I am back

I went to Pantai Hospital today for a second opinion. Dr. Ho said I had glaucoma long before I was diagnosed and reassured me that having acute glaucoma doesn't mean I am going to be blind IF I take care. I have to keep my eye pressure down, that's what all other doctors said too but he could'nt give me an answer when I asked 'What more can I do to keep it down?'.

One thing that struck me is, he repeatedly say that I need to EXERCISE regularly to encourage blood circulation to the eyes. I remember when my pressure was down, I did exercise almost everyday for an hour but for the last 7 months I have neglected this because of laziness, complacency and all other excuses. So I am going to exercise again regularly beginning tomorrow.

I am hopeful now and I plan to see the world for a long time more. Taking carrots, bilberry etc is not necessary but Ok if I do, he said. Learning computer touch screen and braille is not necessary, just keep the pressure down and I won't be blind. So my concern is how to keep the pressure constantly down.

The complaint about my headaches, heavy eyes etc is because of eye fatique. I was advised to take exercise at FRIM as the area is green but it's too far for me. Taking breaks from focusing on computer was encouraged but not necessary cutting off computer completely. I have discipline problem here. Once I am in front of a computer, I get engrossed and forget about everything else including eating and resting. So in order not to stress my eyes I am going to follow Mages' advice - limit computer use. I shall have emails and occassional bloggings. I have deleted Friendster and going to delete Facebook when I know how. I'll stop gluing myself to the computer screen. Once my project is completed, there will be no more research to do.

I know I'll be OK. Pray for me.

Taking a break

I have a long talk with a friend in Birmingham, UK today. Whatever she told me to do, I knew it already but when it comes from her, it made me think about it seriously and I made a promise to her. I have to take action to preserve my sight. She quoted what I have always said to other people - love yourself. So she requested that I have to love myself and preserve the 20% of my sight.

I have decided I am going to quit writing my blog and use less computer. It would be tough for me. But as she said, focusing too much on computer is not good for my eyes. My doctors have said the same thing and I meant to use less conputer but somehow at this modern age it is difficult. I suffer from computer dependency syndrome.

I shall still open my email and do my powerpoint and some other work that are still needed to be done. After July, It's going to be less computer. I'll see what comes after I attend computer touch screen program at the Malaysian Blind Association on 27-31 July 09.

So, if you want to keep in touch with me, you can call me at 019-857-5188 or 06-647260 or sms or talk through skype. Don't be disppointed if I don't respond to your YM. I guess it takes someone else to make me take hold of my life. Thank you Mages for pushing me to act.

Back to the Creator

I planned to go back to PJ on Saturday afternoon, to get ready to go to Singapore to be an examiner for Hyponosis course on Sunday. I wanted to see my friend who suffered cancer on Saturday evening and spend some time with her. The photos we took together when I first did hypnosis with her and a few old photos of our time in Universiti Malaya together were also put in an envelope. I wanted to help her to reminize our time as young girls in 1960s. Two days ago, I called her husband to find out about her and he informed me she was in KLGH and thought she would be discharged in a day or two. I requested him to convey my salam and that I would see her on Saturday.

It was not to be. Last night, my friend, Fatimah called and informed me that she has passed away quietly. It was such a sad moment for me, thinking I can have beautiful plan for her but Allah decides whether my plan can be executed or not. It wasn't to be. I am sorry for not being able to attend her funeral but will see her family on Saturday, at least to give the photos.

I am not able to describe my deep feeling of sadness. Allah loves her and has spared her further pains and sufferings. Ya Allah, cucurilah rahmat ke atas roh Kamariah Jalil, sahabatku ini. Tempatkan dia di tempat orang-orang yang beriman di sisiMU, ya Allah.... Alfatihah...

Gunung Ledang, Johor

20 to 23 June 2009, Najidah and I went to Gunung Ledang, a place I've wanted to see for quite sometime. I was always fascinated with the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang. It isn't far from PD actually, only 148km.
On Saturday afternoon, we drove Tangkak and enteres Pintu A following the signage to Gunung Ledang Resort where Najidah has booked a room for 2 nights. I was disappointed. I wanted to run away from the human noise in PD during weekend but there, I found hordes of people going to the river and the waterfall. Imagine the littering.

After resting, we decided to explore Tangkak and going to the river later in the evening. We saw signage Pintu B to Gunung Ledang National Park and wondered what it is but it was after 5 pm and the guard advised us to come back the next day. Then we went back to the resort and we soaked ourselves in the river near the resort.


































In Tangkak town we had quite a delicious dinner at the arked at a stall at the bus station, manned by ladies (forgot the name of the young owner). Don't be fooled by news that materials sold in Tangkak are cheap. I was curious and went in a boutique and asked. They were expensive and not worth the travel to go there to buy materials. The price is the same as in KL, Nilai, PJ or PD. So keep your money in your pockets.

The next day we drove to Pintu B through the oil palm estate with dirt road but it wasn't far, about 2 km, and we found Gunung Ledang National Park. We were dumbfounded. This is the place we were looking for - beautiful, serene and quiet! Unfortunately Najidah has paid in full the rate at the resort and we couldn't get our refund if we check out to move to the park. Suffice, we walked around enjoying the quiet beauty of the park. We talked to En. Khairol, one of the park rangers, They enforced quite a strict rule here for visitors who stay so that no destruction in any form is done. We were happy for this.

However, there is no waterfall nearby. This is the station for people to climb to Gunung Ledang summit. NO thank you, I don't plan to climb. My mountain climbing days are over. I don't think my knees can take it.









At the park, we were honoured to meet 'Bujang' the handsome porcupine. He is really a good-looking fella. He has 2 new housemates who were too shy to come out meeting people and Bujang got all the attention from admiring onlookers. The park hopes there will be more little 'Bujangs' around soon.











With Bujang, the porcupine at the Gunung Ledang National Park, Johor.










Najidah and Bujang.










Back to the resort, we headed straight to the waterfall. It was exhilarating. At 900 feet above sea level, it was quite a climb. Puteri waterfall is so soothing but it was crowded with people. Some stupid young people above poured a smelly liquid down the river and we scuttled off, cursing the irresponsible morons. The same attitude and behaviour problems we always encountered with some brain-damaged people who are so selfish and irresponsible.





















Puteri waterfall from the top.













Serene surrounding at Gunung Ledang National Park, Johor.













We left Gunung Ledang Resort at 11.00 am to PD. Hope to go to Gunung Ledang National Park and stay there one day. If you are interested to stay in the park which I recommend, please contact tel: 06-9631030/019-7772057 or email tamanhutanlegenda@yahoo.com

Glaucoma

Since my last 2 blogs attracted many responses, I would like to share with you my experience of having glaucoma . My purpose is to tell you to be aware of your health and pay attention to one of the most vital organs in our body - our eyes. Don't take it for granted as I did.

I do not know exactly when glaucoma hit me but I am making a good guess. I think I started having in before I joined Unimas ie. before year 2000. While managing the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM) I already suffered this nagging headaches -little ones, not worth taking panadol or go to sleep. It just made me feel uncomfortable. I thought nothing of it and it dragged on. Oh yes I went for medical check-up, my blood pressure was a bit high at that time but the doctor said it was so mild, just take care. I did, and my blood pressure became normal until today.

In 2003, while having lunch with Zaiton at Unimas, she commented that my left eye was red - I didn't realise that. I went to see a doctor in Kuching immediately, thinking it was conjunctivitis (sakit mata). After 2 weeks the redness was still there and Dr. Tan recommended me to see an eye specialist at Timberland Hospital. Dr. Tiong, the eye specialist wasn't happy and told me he suspected I have glaucoma. It didn't hit me then that I have glaucoma as I didn't know the implications. I was referred to HUKM to see one of the top eye specialists there. After 2 visits, she confirmed that I have closed-angle glaucoma in both eyes. She did laser treatment twice to keep my eye pressure down.

One symptom that I realized was, I found it hard to open my eyes. My lids felt so heavy. My eyes are small and they became smaller. I consulted a plastic surgeon who told me because of aging the muscles of my eye-lids became loose and can be corrected by surgery. I thought of doing plastic surgery to correct the eye-lids but I canceled it and told myself it didn't matter I still can see. My beautician, Azizah, complained that my eyes were sunken deep. That made me more confused as I also suffered from dry-eye syndrome and a mild cataract. So you see, I have quite a comprehensive eye diseases!!!

The process of researching began. My daughter, Maz, compiled in a thick file about glaucoma from the internet. I was looking for an answer to WHY I have this. Doctors couldn't give me the answers and couldn't explain why. Healthwise I was certified healthy - went for stress test, blood test, bone density test etc etc.etc. I was in good shape - no diabetes, no heart problem, no cholestrol, no high blood pressure, and no member of my family suffer from this. The quest to find the answer WHY continued -too late I got it already. Then, in one article I read in internet stated that glaucoma can also be due to a long period of stress. I was the unlucky one.

I didn't blame stress but I think stress is a silent killer. I blamed myself for being stupid - stupid for thinking that I was good at handling stress, like doing yoga, exercise, meditation, prayer, performing umrah many times, activities, laughter etc, etc, etc. But if you are unhappy inside for a long time, it will eat you up. That's what I believe. I had a very unhappy life struggling inside me and I cried alone. Nobody understood. But I had to show people that I was OK. On the outside, my life was ideal, and it was. I knew then if I went on I would hit rock bottom. I made a decision, the turning point in my life by walking out of the stressful situation and I was free. Too late, glaucoma is already there and I have to deal with it.

So, what I am saying is that, if you suffer stress, do not let it dwell so long inside you. Take action, take risks, find ways to overcome it, even if it made your life difficult for a while. When the big stress is removed, you'll find ways to stablelise your life and be happy and normal again.

Now I know, when I have this nagging headaches, it means my eye pressure goes up again. I will not give up trying to lower it down in as many ways that I know or being advised to. I thank Dr. Tajunisa of UH for being quick to take action to lower my eye pressure. Prof Tan of UH also for insisting I do MRI to see if anything wrong in my brain. Syukur alhamdullillah, everything is fine there. So glaucoma is the culprit.

So readers, take care of your eyes, control your diabetes if you have, go for regular eye check-up and exercise regularly. Don't take things for granted as I did. We live in a very stressful world. Good luck to everyone.

Thank you, Thank you

With Pn Hashimah and Hj. Alias at Benkel penulisan Nota Kes at Ministry of Health 170609









My last blog received overwhelming responses from you, readers, especially from my ex-students.Thank you for the kind words, the wise words, the comforting prayer, the good wishes, the advice, the loving assurance, and the sincere words with feelings. Till today I still received sms, emails, YM and calls, giving me courage. I am honoured and grateful to God for surrounding me with lovely people who care. So, thank you, thank you and thank you!!!!!!!! May God bless you all.


Hei, do you know, I feel Monday morning episode was like a yesteryear story, for today, life is back to normal for me. I spent the whole day with Ministry of Health counsellors conducting a workshop on ethics and case note writing. I promised I'll be OK and I am. You see, writing has always been a therapy for me. I may look outgoing but internally I am quite a private person. There are a few things that I don't share with people but I wrote in my journals and I have quite a stack! My blog is my outlet to let go the things that bother me, my sadness, my hope and my beliefs. I felt good after writing the blog though my tears interfered with my typing. Your responses got into my heart and I am humbled by your sincerity and of course some brought smiles and chuckles.


With hospital counsellors at the Bengkel, Ministry of Health 170609










I admit, deep down I still harbour the fear - the uncertainty of my future in darkness but it's a fact that I have to face. So I stopped crying - I'll deal with it when the time comes. Meanwhile, there are so many things I want to do, so many places I want to see, so many people I want to interact, so many animals I want to hug (but not the Komodo dragons!!), so many beautiful flowers to enjoy. So I am not going to immerse myself in self-pity. I have done that, thank you. Quite a few said I am a strong person, maybe so but I also have my weaknesses like last Monday. I am proud though that I am able to cry, able to write it down openly for people to read (not to get pity or for people to feel sorry for me) but to understand my turmoil, to share my feelings and experiences and to learn from it and to see that I am a so very normal human being.

I may lose my sight but I will not lose me as a person. You can bet on it!

Mixed feelings

I do not know how to describe my feeling this morning. I experienced a mixture of feelings like sadness, frustration, anger, hopelessness, helpless, confusion and a strong sense of fear. I guess only people who have experienced this will understand what I went through this morning. It was such a mixed feelings. I just drove my car like a robot back to PD after my eye check-up in UH. I needed to be alone to cry and to get over whatever feelings I was experiencing. It' s hard. I guess that's how some people lose hope. I am pleased I am able to sit in front of my computer now to describe my feelings with limited words to express it. I just thought to myself, this is how people go down to depression when feeling of hopelessness and despair get stuck in their mind. I thank God, I still have the sanity to go through this.

I didn't have good news after my checkup. In fact, it was a disappointing one. My eye pressure was down about 2 months ago on my last checkup. I was pleased. All my effort has paid off and I hoped it would continue to remain normal. But today my right eye charts a higher pressure and my doctor is worried. I was told 80% of my vision has gone and I am functioning on the 20% which is not stable. Yes, I know she told me on my last visit that my glaucoma is at advanced stage and described it as acute closed-angled glaucoma on both eyes. Her clinical diagnose conclude that I would have another 2 years to enjoy my sight. Will I be blind in 2011 or earlier? But I was hopeful then, confident that with Ocu Plus ordered from US, Bilbery extract, Eye Bright Extract, Homeopathy and selected vegetables for my vege juice will keep my eye pressure down as before. It wasn't to be. During the discussion with the doctor this morning, it was very factual and I thought I accepted it well.

I was wrong. At the table while eating my lunch, the tears just poured down. I was at the height of my sadness and despair. The young guys sitting at the next table must be wondering why the old lady while eating, her face was covered with tears even though it was hidden under a pair of sunglasses. It didn't matter, I couldn't control my tears, it just poured down my cheeks, my feeling was in turmoil. In the car I cried all the way to PD. My eyes have become so generous to tears!

I was in denial all this time. My acceptance of my condition is only on cognitive level. Emotionally I am fragile and still not able to accept fully of the perilous condition I am in, keep telling myself I am OK but today the floodgate just opened and I fully realised how fragile my vision is. I didn't want to talk to anybody and I wanted to wallow in self-pity alone. The big question WHY is still there. I have the biggest fear- fear of the unknown when I lose my sight, fear of living in darkness, fear of becoming dependent, who shall I be dependent on? Who can I count on? Fear losing my independence, I can't imagine myself not being able to drive, go where I want, at any time, anywhere on my own leisure, and do what I wish. Fear that I lose respect from people and fear people will pity me. I don't want pity. Fear of losing power and autonomy. Above all, fear of being alone when I can't watch TV, read, writing blog, open internet, care for my plants and other usual activities to keep me occupied. I can feel this big FEAR gripping my emotion and I became sadder and more tears. I am still crying while writing this. Oh God, am I so pathetic?

Oh yes, I talked about not reading the future because what will happen in future we don't know and it is poinless to worry about something that's not there yet - very logical but hard to apply. Worry about the future will create anxiety. Oh I know all those psychological impact of irrational thinking but this is my thing. I want to be irrational. I'll recover tomorrow, I promise! Oh yeah, Gestalt philosophy said 'Live in the present, the here and now, the future is unknown, the past is gone.' I am a strong believer of Gestalt and I have let go of the past, I live NOW but I am scared of the future because I know I'll be blind. So sorry Gestalt, I know my future and that's why I have fear. Gestalt will say, 'confront your fear' and I'll ask back 'How?' Cognitively, I know TIME will heal and I'll adjust to whatever life I'll have. Meanwhile - fear and anxiety!!!!

May Allah bless me and give an extension to allow me to enjoy the world He has created. I planned to see Komodo dragons next month in Komodo Island, Indonesia but because of HINI, Sharipah and I decided to postpone it till everything is OK. Meanwhile Najidah and I are going to Gunung Ledang Resort to lepak and enjoy the waterfall.

Hard times

PD beach at low tide.















Port Dickson beach for wedding photographs.















The bride and groom being photographed at PD beach at low tide.







I was bored being cooped up in my apartment the other day - looking at computer screen. I need a breather, so I decided to take a short drive at the stretch of beach at Bagan Pinang, PD. to take some photos. I've been wanting to go there but the small stretch of beach is always packed with picnickers, especially during weekends and public holidays. It was a weekday, not many people around. I met a Malay lady sitting down alone enjoying the breeze and we chatted a while. She has a stall selling local food nearby.


We talked about her business, her struggle to meet ends meet, her hope for her 4 children and her ups and downs in her life. In that short span of time, I gathered so much information about her that I guessed she needed to talk. Our conversation made me feel more humbled and grateful to Allah for giving me the good fortune in my life, for not having to struggle so much, for having small needs to fulfill and for having the good health so far.

Her husband has lost his job and now doing odd jobs in the kampung and sometimes helps her at her stall. She can't afford to expand her business as her income is just enough to cover the family monthly needs. What I like about her was her aspirations for her children - she aims to educate them and willing to sacrifice her comfort. That really made me feel like shedding tears as I know how mothers would be willing to sacrifice anything for their children. I share the same feeling. Unfortunately many children take things for granted and forget their mothers' unselfish sacrifice as they succeed in life.

During this hard time she has to budget stringently, making do with what is available around her house for food. She grows some local vegetables in a vacant area by the road at her kampung to supplement her needs. As always, some rouges stole her bananas and vegetables, leaving her in despair. Sounds like life is unfair to her but she didn't sigh or complain - it was just a matter of fact and a conversation with me. In my heart, though I sympathized with her, I admired her strength to go through life raising 4 children with not much help from her husband.

It hit me that I, too, am learning to live within my means. In fact, these few months I have been struggling to cut down expenses to fit the small pension that I received. It's not much actually and I know it would be hard for me to budget. I found my money goes mostly to paying bills - electricity, water, Astro, telephone, service charge, housekeeping, credit cards, house assessments, etc etc etc. plus unexpected expenditure like my son's engagement. My food bill is minimal, mostly on buying vegetables, seldom on meat. Actually, I am struggling to get rid of impulsive buying which I always do if I go shopping. So, window shopping is no-no to me. At this time in my life, new clothes are the least important but impulsive buying always interferes. The only difference is, I don't go to boutiques for clothes now.

So what do I do to curb this unnecessary spending especially during this tough time? I avoid going out except to buy grocery and quickly drive home - no looking around!! I have to program my brain - buy what I need and scuttle home quickly, no look-see, no picking up things which are not in the list, no lingering at shopping malls - oh God, that's hard! I really understand how hard it is to break habits. It needs strength, determination and squashed all desires. So I do admire those people who are able to overcome their addictions like smoking, drugs, sex, alcohol, gambling etc. It is a million time harder than what I am facing.

Have I been successful? Yes, so far, for the last few months except when I went for holidays which my budget burst to pieces but that's another story. Hence, the opportunity meeting this lady. I count my blessings.

The Engagement

Izrin getting pep talk from Pak Anjang Mahir watched by brothers-in law, Hazri and Justin.













My brothers. Left: Ahmad Mahir, two of Haidi's uncles, my brothers Ahmad Fuad (2nd left) and Ahmad Zainal Ariffin (right) at Haidi's house.










The gift bearers, my daughters and nieces.














At Haidi's house with her mother and relatives.










I drew a sigh of relief that Izrin's engagement was over without a hitch. It was a family affair on both sides, a simple one. I was glad majority of my siblings were able to come with their sons/daughters-in-laws and children. I gave up learning to know the names of my grandnephews and grandnieces - so many. My gratitude to my brother, Ahmad Mahir who represented my family as a spokesperson in the ceremony and is good at it as he has been the strong person and the spokesperson in such ceremonies. During the doa, he shed tears for he still has regrets in his heart for not being able to ask forgiveness from my parents fully.He reminded all the young people there to care for the parents. I hope my children and my nieces and nephews understood his message. I know how he feels, regret will be with you till your old age if you have unfinished business with your parents. I still carry some remorse too and it's quite painful at times. My thanks to Juriah also for preparing the hantaran. I just wish every member of my family was able to come and it would be more fun as a family gathering.


The family members before we left to Haidi's house.






Justin and Arif (Juriah's son-in-law) functioned as the photographers. Izrin had a tough time recalling who his cousins-in-laws are. The ceremony ended about 1 pm with lunch and everyone dispersed to his/her own homes, leaving my house quiet again. Poor Mok! He just disappeared and hid himself outside under the bushy plants, away from strangers and noise of human beings. He was confused. Queen Raisa, was a natural. She was not bothered and remained inside, resting at her usual place.

After resting a while, in the evening I visited my friend again to continue with hypnosis. Her condition doesn't look good as her bony body creates join pains when she lies on one side. I just wish I could do more to help. It's really painful to see her but she is lucky, she has a devoted husband who takes care of her. Her children are so caring too, a daughter sleeps with her every night and a son comes home everyday leaving his own house to be with his mother. She is blessed with good fortune in that sense and I pray they give her courage to manage her pains. I just hope the one hour or so, I was with her, relaxing her, she was able to relax and forgot her suffering for that duration. Even though in her condition, her memory is still intact and was able to answer my questions. Before hypnosis, I just talked describing to her Izrin's engagement party and she listened and understood. May Allah help her to lessen her suffering and giving her courage to fight the disease.

As I told my daughter, Ika, my friend knows her fate but I don't know mine. I don't know what's in store for me except that I have acute angle-closed glaucoma on both eyes which not many people suffer from it. That's my fate to date but I thank God for giving me the energy and the sanity of mind to go through life as usual. So make full use of your life before life leaves you.

Life is to be enjoyed

Izrin's engagement hantaran on 7 June 2009, prepared by Juriah, my sister-in-law - simple and beautiful.









It has been quite a while since I sat down and write this blog. After the internship, I just wanted to lepak and do nothing. It was good!!! But it didn't last long anyway, the lepak thing. My brain started working again and I got myself involved in many activities as usual. So doing nothing doesn't suit me actually.

I appeared quite briefly in Selamat Pagi Malaysia RTM 1 on Tuesday 1 June 2009 at 8.30 am. I was talking about hypnosis in stop-smoking in World Tobacco Free Day campaign. I took Sheila Menon, Principal of LCCH (London College of Clinical Hypnosis) in Malaysia with me. She is not very proficient in Malay but she tried. Though I can talk about LCCH, I thought it would be good to have her appeared so that people know what LCCH is and who is the person to contact. I am glad the producer agreed even though the section was brief for me to explain about the process in stop smoking hypnosis. My hope is more Malay speaking people watched and created a desire to stop smoking, if they smoke. Smoking is a menace to society. I hate the selfish behaviour of some smokers who throw cigarette butts anywhere (plenty of this disgusting behaviour at the apartment where I live especially during weekeends, public holidays and school holidays), smoke even in no smoking area and have no respect for other people's comfort. I get turned off when I know a person I have contact with, smoke. But my total turn off is, of course, when a person drinks alcohol. They smell like rotten fish!!

I was sheduled to have a patient in University Hospital Orthopedic Clinic for Hypnosis in Pain Management after the RTM interview. It's a research project and was looking forward to give my help. I was disappointed when I was informed that the patient called to say he was not able to come. But Allah is great. I found out an old friend at university, staying quite near my house, is ill with cancer. It was such a sad news. I lost a number of friends to cancer. So the time slotted for UH is destined for her.

I paid her a visit and talked to her husband. I offered to do hypnosis to take her into trance so that she can really relax. But no promise was made that I can take away her pain. It's another alternative for her to deal with her pain. You know, when you are in pain you will try anything to alleviate your pain. Her husband said she has been asking who can help her so that she can feel some comfort to deal with her pain. He was grateful that I came along. It saddened my heart to see her condition - from a beautiful, active, ex-school principal to a lady with skin and bones. I told her husband I am no angel but just want to help in a way that I know.

So on 2 June at 10 am, I did a hypnosis session to meet her goal - to feel comfort when she is in pain so that the pain is not so excruciating. I taught her how to do self-hypnosis whenever she wants so that she can relax herself and helps to relieve some of her pains. She went into trance almost immediately. When I awoke her, after a glass of water, the three of us sat down and talked a bit. Her husband noticed that she was more alert and her eyes were wide opened, compared to before, her complexion was not as pale as before. She said she felt relaxed and light. I noticed that too but that was some of the effects experienced by patients after hypnosis sessions. I was glad to see her more alert. I took my leave and reminded her husband to tell her doctors that she is having hypnosis sessions. I made appointment to see her again on 7 June after Izrin's engagement party. I just pray to Allah that she is relieved a bit from her suffering and able to sleep well. I am going to focus on this in the next session.

At my age, I feel, wealth, possessions, success etc. are not important anymore. My outlook on life has changed so much. Some people commented that I am selfish for thinking about myself all the time. I am, if you think that way. I have cared and thought about the well-being of others, about the comfort of life, about worldly possessions, for a long time and they have little meaning to me now. The most precious commodity is HEALTH. As Quek, my old university friend who is a rich man but suffered a stroke said, 'If you have money, you can't buy health but if you have health, you can make money.' Isn't that an apt quote?

Life is marvellous, every second counts.