet it's going to be a fun ride on the Scrambler.

Thought on SG50

While Singapore celebrated SG50, my thought has been on my elder sister Le Khin. She would have been 50 years old this year.had she not pass away at the tender age of 42 eight years ago. She had developed a brain tumor at the age of 32 and went through the chemotherapy and alternative medication. All was well when the cancer subsided after 5 years and we believed that her improvement was the most significant when she came back and stay with mum and dad.
However the cancer came back again when she returns to the States. On the fateful day I got a call from Z that she has fainted at home and the doctors said she has 48 hours to live.  My head was spinning when I heard that. After I had composed myself, I called up dad and mum and my brother who was at Houston.  He was able to fly in immediately and I took the next available flight to Baton Rouge, via Chicago and St Louise.
When I arrived at the St Louise Hospital. The sight of her was heart wrenching. She had tubes through her nose and arms and she was very weak. It was just an unbearable sight.  We discussed  options for her with the doctor, bearing in mind that Le Khin did not want another round of chemo.  When we shared that with the doctor, the advise was to do hospice care. A social worker came over and explain to us the procedure of hospice care at home, including setting up a hospital bed at home. It then dawned on me that we had to either find alternative care for her or she's going to wait to die. It's going to be a very painful process.
When the tubes were removed and she was awake, she became very alert and cheerful. We were very happy for a while. I had setup Skype so that she can chat with dad at home and things were looking rosy for a moment.  Next mum and sisters came and visit her at home and she was able to move around for short distances. It was late November or December and the weather was cold outside but inside the house, it was warm and joyous.
For the month of December, things were looking up.
Came January 2007 she started to take longer naps. We could see the drop in her energy level and she  tired easily, lying in bed most of the time.
On the 29th Jan 2007 I got a call from Z, crying on the other end of the phone. She has passed away peacefully in her sleep.
So during SG50, while my thought is with Singapore and wish our Nation to continue the next 50 years and my kids and loved one can enjoy the country's progress, my thought also go to my sister Le Khin. May you rest in peace and I will aways treasure you as my sister, always.