Side Effects, Though "Very Rare" Can Be Real!

The Source of my "Unhappyness"?

Onchofin, Terbinafine - Anti-Fungal ?

I'm much better compared to my last post.

No more dark thoughts.

Now, it is just me, frustrated, constipated and shedding!

I immediately improved after I stopped the above anti-fungal meds.

I've been on it for the past two weeks and little did I know it messes with me head!

The "Unhappyness" grew, I cried and told my hubby I wanted to give Sophia away!

I love Sophia, how could I even think of such!!!!! Idiot ME!

I've completed first month's treatment, two more months to go!

Must remember to pinch and not let myself drift away !!

Three months treatment just to get rid of nail fungal!!

20-Feb-2013 : To go FPP or NOT?

5 More Days to hotel hospital admission day (25/2)

What is FPP?

FPP stands for Full Paying Patient Scheme at selected Government Hospital in Malaysia.

Sort of like a private section, where patient gets to select their own specialist, comes with priority in-patient facilities but do not expect to be treated like a 'diva' in 'real' private hospitals.

Below is the estimated cost, obtained from Hospital Selayang.
The other hospital offering the same scheme is Hospital Putrajaya.

I am posting this because I remember google'ing' like mad for cost estimates.
So hopefully, it will help others who are now google'ing' like mad.
"Estimated Cost of Delivery under FPP in Selayang Hospital"

Am I going for FPP?
Very likely, with much support Aunt LL :)

My only worry is, should there be complications and I'm needed to stay much longer ... the hospital bill will creep-up... and up....
Then again, I've been told that I can exit from FPP, at any time upon settling all outstanding.

Why am I going for FPP?
A specialist will be sure to perform the c-sec and stitch me up after ... without FPP, I may end up with a trainee - I've heard of horror stories.
A little privacy, with a single room - fingers crossed rooms are available upon admission.
And, should Little Binny ends up in NICU - it will be under government rates, not FPP.

Please pray, purr that all will be well, smooth and safe for little Binny and I! :)

Little Missy Binny : Echogenic Focii

The arrow points to "Echogenic Focus" / "Echogenic Foci" / "Bright Spot" on her heart (left ventricle) discovered during a Little Binny's private scan at 22 weeks.

Yesterday I had another detailed fetal scan. This time, it was at PPUM (Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya) - similar to the private scan I had, they found the bright spot on Missy Binny's heart. Rest appear normal and she's growing well. :)

What is Echogenic Focus?

An echogenic focus is a “bright spot” in the heart that can be seen on an ultrasound. Most of the time an echogenic focus is seen in the left ventricle of the heart. This is NOT a heart defect, it does NOT change the function of the heart, and it does NOT cause heart disease. Usually the bright spot is a small calcium deposit and is a normal finding.

Refer to :- http://www.med.unc.edu/nursing/programs/women/womens.ed/english/Echogenic%20Focus.pdf
(A very good reference.)

However, it can be a soft marker for chromosome changes, like Downs.

Meaning, it can be nothing or something.

In my case, it is a relief to know that EF is an isolated finding as rest appears normal BUT, as I am 35 years old, it puts risks for chromosome change higher.

Bloggie friends, please pray that all be well and healthy for Missy Binny and I.

Urine - Protein +3, Blood +3, Leukocytes +2

Dear Krazy Kidneys,

I know there's Little Binny's waste that you need to process too.
It can be a little overwhelming.

Please be good?
I promise to drink lots of water ... barley water...

Your fairy god-mother (the Nephrologist) wants to see us after New Year, second day of 2013 to be exact.

And, we have a date on Christmas day to collect 24H urine, to submit on 26/12.

Be good and strong Kidneys! Love ya lots too!!

We need to be strong for Little Binny!


Yours Truly,

Krazy-Ma

Today 19 weeks, 1 day

Yay!

I am now 19 weeks, 1 day pregnant!

Although I must say that I look rather 'flabby'.

And, I need a haircut badly - looking very much like a 'time-escaped' cave-woman from centuries ago.

Went for my check-up / follow-up at the hospital on Wednesday.

Thing is ... my blood & urine lab works came back 'abnormal', but didn't worsen ..

(detected + protein, +++ blood, ++ leukocytes in my urine...)

(hemoglobin 7.8!!!)

My kidney function seems okay,

My blood pressure is normal,

I have no pedal edema,

I do not have Beta Thalassemia,

And,

Little Binny is estimated at 236g! Growing correspondingly...

I guess it is all good?

Still can't tell if Little Binny is a Boy or a Girl!

(the doc who did the scan didn't really try, sigh... after all it is a public hospital, can't really demand much!)

Little Binny : 15 weeks + 5 days

Such a relief to see you ...
First thing you showed us is your butt... how nice...
Then those little movements, aaahhh.... makes mommee so happy la...

Mommee's hemoglobin ain't doing too well - at 7.9 now. Doc mentioned blood transfusion, but looking at Mommee's tough look - she said maybe only when I start feeling 'dizzy' - Yikes?
And of course, there's the blood and protein in Mommee's urine to worry about....

Daddee been very helpful too - smashing red dates and removing its pits to boil "red dates drink" - known to increase blood.

Momme is on antibiotic now, yeah, perhaps you have tasted some of it in the amniotic fluid - not very tasty eh? Don't worry, there's a dozen of pudding in the fridge for Momme to eat .... :)

And, oh... more iron, doc prescribed 600mg of iron tablets, which comes with a note....

"This medicine can cause constipation and black stool / faeces / shit / poop / fecal matter / ordure.

(Important matter has a great pool of synonyms... thus do not under-estimate ... sh*t)

Avoid alcoholic drink."

I must be very careful, if one day, my shit is pink - I must head to the ER immediately...

Pink makes me think of "Hello Kitty"... :)

Little Binny : 15w 1d

Dear blog-blog,

Yay! Second Trimester.

Little Binny is now size of an apple!
Another Yay!

My energy level is like a roller-coaster,
Sometimes I roll like a champion,
Sometimes, I feel like a coaster, with a heavy mug on top of me.

Today, I had my blood drawn for next Monday's appointment.
I am sooooo worried.
Very worried.

Must think good things.
I must!

I still don't look pregnant. BUT .... if I suck in my stomach, I see a little baby bump!
Anyway, I now weigh less than before I got pregnant. No thanks to this weird "meat aversion", diarrhea and feeling full most of the time!

Next week, Nephro - Monday,
Private OBGYN - Tuesday (Ultrasound!)

Looking forward to see Little Binny on Ultrasound!!

A Bumpy Road ...

"...a bumpy road ahead..." that was how the Specialist puts it.
A bumpy road for Little Binny and I.
My hemoglobin dipped further. Now at 8.2
My albumin dipped further. Now at 30
There's significant protein (0.53) in my 24H urine protein... and +4 blood in my urinalysis.

"if you don't feel well ... go straight to the ER, don't wait ..." that was how she ended our appointment for today.

My meds are all upped.
More preds, more azathioprine ...


Pee Ass :-  Little Binny,
Looks like the road ahead will be a little bumpy.
Have faith my little one. It will all be okay.

My First Maternity Wear ....

Bought my first maternity blouse yesterday .... because there's this 50% off the tag!

Now moving on to more 'fleshy' photo ..

Do you think this look like a baby bump (finally), layer of solid fat or too much wind?

At the moment, I am pregnant and confused.

Very confused.

With many things.

Don't even know where to begin.

Docs at the OBGYN dept sucks.

Little Binny 12w 4d waves "Hi"

Gimme a high-five!

Little Binny measures 12w 5d, 6.28cm.

Did my MGTT (Modified Glucose Tolerance Test) at Hospital Selayang yesterday.

Started an hour late due to a broken lab printer. 

Poor nurse had to go sourcing around for a spare one while those waiting were staring at her, hungrily ... yes, there were several hungry, expecting women who have not eaten since 10 pm, night before....

First blood was taken at 9.00 am. Then I was given this Super Sweet, Super Yucky, plain Sugar Water to drink. One mug. I finished mine in record-breaking 5 minutes, some ladies were still struggling!

Off I go and wait for 2 hours before the second blood test.

2 hours ... of waiting, tummy filled with modified glucose. No wonder some women puke.

I lay down horizontally on the waiting chairs and took little naps. It is quite a struggle because no food / drink is allowed until, after the second blood test.

Not so hungry. Blood is probably infused with so much sugar that I felt sleepy.

Consider this as sugar-overload.

Whole thing ended at about 11.15... and off we go for a private NT scan. :)

Little Binny 11w 1d

Little Binny 11w 1d measures 11w 5d!!

4.48 cm

Little Binny sure feels cosy, protected by by my layers of adipose tissue!

To see Little Binny moving is priceless!

The doctor did a "gender guess" during the scan.

So what say you?

Boy or Girl?

Pee Ass :- Having blood in nostril, blood in phlegm ..... 'googled', seems like it is common in pregnancy?? Hmmm...

Layer? Baby Bump?

Like Onions - I have layers...

And being pregnant - I should have a baby bump...

And yet, my layers prevail....

Muahaaaa.....

Pregnant Ms. Michelin

Pee Ass :- Having very, very stuffy nose ... breathing with my mouth. Afrin works wonder but I am sooooooo afraid I'll become addicted. Perhaps, I am having Pregnancy Rhinitis?

Pee Containers : 24-Hours Collection

I share with you, my bloggie friends - The "Pee" Containers!

The plastic one is the old version, while the green-paper type is the new-chic looking one!

I've been subjected to spend my weekend to pee in containers - 24-hours per container, thus the best time to do it is full 24-hrs on Saturday & Sunday respectively, then submit samples to the hospital on Monday morning.

How exciting....

One is to check for 24-hours Urine Protein, the other one is for 24-hours Urine Creatinine.

All this is due to the presence of blood in my urine +3.

Thank goodness, protein was negative but they are checking anyway.

I've been feeling very, very, very tired lately. Sleeping many hours a day.

Very likely caused by drop in hemoglobin count - it is now 9.3.

Hungry but one bite I am already full.

The only thing I long for is Mango.

I love Mango.

I want Mango.

Perhaps Binny inside me shares the same taste for Mango.

I must go find some Mango. 

My Little Pink Book !

The Little Pink Book, also known as Buku Merah Ibu / Hamil is a must for those planning for their prenatal follow-up / delivery at public (government-funded) clinics / hospital.

My Little Pink Book :)

Waited more than 3 hrs before I get to see "Little Beanie" on the screen. Measures 9 weeks with heartbeat. :) ** Heartbeat flickers on the screen ... :) 

Grow well "Little Beanie".... 

Pee Ass :- Dandruff-Attack. Bumps, Dandruff all over ME head! 

Dear Tooth Fairy,

You can keep your 'dollar'....

And I'll keep my teeth!

Two dentists think it is "Tooth Sensitivity"...

I think, "Tooth Fairy" is trying to get to me teeth!!!

I have just finished paying off last year's dental bill!!!

I don't need another one la!!

Aaarrrghhhhhh

Angry Birds

!#@$$@%$# - Fingers Swollen, Muscle ache, Joint Pain - feeling ancient ...
Deja-Vu?

At least I am still able to type.

I must stop playing Angry Birds!!!!
Long hours of trying to elastic birds to kill pigs is not good for lupus

A Mousey Cheer!

To be honest, I've been feeling pretty low lately.
I feel like a car, running on first gear. I feel so heavy. So lost.

Medically, I am in remission, but, but why do my joint and muscle aches like mad when I wake up in the morning??? I have forest of fungal growing in patches behind my back. Whyyyyy???? Sickening. I hate not knowing. I hate having to complain to the doctor again. I hate being stared at .. I hate having my steroids upped again....

Then, came a mouse ...

A bright little mousey made me smile :)

Her name is Fifi, with a precious little note ...

Fifi is mine, and she will keep me happy.

Thanks The "O" for the wonderful Birthday present! I love it!!!

P:S: I'll keep her away from the cats! :)

Cutting Me Hair

Had my haircut, not too many hours ago..

According to the almanac ....

"You Will Accumulate Wealth"!!!!

Yay!!

I missed yesterday's "Great Power will Come to you"!

Could have ruled the world.

Happy Dong Zhi Festival!!

Also known as "Winter Solstice Festival"

Where balls of various sizes are served!!!

Enjoy Your Tang Yuen (glutinous rice balls) tonight!

P:S: We had supermarket Tang Yuen filled with Black Sesame Paste!!! Super Yummy!!

Rock Sugar + Ginger + Dates as the sweet base! (See above!)

Saturday .... And I'm stucked with ....

8TV

NTV7

TV3

TV1

4 out of 5 Free Channels covering the same event -  live - what great entertainment value ...

... on Saturday...

The only sane channel is TV2 ...

Only in Malaysia...

(Un)Proudly in Malaysia...

Brainwashing with Bleach by force.

Repeat after me ...

"Vote for ............."

"Vote for ............."

"You will get free nasi lemak every morning...."

"Teh Tarik tooo..."