Ophthalmologist

Last night's thunder storm must have cost my body's discomfort. Today had been raining on and off too. No improvement on my back.

Mom's got her final cataract surgery checkup with her ophthalmologist today. Her eyes are fine so she can go get new glasses now. It's good to know that her shingles is v2 and does not invade her eye. However, I've mistaken the appointment at 10:30 instead of 10:50. So we were 20 minutes early. Didn't look at the clock, but I'm sure we were done buying take-out food by noon. Since the expensive FM parcel may arrive today, we didn't go anywhere else and came straight home. I over ate a bit. The sticky rice wrap felt very oily and heavy in MSG than usual. Only had 4 hours sleep last night, so I crashed after lunch. First dosing off at the desk, then finally gave up and went to bed. Slept until 7. Stomach still felt heavy so I ate very little.

After dinner, mom wanted to visit Mrs. K as requested. She asked for help on her fig tree. Mom brought over some sticks and made a long handle for picking figs... but didn't work because it lacks a good blade. Chatted with Mrs. K for a while, then I went to brother's to feed the Guinea pigs. Made use of his free long distant phone plan and talked to M for 2 hours. Also called W but he was still working, so we didn't talk for long.

Double

Took mom to her shingles followup, and got an appointment myself for skin allergy. The doctor's attitude was clearly different when I actually have an appointment instead of just accompanying mom. Way more friendly and talkative. He just wrote me a prescription on the same ointment from 5 years ago and didn't even look at my rash. (Well, I showed him that ointment first, though.)

This time we didn't have to wait, so there was 18 minutes left for some micro grocery shopping. Then we picked up 2 Japanese bento boxes at Fujiya and ate them at home. Continued on L's picture. Kept dosing off as usual. I only had 5 hours of sleep. Then sis-in-law called about that bead shop. She's interested but checked her mail late. I ended up spending more time going through the site, and throwing more items into my cart and reached the maximum discount level. It's gonna cost me over 400 bucks... Yikes! I can't believe I'm going that...

L's picture is still not done... I'm loosing all fun drawing it. Since when did drawing become such a chore?

Shingles

Woke up by the parcel form FM. Fedex had me pay just under $37. That was ridiculous! My purchase was just under $76 and after shipping, total went over $111! And now an extra $37?!?!?! But I had no choice but to pay. After a closer look, custom is actually less than $4. The rest is Fedex fees. F%*^$%# them!!!!!!!! OMG I still have one more parcel coming!!!!! (T_T) (T_T) (T_T) (T_T) (T_T) (T_T)

Back to the shingles. Took mom back to see our family doctor for a fallow-up. No new medicine, only the usual osteoporosis drug. After we ate out near home, mom needed to stop at the bank to pay for some bills. I went with her and saw... a guy with a really fake beard standing at the counter talking to the teller. Then I saw him putting away a gun... a fake-looking gun. Hmm... it was almost comical and I didn't want to believe it was real. Just in case, I went outside to make a call. (If the situation was more threatening, I would have grabbed mom and run. It seemed fine to leave her taking care of her business.) The process was pretty slow. The guy exited, and the bank staff locked the front door. OK, then, it was real. By coincident, uncle and aunt Y came to the bank while the cops were taking statements. Wasted about 30-40 minutes. After a quick washroom visit, I rushed to my chiropractor appointment. The receptionist said lots of their patients work at banks, and from their first-hand experience, robberies are actually very common. Yikes!!!!!

Shingles

Mom's got a few sores on her face that really concerns her. She thinks it's the "snake" (shingles). So we went to see our family doctor, and he confirmed it. There're some on her right eyelid and could be bad if it gets in her eye. We tried to get the prescription drugs right downstairs but they only have one of the 2 items. We had to go to LD for the eye-drop. Mom immediately took a dose of each. This sounds serious as the eye-drop needs to be applied every 2 hours. I hope mom gets well soon.

Even though I felt sick because of the vampire, the black cloud over my head seems to have lifted. On the other hand, I can also blame it for giving me that black cloud. Hmm...

Flyers

Thank God for chiropractor day. Feeling much better although still not completely well. Took care of my car insurance right after. $$$$.... Then across the street to the re-purpose / re-cycle art supply store. Didn't find anything worth buying. Next stop, the bead shop on Main. Didn't find anything either. Good. I always end up buying stuff that I shouldn't have.

It was Nofrills after that. Somehow it was really cold inside and I didn't even get to the eggs. At least picked up a copy of their flyers as we didn't get any last Friday. Might as well go to Buylow. Bagged mixed salad was on sale so I got one. Flyer again. Salad for dinner.

Even got to take a walk after washing dishes. The weather was mild and even a bit chilly. Perfect for walks. J was talking to M, and I got the knock, so we didn't get to talk. I'm just glad that the knock came. My tummy has been feeling more bloated.

Ophthalmologist

Mom's eye appointment before 11. It was unusual that we were only told to be there before 11, the clinic was not full. Mom said it was the people who paid the extra $ to have the operation done at the Metrotown clinic from Saturday. (The doctor only do that on Saturdays.) Works fine for me. He only took a quick look at mom to make sure nothing was out of the ordinary. We were out the door at 10:55. Amazing.

Met up with A to borrow his bus pass for my appointment in the afternoon. Meanwhile, ate early lunch with mom at T&T. It's always the sticky rice wrap for me and dimsum for mom. Then we dropped by to see dad. Picked up soy milk and got home at 1:30. Rested till slightly after 2 and there I went, back to Metrotown. Walked around for a little and went to my appointment.

Got there right on time but the OT took a few minutes to come out. We talked and she suggested me to join me for yoga next week. So I think I'll have to borrow A's bus pass again. The neighbourhood has an average of more than one bagger on each block. And I'm very sad that the non-chain dollar store has disappeared.

Needed to get a pair of suitable pants for yoga. There were huge lineup at both the fitting room and cashier at UB. Wasted some time and met back up with A around 5:20. Thanks for dinner and the jacket. The intention was for a walk, but as A said, walking in a store always ends up with a purchase. Both at Costco and Walmart. Oh well...

Surgery day

Only got 3.5 hours sleep. Corners of my mouth are flaring up. There was a car accident on highway 1 that caused a big traffic jam. 3 lanes were squeezed into one. I must have gotten nervous from the delay and took one wrong turn missing the bypass. Still got to the hospital thanks to brother's GPS, but about 15 minutes late.

According to the nurses, the doctor had a difficult case in the morning and it avalanche onto everyone after. Mom's surgery was supposed to be at noon, but she actually went in at 1:25. We were the first one up after the doctor's lunch. So originally we should have been before his lunch. Mom's freezing eye-drops were wearing out and she felt discomfort. I hope she voices her condition in the operation room.

Thought I found a shaded parking spot, but of course the sun moved and my car was baked. Didn't use the shield either. Luckily it was more on the rear. Then, the way back also gave me a wrong turn. But this time I got last time's mistake right. Technically speaking, it wasn't a wrong turn but I just follow the GPS, and it seemed to have took us to a long route. Oh well. It also made a few contradicting instructions and at least 3 that I knew were wrong. The lesson is, the signs are the most correct.

Stopped by T&T for a late lunch around 3:45... which means it took us one hour 45 minutes to get back. Way worst than last time. Sigh...

Got home and of course could not keep myself awake. Bad for my neck... (T_T)

The cherry from brother trip are starting to go bad so mom decided to use them for jam. I was pitting them, cutting them into halves... then I saw it... tiny white worms!!!! Ewwwww!!!!!! They seem to have gotten in there when the flower was blooming. Mom was shocked as she's eaten quite a few! She said these are maggots... I hope she's right. If they are parasites, it's gonna be really bad...

Not sure if it's the bad traffic or I'm getting used to the drug, I seem to be more irritated by small things like before...

Long drive

Drove almost all day.
Lougheed... Mom's eye appointment. Got 2 pairs of shorts for dad in the mall.
Army&Navy... dad's clothes. Price range over budget so we didn't buy anything.
Michael's... bought 2 frames for L. Nothing good left in the clearance isle.
PriceSmart... the lettuce on sale was no where to be found. We bought a lottery ticket instead.
Metrotown... afternoon snack to refuel.
Kidnapped A from his office...
... to go to Costco to drop off mom's prescription. 1.5 hour wait.
VanYa for dinner.
Back to Costco to pick up mom's prescription.
CIBC to pay my card bill.
Brother's place to feed the Guinea pigs. Mom took advantage of the free long distance call.

Forgot to take Pinky pictures at meal time!!!!!! Arrgghhhh!!!!

Ophthalmologist

Took mom to her eye appointment late morning. Failed to sleep early and only got 3.5 hours. She's gonna have the other eye done in 11 days. So, the Lougheed mall and Maple Ridge trip will repeat all over again next week.

Checked out the framing store and left disappointed. Nothing says bingo. So was the dollar store next door. Oh well, that's the nature of treasure hunts.

Stopped by dad's next. Things went smooth. It's just that the place smells bad more frequently.

Got home around 2:30. As I wanted to take care of the bank business, I had to go asap. So I kidnapped aunt L on the way and took her and mom along. I just needed to sign for a pickup and it was quick... wasn't even 4:30 when I was done. Originally, aunt L wanted to take us to a certain Chinese restaurant, but weren't opened yet. So we went to one of brother's usual Taiwanese places. (Aunt L is a good cook so she's a bit hard to please when it comes to food.) On our way out, she bought 1/4 of a BBQ duck in a newly opened store next door. Living along gives her little chance to make such purchase because those birds are rarely sold below half.

Then some grocery-shopping. A called when I was in the washroom a the Taiwanese restaurant, and I forgot to return his call until mom was picking up pickles for our neighbour. Aunt L also got some. After checking out what kind of stores were in that mall, we went to a larger grocery shop for soy milk. Aunt L bought sprouts.

Last item, milk for aunt L. It was way too expensive at our last stop. After dropping her off, I noticed gas price dropped slightly despite oil price went up, so I topped off the tank. Cost just under $16 when it still looked quite full.

Came home and kept dosing off as usual... Went on repairing the bead caps and that was it. Didn't work on L's picture but got a few errands done.

Chiropractor

Thank God for chiropractor day. Got a bit behind but still couldn't afford without showering and washing my hair. Luckily still made it within the 15-minute zone. Got a new head of lettuces for salad. Ever since I started taking calcium again last week, the benefit of the salad has been erased. (T_T) Managed to get the knock today, but still feel bloated. Should I take Senokot? But I don't want to risk crashing with the other pill...

The spoons are all in their settings. They need something more but I'm not sure what to add...

Dentist

How long has it been? Must be over 12 years already since I had a filling. The braces didn't cause any fear, but today, on the dentist chair, I was very nervous. Of course all dentists here uses freezing and it's the needle that I fear the most. I'm sure no one in this world enjoys having his or her mouth yanked wide open and kept still for over half an hour, while listening to the sound of dental drill. There's also the occasional smell from drilling that I cannot describe. 45 minutes later, I was less $250 strong. I thought my last appointment when the dentist took a quick look to determine treatment was free, but it showed up on today's bill and cost $39... geeze... That was less than 10 minutes! I can't stop feeling ripped off!!!!!

I told myself that, this dentist seems to be good. (This is my first filling with him.) However, as the freezing wears off, I found out the injection site is very sore! Actually not just the injection site, the area around the affected tooth is irritable too. Sigh... I hope whatever wound he left me won't turn into canker sore.

The magazine I ordered from the Japanese web site arrived. (Sooner than some craft material I ordered from the States?!?!) I kind of considered the possibility, but didn't think they'd actually send one single magazine in a box!!!!!! Don't they have padded mailers????? Oh well... at least I got half price shipping from their special. So I'd shut up.

Chiropractor

My brain was close to non-functional. Thought my appointment was at 3, and thought I'd be on time. Last minute mail check yielded an urgent mail from Linkedin that required an immediate password change. Of course I had to check my account for any tempering. That caused me half an hour. Once again I couldn't break free. Amazingly, the reception said I was early. Turn out my appointment was at 3:40! I'm really glad it worked out fine at the end, but it also shows my brain couldn't remember the info correctly.

Got A some beans from Innocent. He wanted some on-sale games from Walmart so I took him there. He seemed to be heavily affected by the weather change too and felt sick enough to work from home. We ate at Wendy's. I had to go home to keep an eye on mom since her vision is still blurry.

Post surgery

(No photo today. This was taken on the 6th.)
Appointment at 11. Amazingly we didn't have to wait long and seemed to have jumped the line. On the other hand, the doctor only took a quick look and that was it. (Didn't even get to take a Pinky picture!) Maybe that's why we were let in before those who need more time. Mom's eye is still blurry but the doctor said it takes 2 weeks. The next checkup is in 3 weeks.

Bought take-out food at T&T and ate at home. It was 1:30 when I finally gave up and went to nap in bed. Tons of interruptions so I didn't really sleep well. (The roofing company call to see if we'd go ahead with the storm drain repair... and of course I push it later for another 2 months.) Got up and my back felt worse. Did I lie down for too long??? Today's ache is the worst since last chiropractor's visit. Thank God I'd be seeing him tomorrow.

Didn't do much else. Totally non-productive.

Cataract surgery

Mom's cataract surgery day. I couldn't sleep well last night (or this morning, rather). Only got about 4 hours. Nonetheless, got up at 9 and was out of the house at 10. The way there was smooth. There was an unclear intersection and brother's GPS was a big help. However, I realized I've made a huge mistake thinking I could just take the same way back and didn't research on the return trip. The GPS didn't bring me to the highway. So, the drive back took 1.5 hours while the drive there took 50 minutes. I'm sure I'd be completely lost without the GPS.

The surgery itself seemed to have gone well, but we don't know the real result until much later. The doctor does it in an assembly line. Lots of patients. Takes only 15 to 20 minutes each. Parking cost $8.75. I can't believe Maple Ridge with so much space and still charge $3.75 an hour. (Max charge is $8.75 so our 3-hour stay went pass that.)

Fasting was necessary so poor mom didn't eat since last night's dinner. We ended up eating lunch at 3:30 on our way home, where she could start her eye drops sooner. Honestly, despite her age, she's 100 times tougher then me. Got home and soon I was dosing off in front of my computer. Non-functional for the rest of the day.

Dentist

How long has it been since my last well-timed appointment? He took a look at my broken-off old filling and I need another appointment to repair it. Not sure how much it costs, though. Today's appointment was perfect. Is it thanks to the anti-depressant?

Went to Richmond for some errands. The cell phone message actually means my plan runs out on September 6. Not June 9th as I thought. Hahaha... (^_^;) But why do they inform me over 3 months ahead? Got 3 bags of black sesame powder. Stopped by 2 dollar stores and picked up more junk.

As I go over the map for tomorrow's trip, I can't believe I get so nervous. Has mom's nervousness bled onto me? I just can't trust my way-finding skills. (T_T)

Lougheed

Mom's eye appointment today near Lougheed mall. I also have chiropractor but I set it later, hoping I could make it. The day went well. The drive took 40 minutes, longer than what Google says. We got there at around 1:20, over an hour early. Normally, I'd go to the mall first, but knowing mom, she's gonna be overly worried, so we went to the clinic first. Amazingly, there was no one in line. The nurses let us have our appointment right away. It's just taking measurements. Even more simple then getting glasses prescriptions. 15 minutes later, we were out. Then of course we gotta make use of this long drive, and see the mall. Bought some batteries, and some junk. Ate afternoon snack at A&W. Their sirloin mini burger is back and as good. Perfect portion to share with mom. On our way back, we pass in front of dad's nursing home, so I went in with mom's orange. (She brought along a peeled orange besides water. She seems to think she's starve if she doesn't do so.) Was going to stay for 10 minutes, but got caught by a nurse who wouldn't stop chatting. So I ended up spending half-an-hour. Oh dear, I would be late for chiropractor! They close at 5 today (so I was told) and I must not be late. After dropping mom off, I rushed to the clinic, and was 5 minutes late. (Know myself, 5 minutes is considered doing well!) There were 2 parties in front. By the time I finished, there were 3 more parties in the waiting area. So... was I lied to? Can't blame them, though... I don't even trust myself especially about time.

Out patient

The appointment was at 2:15 but I was told to get there earlier for paperwork, so I tried to give it an extra 15 minutes... Didn't know the actual clinic was one floor below. Only managed to have 10 minutes for paper work. Before I knew it, it was 2:35!!!! Aaaarrrrgggghhh!!!!!!!! The doctor didn't look too friendly. He speaks fast, and seemed to just run down a list of questions. At the end he prescribed anti-depressant. Heavy dosage too. I'm super worried.

Was hoping to take mom to Toshi but she refused. Well, as mom may not have completely recovered, it was not good to line up outside the restaurant. We ended up eating out nearby. Toshi will have to wait.

Move (2)

Mom was gonna pick up dad's remaining laundry in the morning despite my objection. However, grand aunt Y called and they ended up talking for an hour. (God was trying to stop her too. Thanks.) If it was just a visit, it would be fine. But picking up who-knows-how-many-bags of stuff? A car is much better. (And why is she so reluctant to ask for my help?)

Got up late at lunch time again. Mom kept rushing me as aunt L wanted to go with us. So my plan of picking up the laundry completely fell apart. There were unfinished paper work too. Just as I was ready to leave, I realized I forgot to make a copy of the forms. Had to do a bunch of last minute scanning. It's times like this that the scanner feels super slow. And it is 10 years old after all.

We got there around 2. Dad seemed happy with the new place. Good. Mom and aunt L went to see him as I took care of the rest of the paper work. Played with their residence cat for a bit. Stayed for an hour, but again forgot to take any pictures! Aaaaargh!!!!!

Drove aunt L home, and went to pick up the laundry from the old nursing home. Mom came along. I'm glad she did. Because their parking lot was full, and I had to wait in the car. Luckily someone left and I got a spot soon. There were 2 big shopping bags of laundry. I'm also glad to have a chance to greet and thank the staff one last time.

It's been raining so we didn't feel like going anywhere else. (Otherwise grocery shopping etc.) Got home and cleaned up the document scans until dinner. Of course dosing off every-now-and-then...

Move (1)

The move. Again I failed to go to bed early and ended up with 3 hours sleep. Brother was early. I forgot to factor the vampire shower time in. Everyone was waiting for me. (T_T) Luckily the time was not as straight and we managed to get there more or less fine.

The staff prepared dad well. He just had a shower and was about to be dressed. We went upstairs to the office to finish the discharge procedure. The staff members were all very helpful. Thanks~ Dad tried to step onto the van directly skipping the step-stool... Even now he thinks he's fully capable... despite he's been using a walker... (T_T)

As expected, dad said he wants to go home. Mom kept telling him he can't because his spitting and incontinent are not cured. Dad then insists he's cured. Sigh... I have no idea how to deal with such situations and that's why I involved brother. And he's good at it. He distracted dad with "taking a look at that place first". Thanks... Wouldn't know what to do myself.

The new nursing home looks newer (it is actually newer), bigger, and nicer than the old one. Doesn't stink like urine (or old folks stink), and (supposed to) have a higher care level.

Unlike last time, no office staff gave us any meetings. We were greeted by the nursing staff at dad's room. Didn't seem like the other home sent them any info in advance. It was in the envelope when we checked out. Nevertheless they got some info. And we fill them with some more pointers, like, dad's clothes cannot be kept in his room as he'd dismantle them. His spitting, flushing things down the toilet, refusing diapers... etc.

I was in a cloud as blood sugar level fell. The nursing station was not always staffed. We had to get our admission package from the reception, which was missing all the forms. Somehow someone at the nurse station thought we've already handed the documents in, and removed them from the folder. OTL The receptionist didn't explain things too well... or was it my lack of sleep plus vampire? I had a very hard time understanding and filling the forms.

As usual, mom focus 200% of her attention and energy on dad while I struggled with documents. There were lots of stuff that I needed to ask her, but she disappeared with dad to the other dinning room. Finally I gave up fighting alone because brother was starting to get fidgety. Dad was eating lunch, but I had to interrupt. Then it finally clicked on me that not all forms need to be handed in today. So, we were about to hand in 2 or 3 and on out way out... only to see the reception's gate closed. The receptionist was out for lunch. Grrr.... should have filled all the forms at home.

Late lunch at 1. I was in such bad condition that I totally forgot to take a Pinky picture. (T_T) I didn't even eat breakfast. (T_T) (But didn't feel hungry either... but in a cloud.) Got home around 2. Mom immediately starting calling up a bunch of relatives to report dad's move. I started cleaning up e-mail, and sending out photos at the new nursing home.

Will need to pick up remaining laundry from the old nursing home tomorrow, and continue with paper work at the new one.

Forgot to call the post office again. Awwww...

New nursing home

The call came around noon. I must have missed a few. Dad will be moved to a new nursing home tomorrow. And it's normal practice to give only one day notice. (T_T) Well... we don't need as much preparations (like chest x-ray) like last time anyway.

So came the wave of phone calls. With dad's spitting, I'd like to use handydart if possible. But it's pretty much impossible to book the day before. Standing-by is too risky, so we have no choice but to drive him ourselves.

This can't come at a worse time. The vampire just showed up today and I'm feeling sick. Tomorrow will probably get worse. (T_T) Don't think mom and I can handle the move ourselves, so I asked brother for help. He's such a good fellow. He even offered to drive us all. Thanks~ He's also way smarter and more experienced. With his advice, I called up the new place to confirm the admission, and a bunch of questions so we'd be more prepared. Thanks!!

Yup, vampire is making me sick. (T_T) And I haven't has such a bad knock either. But nonetheless it came. Any delay would probably cost huge problems. (Yup, I'm pretty scared.)