Pasar Malam

After spending the best part of an hour at the ICU talking to the nurses about my Uncle, I went straight to Kepala Batas. It was time for pasar malam. I just couldn't resist it. Being Saturday evening, the place was packed. It didn't help when I got there just after half past 6. The crowd were really in a rush to get their chopping done.

Didn't get to do a proper browsing. It was pretty much smash and grab, before rushing to Sungai Petani, arriving there just in time for berbuka.

It was undercooked. We had to cook again at home.Spent the rest of the evening catching up with the family gossip and talking about my Uncle. He remained critical, and the journey for him would be a long one. It also looked like he might have to be on dialysis at the rate he was going. Big challenges ahead.

After the talks died down, I really need to get some sleep - and catch the football a bit later on. It would be a subdued game with the two semifinal losers meeting for a third placing match. But still worth the watch ....

At Seberang Jaya

Made my way up North right after the clinic was done, arriving 30 minutes before the visiting hours started. The road was empty but I must confess that I was right sleepy halfway. A stop in Tapah sorted that out, feeling fresh after prayers there.

Getting around the hospital was easier than expected, although the car park was half full. During weekends, the ward visiting hours stretched from the morning until 7 pm. For the ICU where my Uncle was, the visiting hours only started at 5pm. That gave me time to have a quick sit down. I'll be heading to Sungai Petani next as my Mum was there. Should be enough time to get there negotr before berbuka. Or maybe a quick stop in Kepala Batas to buy some food.

Waiting to get inLet's see how long they let me stay at the ICU.

Busy Weekend

I had planed for a long weekend from tomorrow, but it looked like I would have to drive up to Penang after clinic. My Uncle was in ICU, and his condition did not look very clever. My Mum was already there, so I plan to head up there and pick my Mum up on the way back.

So, for this evening, we would still go out for our customary Friday evening outing. Will be catching some dinner after berbuka, and maybe do a bit of shopping.

I'd probably drive back on Sunday afternoon if things were OK in Penang. I should arrive back in KL just in time for the World Cup Final with Anita. As it stood at the moment, I'd better enjoy any free time I had. There would not be much over the weekend I was afraid ...

Shopping Before Ramadan

It was always a good idea to go for the Aidil Fitri shopping even before Ramadan begun. You tended to have the best choice - if not the best bargain - minus the hustle and bustle. You can take your time and have a drink or two while doing that which you can't in Ramadan. The crowd tended to be thinner too.

So, the weekend before Ramadan, I took a walk around Masjid India and Jalan Bunus, a must for the city dweller. All the Aidil Fitri wares were available there, if you could be bothered with the crowd and the traffic.

However, nowadays, the whole place had been turned into Mini Jakarta, as the majority of the vendors there at the stalls were foreigner. The locals could be seen trading inside Wisma Yakin and Semua House. The rest of the bazaars had been taken over. Not cool.

I was at Masjid India right after my walk from Central Market. It was just past noon when I arrived there, and the place was already teaming with the city dwellers. Everybody loved a bargain.

Since I have still got my wares from last year, I decided against doing any shopping. Those clothes old clothes were still good. I wonder if Puan Anita would be keen to come? ‎

Afternoon at Hospital Ampang

Often, I would be at Hospital Ampang to either deliver talks or attend a meeting. Today was the first time that I was there as a visitor. My brother-in-law developed an abscess which needing operating and he was admitted via the Casualty yesterday. Anita was with him all day sorting it out, while I was on call at Subang.

I must say that the experience was much better than she expected and my brother was given great care.

Finally, after my morning rounds, I went straight across town to Ampang, joined by Anita. It was about time that my brother was wheeled into the operation room. He was nervous.

Then, one of the House Officer recognised me. She said I used to teach her at UM. Always nice to know.

My brother-in-law waiting for his brotherMy brother was just being wheeled in. I had to go to the lobby as the phone signal at the operation theatre waiting room was a bit suspect. Being post-call, I was sure my phone would be ringing.

The operation should take under a couple of hours. My father and brother-in-law was also on the way in, and I would wait to fetch them from the lobby.

I still needed some rest after the busy night last night. I would probably be sleeping in the bench at the waiting area before long.

I must say that our experience thus far as a patient and family members had been great. Hopefully it would continue to stay as so. ‎