An aunt was killed in a car accident. My mom was in shock and denial for some time before she finally begins to accept the reality. She hasn't been sleeping and is feeling exhausted emotionally and physically. She stayed up most of last night typing a tribute to my aunt. This helps her to cope with the loss. The funeral will be on Saturday. Hopefully, my mom can reach some form of closure and be able to move on.
Starting from tonight, my mom will adhere to her doctor's advice and take a prescribed medication that promotes restorative sleep. She need some good sleep/rest in order to be more functional and productive.
Emily and Peter will be coming home Friday morning. My mom is looking forward to seeing them. This definitely gives her morale a boost. She started her cooking frenzy already. Yesterday she did some baking. Today she shopped for ingredients to make wonton. Stuffed chicken wings will be on this weekend's menu.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Doctor's appointment
I am determined to impress my mom and to make her proud of me. This afternoon, my mom took me to see my doctor. Generally, when I realize that we are outside the doctor's office, I refuse to get off the van. Today, I got off and walked into the office without my mom dragging and pushing me in. That was nothing as compared to when the nurse called out my name to go with her. Instead of running towards the door trying to escape, I stood up immediately and followed the nurse to go inside. My mom was in shock. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Dental Appointment
I had an appointment to clean my teeth yesterday. Having a dental appointment for you may be as simple as getting there on time. For me, it requires a lot of preparations. One time, when my auntie cleaned my teeth, I clamped my teeth on the mirror. It horrified everyone present to hear the cracking of the glass inside my month. I wouldn't let go of my bite for a long time. Thank God the mirror did not shatter in my month. I continued to crush a few of my auntie's dental tools. The other times that I had my teeth cleaned were either under anesthetic or given medication to make me sleep.
I will not allow my teeth to be brushed properly and I have not had my teeth examined or cleaned for a few years. So, my mom would really like to have it done. She obtained a prescription from my doctor for a sleeping pill. She delayed my bedtime the night before. I was waken up early in the morning to help in making me tired in the afternoon. I was given the sleeping pill after I return home from my volunteering. My mom put me to bed in our van. I fell asleep almost instantly. When I started to snore loudly, my mom drove me to the dental office. I woke up when she turned the ignition off.
I could recognize the place and I immediately switched to a high alert mode. My mom tried very hard to coax me back to sleep, but I didn't feel safe to doze off. When it was time for my appointment, my mom used a wheelchair to wheel me in even though she didn't have any confidence that I would allow my teeth to be cleaned. I saw many familiar faces at the office - family and friends. That helped me to calm down a bit. My cousin (the dentist) came in and sat right next to me. While we were waiting in the parking lot, my mom explained to me that my cousin would be brushing my teeth for me. I started to make sense of what my mom was telling me.
When my mom told me to open my mouth for my cousin, I comply. Other than wiggling away from time to time, I allowed my cousin to clean my teeth. My mom helped in keeping my mouth open and she spoke to me calmly and praised me the whole time. My cousin managed to clean the front of both my upper and lower teeth. They didn't want to push their luck too much and decided not to do the entire job in one sitting. I will have to go back another time. May be or may be not. My cousin noticed that I have a wisdom tooth coming out and there is not enough room for it. I may have to go under anesthetic to get the wisdom tooth pulled out. In such case, any other dental work that needs to be done can be taken care of at the same time.
I will not allow my teeth to be brushed properly and I have not had my teeth examined or cleaned for a few years. So, my mom would really like to have it done. She obtained a prescription from my doctor for a sleeping pill. She delayed my bedtime the night before. I was waken up early in the morning to help in making me tired in the afternoon. I was given the sleeping pill after I return home from my volunteering. My mom put me to bed in our van. I fell asleep almost instantly. When I started to snore loudly, my mom drove me to the dental office. I woke up when she turned the ignition off.
I could recognize the place and I immediately switched to a high alert mode. My mom tried very hard to coax me back to sleep, but I didn't feel safe to doze off. When it was time for my appointment, my mom used a wheelchair to wheel me in even though she didn't have any confidence that I would allow my teeth to be cleaned. I saw many familiar faces at the office - family and friends. That helped me to calm down a bit. My cousin (the dentist) came in and sat right next to me. While we were waiting in the parking lot, my mom explained to me that my cousin would be brushing my teeth for me. I started to make sense of what my mom was telling me.
When my mom told me to open my mouth for my cousin, I comply. Other than wiggling away from time to time, I allowed my cousin to clean my teeth. My mom helped in keeping my mouth open and she spoke to me calmly and praised me the whole time. My cousin managed to clean the front of both my upper and lower teeth. They didn't want to push their luck too much and decided not to do the entire job in one sitting. I will have to go back another time. May be or may be not. My cousin noticed that I have a wisdom tooth coming out and there is not enough room for it. I may have to go under anesthetic to get the wisdom tooth pulled out. In such case, any other dental work that needs to be done can be taken care of at the same time.
Monday, August 3, 2009
My Favorite Cousin's Wedding Day
My favorite cousin got married on August 1. I do not understand abstract concepts, so I have no idea what a wedding is all about. I just know that there are music and lots of happy people. I had a great time at the banquet that evening. I laughed when everybody else laughed. I clapped when others clapped.
After my mom tucked me in for the night, I continued to chuckle. I sat up a few times and said to my mom, "Mommy . . ." I wanted to talk to her, but didn't know how to express myself. My mom figured that I must have wanted to tell her how happy I was. Every time my mom tucked me in again, she repeated my bedtime prayer to send me a strong signal for sleep. I finally dozed off at around 1:30 am.
After my mom tucked me in for the night, I continued to chuckle. I sat up a few times and said to my mom, "Mommy . . ." I wanted to talk to her, but didn't know how to express myself. My mom figured that I must have wanted to tell her how happy I was. Every time my mom tucked me in again, she repeated my bedtime prayer to send me a strong signal for sleep. I finally dozed off at around 1:30 am.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Emily's Wedding Day
We had rehearsal the night before Emily's wedding. On our way to the Hastings Lake Gardens, it rained and we were lucky that it did not rain during the rehearsal. I had no idea I was to be the best man and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was a bit nervous or tensed that evening because I didn't know what to expect. I moved away from my spot from time to time and I needed to be guided back. Overall, I listened reasonably well and did okay.
On the day of the wedding, I was reluctant to go up to the gazebo. Peter and Herman were very patient with me. They talked to me calmly and gently guided me up to where I was supposed to stand. I gradually calmed down and began to enjoy my role. I was relaxed and I smiled constantly.
God has blessed Emily and Peter with beautiful weather all day long. A lot of pictures were taken in the morning. The afternoon was too sunny and hot for more pictures, so we proceeded to Hastings Lake Gardens and took a rest at the community hall before the wedding ceremony. My mom loved the little balloons tied to the top of the Lego church Emily built years ago. This was Grandma's idea, which was copied from the movie "Up".
Edmonton was hit by a thunderstorm the next evening and apparently there was a tornado warning. It hailed in some parts of the city and the power was out temporarily for many homes. We heard from the news that some big trees were uprooted and there were damages to buildings, e.g. the front entrance of CN tower collapsed. Aren't we glad this didn't happen on Emily's wedding day!
On the day of the wedding, I was reluctant to go up to the gazebo. Peter and Herman were very patient with me. They talked to me calmly and gently guided me up to where I was supposed to stand. I gradually calmed down and began to enjoy my role. I was relaxed and I smiled constantly. 
God has blessed Emily and Peter with beautiful weather all day long. A lot of pictures were taken in the morning. The afternoon was too sunny and hot for more pictures, so we proceeded to Hastings Lake Gardens and took a rest at the community hall before the wedding ceremony. My mom loved the little balloons tied to the top of the Lego church Emily built years ago. This was Grandma's idea, which was copied from the movie "Up".Edmonton was hit by a thunderstorm the next evening and apparently there was a tornado warning. It hailed in some parts of the city and the power was out temporarily for many homes. We heard from the news that some big trees were uprooted and there were damages to buildings, e.g. the front entrance of CN tower collapsed. Aren't we glad this didn't happen on Emily's wedding day!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Oncology Follow-up Appointment
Grandma had a mammogram test done last week and she saw the cancer specialist at the WW Cross Cancer Institute yesterday morning. Everything is fine and Grandma does not need to see the specialist any more. She was instructed to see her family doctor every 6 months and take yearly mammogram test.
Again, the weather was great for my second Walk for Jesus on Sunday with my other friend. Supports continue to come in and I have now raised a total of $6,120. We walked down the River Valley Trail to the bank of the Saskatchewan River. There were so many canoes on the river that attracted me to lean on the fence to watch them glide downstream. My mom wishes she could take me on a canoe too as a new experience for me.
This week our weather resembles that of Vancouver. It is nice for our lawn to get a good soaking. We just hope that the rain is not here to stay for too long. My mom has been checking the weather forecast regularly. Yesterday, her spirit dampens when she saw that rain is in the forecast for Emily's wedding day. She told Grandma to help in praying for good weather on Emily and Peter's big day. This morning, she is relieved that the rain prediction has disappear.
Again, the weather was great for my second Walk for Jesus on Sunday with my other friend. Supports continue to come in and I have now raised a total of $6,120. We walked down the River Valley Trail to the bank of the Saskatchewan River. There were so many canoes on the river that attracted me to lean on the fence to watch them glide downstream. My mom wishes she could take me on a canoe too as a new experience for me.
This week our weather resembles that of Vancouver. It is nice for our lawn to get a good soaking. We just hope that the rain is not here to stay for too long. My mom has been checking the weather forecast regularly. Yesterday, her spirit dampens when she saw that rain is in the forecast for Emily's wedding day. She told Grandma to help in praying for good weather on Emily and Peter's big day. This morning, she is relieved that the rain prediction has disappear.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Walk for Jesus
My mom has committed to raise a total of $,6160 for Chinese Outreach ($2,000 for office furniture and $4,160 for 1/2 hour airtime per week for one year). By the day of the Walk on June 28 (last Sunday), I have raised $6,170. Three of my friends signed up for the Walk. One of them could not join us that day, my mom decided not to change the date.
I walk with two of my friends last Sunday and will walk with the other friend this coming Sunday. My mom feels that since I have been so well supported by my family and friends that I should walk more to be worthy of their love.
Last Sunday morning, the rain dampened my mom's spirit a bit. She was happy that by the afternoon when we went for the Walk, the sun was out. The weather was really nice for the walk. We walked for an hour from my friend's home to a park and back. The park was not that far away. It took that long because I walked so slowly. We also stopped now and then to take pictures.
I walk with two of my friends last Sunday and will walk with the other friend this coming Sunday. My mom feels that since I have been so well supported by my family and friends that I should walk more to be worthy of their love.
Last Sunday morning, the rain dampened my mom's spirit a bit. She was happy that by the afternoon when we went for the Walk, the sun was out. The weather was really nice for the walk. We walked for an hour from my friend's home to a park and back. The park was not that far away. It took that long because I walked so slowly. We also stopped now and then to take pictures.
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