eHomemakers Malaysia

Many do not understand the pain and suffering that a burn survivor goes through, sometimes it may continue for years from the initial burn incident. The complications of wound healing and also contracture sometimes get into the way of healing and makes it difficult for a burn survivor to lead a normal life. Treatment and managing the after effect of burns can be a lifelong process.  Furthermore, burn care is one of the most complicated and expensive treatment at the hospital.  Fatimah nearly died in a fire at 6 years old. Since then, she has gone through numerous surgeries throughout her young life. Despite the challenges and odds against her, Fatimah entered high school and continued with her studies at the University of St. Thomas. However, her studies were often disrupted with her medical needs. Fatimah is a kind and caring lady who often shares her experiences with newer burn survivors on how to cope with their burn injuries. Although she has her own lif...

I looked at his pale face and frail body on the hospital bed. Lines and tubes on his legs and neck. There was a bag at the right side with yellowish looking water inside. The liquid was not urine but water which had to be pumped out from his stomach cavity. It was difficult to see someone whom you have known since young to look so weak. He had lost weight and aged considerably.     It was the second day of Chinese New Year.  My sister and I took a trip down to Kuala Lumpur to visit relatives. We visited a cousin at the High Dependency Unit, he had liver cancer and was complaining of diarrhea. Visiting hours were 11.30am to 1.30am and 5.30pm to 7.30pm. We had to take turns going in as only 2 guests at a time are allowed. Despite having the experience of a prolonged stay at the hospital and being immobile, I was tongue tied. I didn’t know what to say or how to comfort him.  I could only share with him of my previous struggle at the hospital. ...

"I'm still standing...yeah, yeah, yeahhh..." "I'm still standing..." His high chirpy voice reaches my ears as Patrick swayed his body slightly while singing. Eyes sparkling, his body wriggling like a worm moving on the ground. His lips parted in a smile while he kept on going "I'm still standing." It is the latest song he likes. His favourite songs can be seasonal. At one time it was Baa Baa Black Sheep. Then another phase he had was Five Little Monkeys. Another time it was Humpty Dumpty. It is cute seeing him in this state; full of excitement, wonder of Life. Sometimes he can spontaneously laughed or dance on the spot if he hears any song he likes. Today it has been 7 months since his liver transplant  last year. Eileyn has observed the big changes in Patrick before and after the transplant in her recent blog post . Her blog also made me reflect on this young child who is suffering from liver failure. He is two years old n...

He glanced at me while smiling cheekily. His mouth revealing his short front teeth. An active boy.  If one does not know his history, he looks like any other toddler.  From his cheerful appearance, there was no hint of pain and suffering he went through the previous year. It was last year during the Hari Raya holidays that I visited Patrick and his family.  Just 2 weeks away before his appointment for a liver transplant in China. When I first met him, his eyes were unnaturally yellowish and his belly was protruding. He looked sickly. My sister who is usually chatty by nature was quiet as she dropped me at their house, she didn’t know what to say to Patrick’s parents.              Patrick seemed cautious when he saw me. Someone whom he had not met.  His mother, Cordelia, informed me, he viewed strangers with suspicion as they might be doctors and poke him with needles. After assessing for more than an ho...

This is my first post for 2020. How have the year been for you? Since 1 January 2020,  I have been baking, stitching sock dolls, writing and singing. I would never imagine my creativity can go beyond poetry writing. I used to have a rather fixed mindset on who I am; what I am capable of and what I am not.  Handsewn up to 70 sock dolls since 1 January 2020. I have gifted most of them to hospital children during Patrick's regular medical appointment in January 2020 & to Ronald McDonald House Charities for cancer kids in HUKM.  A few friends shared they could not see me as a sock doll maker or a baker. I could not vision myself as that too. I considered myself an inept cook. I do not consider myself much of a cook and a baker. I have no interest to learn too. Because of Patrick, I encouraged myself to make some attempts.  My initial failed attempts in baking muffin, cookies and chocolate cake. Cooking meals and soup for the family. ...

Last day of 2019 have arrived. Much have happened in my life; mentally, emotionally, physically, in my relationships especially in my family. I have been in reflective mode since Christmas Day. Moments which awakens me to the best of humanity. Moments that were worrisome when Patrick appearing to have symptoms which at first were not positive during his new liver transitioning stage. I finally took part in a workshop that unleash the creative expression in me after a long absence from experiencing and experimenting with the creative side of me. On the month of November and December 2019, an NGO invited me to  conduct doll-making workshops  whose major work involved hospital patients and sickly children. I have amazing encounters  and moments with Nature’s creatures.  My first witness of the birth of a ladybird coming  out from its cocoon.  This  happened in my garden.  Ladybird interacting with me after I off...

For a long time, I preferred certainty. To have precise plans. I know what I want for myself for the day. I make my choice for lunch before the actual lunch hour. I know where I am going in my life. What I want for myself. I know my likes and dislikes. I want to be in control of my life and my emotions. If I became emotional due stresses of life circumstances, I usually be hard on myself by saying these words to myself, "enough is enough. Time to stop this. Don't complain. Move forward." And onward I go, believing this was the way to be without processing my emotions especially if I considered them to be of negativity and unproductive. And then...life happens. In time I learned no matter how planned I try to make my life to be, something plan may end up nothing. And nothing planned may end up to something. Let me give you an example. Look at the doll below. Olaf doll I made in early December 2019 I made this doll out of socks. If you tell me in my 20s and 30...