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Tuesday, 25 August 2015
A Journey Through The Himalayas
Annapurna Circuit Trek
by Sim Meng Keong 24.8.2015
As the saying goes “The world is a book, those who do not travel, read only a page”. Travel not only enlightens our senses and broadens our minds, it creates a healthier perspective about life when we experience new things, meet different people and culture.
Trekking Himalaya is one item in my bucket list. So when Soon Fatt invited me in June 2014 to join him and his two friends for the Annapurna Circuit Trek, I immediately seized the opportunity to see this part of the world which offers challenging and fascinating landscape. It was a perfect timing to embark on this 18 days journey as my request for early retirement from Nestle has just been approved at that time.
We planned to travel to Nepal for the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Sept/Oct 2014 as this is the best season for trekking. The weather is sunny and warm with outstanding views but the nights are slightly cold.
As I have no prior experience in mountain trekking, I soon started my intensive training (with guidance from Soon Fatt) by climbing Bukit Gasing every Sunday for three months before the trip.
Brief Summary of our ACT (Annapurna Circuit Trek)
The actual trek took us 18 days to cover the circuit of 300km route around the Annapurna mountain range. Our starting point was at Besisahar. We stopped at several villages along the ACT before reaching Thorong-La Pass which is a mountain pass that stays as the highest pass in the world with an elevation of 5,416 metres (17,769 ft) above sea level in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, in central Nepal. We trekked till Nayapul before being driven to Pokhara and thereafter to Kathmandu where we ended our ACT.
Throughout the ACT, we were captivated by the magnificent sceneries with snow-capped mountain, raging rivers and waterfalls, enchanting forest, beautiful farms and villages and its friendly people.
Below is our day-to-day itinerary.
Day 1 : Arrival at Kathamandu
We arrived at Kathmandu Airport in the evening. We were swiftly checked into our hotel by the tour agents who organised the ACT. We did our last minute shopping for gloves, down jackets and other accessories. After that we had our delicious Thakali dinner.
Day 2 : Kathmandu to Besisahar (180km)
After an excellent breakfast, we were driven in a van for almost 4 hours through the foothills of Himalaya to Besisahar. We rested after the long journey.
Day 3 : Besisahar to Ngadi (14km)
After a hearty breakfast, we set off at 7.30am and we walked for 3 hours and 30 minutes before reaching a guest house in Ngadi where we stayed overnight. We were lucky to have made it to the guest house just before the heavy rain.
Day 4 : Ngadi to Jagat (20km)
After a solid warm-up first day trek, today’s walk began with an easy winding path from Ngadi. We trekked for more than 5 hours across suspension bridge, steep climbs and farm terraces before we arrived at Jagat where we stayed overnight. Magnificent views of the raging waterfalls and river on our route to Jagat.
Day 5 : Jagat to Dharapani (27km)
Next morning we set out to Dharapani. The journey took us 5 hours 30 minutes across suspension bridge over the raging Marsyangdi River and steep climbs before reaching our destination. We stayed at a guest house that has the beautiful view of the raging Marsyangdi River.
Day 6 : Dharapani to Chame (17km)
From Dharapani onwards, the vegetation, the local inhabitants and the general landscapes go through a gradual change as the air gets cooler, the trail then climbs through forests and to the alpine region passing through farms, orchards, waterfalls and beautiful pine forest. We camped at Chame after some 6 hours of good walking.
Day 7: Chame to Pisang (19.5km)
From Chame, we continued on the gradual path up to a bridge, from the bridge a short steep climb through the pine forest brought us to the top ridge of the Pisang village. We arrived at Pisang village after trekking for 4 hours 15 minutes and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Day 8 : Pisang to Manang (16km)
From Pisang onwards, we kept hiking with constant views of the high snow-capped peaks. The walk climbed more steeply now. On reaching the top, we stopped at a ridge to get our view of the Manang valley. On our way to Manang, we passed through several smaller villages. After 5 hours of walking we arrived at Manang where we stayed for 2 nights to enable us to acclimatise the high attitude.
Day 9 : Rest Day to acclimatise at Manang
A necessary day to rest, acclimatise and explore Manang. I had my first attempt to taste a Yak steak for dinner. I found the meat tough for a steak.
Day 10 : Manang to Yak Kharka (11.5km)
After a wonderful time at Manang, the trail from here leads to a slow climb for an hour, after the last village of Manang and the track gently winds up offering inspiring views of the Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Tiloche. After trekking for 3 hours 30 minutes along the scenic route we arrived at Yak Kharka.
Day 11 : Yak Kharka to High Camp (10km)
Our climb gradually leads to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi River and crossing via a wooden bridge. We stopped at Thorung Phedi for lunch before our steep climb to the High Camp. The trail from Phedi follows on the winding gravel path as the walk in the beginning can be quite strenuous on the steep zigzag path for an hour and a half before we reached the High Camp. We had an early rest as we had to wake up early the next morning before 4am.
Day 12 : High Camp to Muktinah via Thorung-La Pass (16km)
Today was the big day as we found ourselves going through the highest point of this trek over Thorung-La. We started very early in the morning before the break of dawn after a quick breakfast of oat and tea, so that we could reach the top of the pass before the chill wind started blowing. After 3 hours of slow and strenuous walk due to low oxygen level and the cold air, we reached the height of 5,415 meters at Thorung-La. It was a triumphant moment especially for me. The views of the high Himalayan scenery was simply stunning.
Snow-capped mountain peak near Thorung-La Pass. This is the area where more than 40 trekkers perished during the snow storm in Oct 2014 just after we passed by this area a week earlier.
The descent from Thorung-La was steep and rough. From here, we took a longer route to descend to the sacred village of Muktinath. We stayed overnight at Muktinath.
Day 13 : Muktinath to Marpha (27km)
After the strenuous day as it was hard on the knees to Muktinath, our journey carried on with a 1,200m of descent to the Kaligandaki river valley floor. From here onwards, the valley became very windy in the afternoon. The scene along this route was awesome. Another 2 hours of gentle trails we reached the large town of Jomsom where we had our lunch.
Another two hours of easy walk from Jomsom towards the south east brought us to Marpha for the overnight stop.
Day 14 : Marpha to Lete (22km)
From Marpha, the walk was very enjoyable following the Kaligandaki River downstream. Soon we reached another charming village of Tukuche. After another 3 hours of walking we arrived at the village of Lete for our overnight stay.
Day 15 : Lete to Tatopani (26km)
It was a pleasant walk from Lete to Tatopani amidst the beautiful surroundings, terraced paddy fields and the beautiful waterfall of Rupsi Chhare. After 5 hours 30 minutes of walking, we arrived at Tatopani, a nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of Kaligandaki. Overnight at Tatopani.
Day 16 : Tatopani to Ghorepani (17km)
After a wonderful time at Tatopani and immersing ourselves in its warm pools, our trek continued towards the east on a gradual trail crossing suspension bridge over the Kaligandaki River and uphill climb. The climb was quite steep to the top. After a strenuous 5 hours of walking, we arrived at Ghorepani where we rested early as we had to wake up early the next morning to get the best view of the sunrise at Poon-Hill.
Day 17 : Ghorepani to Tirkhedhunga (17km)
Just before 5am, we hiked up for more than an hour to the top of Poon-Hill at 3,195m attitude. We experienced a stunning and beautiful sunrise with superb panorama view over the Dhaulagiri-Annapurna to Mt. Manaslu range.
After a busy photo session, we returned to the camp at Ghorepani for breakfast. From Ghorepani we walked on a downhill path passing through cool shade of forests and small villages till we reached Banthali.
After lunch, we continued on a gradual trail for a short period and then a long descend from Ulleri village on the stone paved steps all the way to the suspension bridge at Tirkedhunga and finally to our guest house where we stayed overnight.
Day 18 : Tirkedhunga to Nayapul (9km)
After a lovely morning at Tirkedhunga, a beautiful walk took us on a gradual downhill path most of the way passing through rural farm villages and great views of cascading waterfalls nearby before reaching Nayapul. From Nayapul, we hopped into a taxi for an interesting scenic drive of less than two hours to Pokhara for our final stop before getting back to Kathmandu.
Reflection
I would consider the Annapurna Circuit Trek experience a great personal achievement. I have learnt to be more discipline and independent and more confident in what I can achieve by viewing obstacles as just part of my life for me to move forward. This challenging back-to-nature experience, the beautiful sceneries and the friendly people of Nepal will forever remain in my memory.
by Sim Meng Keong 24.8.2015
As the saying goes “The world is a book, those who do not travel, read only a page”. Travel not only enlightens our senses and broadens our minds, it creates a healthier perspective about life when we experience new things, meet different people and culture.
Trekking Himalaya is one item in my bucket list. So when Soon Fatt invited me in June 2014 to join him and his two friends for the Annapurna Circuit Trek, I immediately seized the opportunity to see this part of the world which offers challenging and fascinating landscape. It was a perfect timing to embark on this 18 days journey as my request for early retirement from Nestle has just been approved at that time.
We planned to travel to Nepal for the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Sept/Oct 2014 as this is the best season for trekking. The weather is sunny and warm with outstanding views but the nights are slightly cold.
As I have no prior experience in mountain trekking, I soon started my intensive training (with guidance from Soon Fatt) by climbing Bukit Gasing every Sunday for three months before the trip.
Brief Summary of our ACT (Annapurna Circuit Trek)
The actual trek took us 18 days to cover the circuit of 300km route around the Annapurna mountain range. Our starting point was at Besisahar. We stopped at several villages along the ACT before reaching Thorong-La Pass which is a mountain pass that stays as the highest pass in the world with an elevation of 5,416 metres (17,769 ft) above sea level in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, in central Nepal. We trekked till Nayapul before being driven to Pokhara and thereafter to Kathmandu where we ended our ACT.
Throughout the ACT, we were captivated by the magnificent sceneries with snow-capped mountain, raging rivers and waterfalls, enchanting forest, beautiful farms and villages and its friendly people.
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The Annapurna Circuit Trek covers a total of
300km
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Below is our day-to-day itinerary.
Day 1 : Arrival at Kathamandu
We arrived at Kathmandu Airport in the evening. We were swiftly checked into our hotel by the tour agents who organised the ACT. We did our last minute shopping for gloves, down jackets and other accessories. After that we had our delicious Thakali dinner.
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Delicious Thakali dinner
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Day 2 : Kathmandu to Besisahar (180km)
After an excellent breakfast, we were driven in a van for almost 4 hours through the foothills of Himalaya to Besisahar. We rested after the long journey.
Day 3 : Besisahar to Ngadi (14km)
After a hearty breakfast, we set off at 7.30am and we walked for 3 hours and 30 minutes before reaching a guest house in Ngadi where we stayed overnight. We were lucky to have made it to the guest house just before the heavy rain.
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The team posing for group photo just before
starting off on our ATC journey
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Day 4 : Ngadi to Jagat (20km)
After a solid warm-up first day trek, today’s walk began with an easy winding path from Ngadi. We trekked for more than 5 hours across suspension bridge, steep climbs and farm terraces before we arrived at Jagat where we stayed overnight. Magnificent views of the raging waterfalls and river on our route to Jagat.
Day 5 : Jagat to Dharapani (27km)
Next morning we set out to Dharapani. The journey took us 5 hours 30 minutes across suspension bridge over the raging Marsyangdi River and steep climbs before reaching our destination. We stayed at a guest house that has the beautiful view of the raging Marsyangdi River.
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The raging Marsyangdi River
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Day 6 : Dharapani to Chame (17km)
From Dharapani onwards, the vegetation, the local inhabitants and the general landscapes go through a gradual change as the air gets cooler, the trail then climbs through forests and to the alpine region passing through farms, orchards, waterfalls and beautiful pine forest. We camped at Chame after some 6 hours of good walking.
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Multiple Waterfalls enroute to Chame
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Our guest house
in Chame
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Day 7: Chame to Pisang (19.5km)
From Chame, we continued on the gradual path up to a bridge, from the bridge a short steep climb through the pine forest brought us to the top ridge of the Pisang village. We arrived at Pisang village after trekking for 4 hours 15 minutes and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
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Marsyangdi River along the route to Pisang
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From Pisang onwards, we kept hiking with constant views of the high snow-capped peaks. The walk climbed more steeply now. On reaching the top, we stopped at a ridge to get our view of the Manang valley. On our way to Manang, we passed through several smaller villages. After 5 hours of walking we arrived at Manang where we stayed for 2 nights to enable us to acclimatise the high attitude.
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Scenic spot along the route to Manang
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A necessary day to rest, acclimatise and explore Manang. I had my first attempt to taste a Yak steak for dinner. I found the meat tough for a steak.
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Our trekking team having dinner at the guest house
in Manang
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The view from our guest house of the Gangapurna
mountain range
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Admiring the Annapurna massif
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Manang town site on the mountain edge
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After a wonderful time at Manang, the trail from here leads to a slow climb for an hour, after the last village of Manang and the track gently winds up offering inspiring views of the Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Tiloche. After trekking for 3 hours 30 minutes along the scenic route we arrived at Yak Kharka.
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Mountain range along the route to Yak Kharka
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Our climb gradually leads to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi River and crossing via a wooden bridge. We stopped at Thorung Phedi for lunch before our steep climb to the High Camp. The trail from Phedi follows on the winding gravel path as the walk in the beginning can be quite strenuous on the steep zigzag path for an hour and a half before we reached the High Camp. We had an early rest as we had to wake up early the next morning before 4am.
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Scenic stop enroute to Thorung Pedi, 4450m
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Steep ascend from Thorung Pedi to High Camp
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View from High Camp
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Today was the big day as we found ourselves going through the highest point of this trek over Thorung-La. We started very early in the morning before the break of dawn after a quick breakfast of oat and tea, so that we could reach the top of the pass before the chill wind started blowing. After 3 hours of slow and strenuous walk due to low oxygen level and the cold air, we reached the height of 5,415 meters at Thorung-La. It was a triumphant moment especially for me. The views of the high Himalayan scenery was simply stunning.
Snow-capped mountain peak near Thorung-La Pass. This is the area where more than 40 trekkers perished during the snow storm in Oct 2014 just after we passed by this area a week earlier.
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Approaching Thorung-La Pass
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Soon Fatt and Ming Keong at Thorung-La Pass
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Steep Descend from Thorung-La Pass
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Day 13 : Muktinath to Marpha (27km)
After the strenuous day as it was hard on the knees to Muktinath, our journey carried on with a 1,200m of descent to the Kaligandaki river valley floor. From here onwards, the valley became very windy in the afternoon. The scene along this route was awesome. Another 2 hours of gentle trails we reached the large town of Jomsom where we had our lunch.
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Mirror Lake on the way to Jomsom
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Trekkers applying innovative clothes drying
technique on the way to Jomsom
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View of the valley at Kaligandaki River
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Scenic spot enroute to Jomsom
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Another two hours of easy walk from Jomsom towards the south east brought us to Marpha for the overnight stop.
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Marpha town completely whitewashed and free
of animal droppings
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Our homely guest house in Marpha
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From Marpha, the walk was very enjoyable following the Kaligandaki River downstream. Soon we reached another charming village of Tukuche. After another 3 hours of walking we arrived at the village of Lete for our overnight stay.
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Our trek enroute to Lete
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It was a pleasant walk from Lete to Tatopani amidst the beautiful surroundings, terraced paddy fields and the beautiful waterfall of Rupsi Chhare. After 5 hours 30 minutes of walking, we arrived at Tatopani, a nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of Kaligandaki. Overnight at Tatopani.
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Beautiful waterfall of Rupsi Chhare
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Our guest house at Tatopani
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Soon Fatt and Ming Keong at Tatopani’s hot
spring
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After a wonderful time at Tatopani and immersing ourselves in its warm pools, our trek continued towards the east on a gradual trail crossing suspension bridge over the Kaligandaki River and uphill climb. The climb was quite steep to the top. After a strenuous 5 hours of walking, we arrived at Ghorepani where we rested early as we had to wake up early the next morning to get the best view of the sunrise at Poon-Hill.
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Steep ascend to Ghorepani
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Just before 5am, we hiked up for more than an hour to the top of Poon-Hill at 3,195m attitude. We experienced a stunning and beautiful sunrise with superb panorama view over the Dhaulagiri-Annapurna to Mt. Manaslu range.
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Mountain range seen from Poon-Hill before
sunrise
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Sunrise at mountain range taken at Poon-Hill
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Mountain range seen from Poon-Hill
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Soon Fatt and Ming Keong at Poon-Hill
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After lunch, we continued on a gradual trail for a short period and then a long descend from Ulleri village on the stone paved steps all the way to the suspension bridge at Tirkedhunga and finally to our guest house where we stayed overnight.
Day 18 : Tirkedhunga to Nayapul (9km)
After a lovely morning at Tirkedhunga, a beautiful walk took us on a gradual downhill path most of the way passing through rural farm villages and great views of cascading waterfalls nearby before reaching Nayapul. From Nayapul, we hopped into a taxi for an interesting scenic drive of less than two hours to Pokhara for our final stop before getting back to Kathmandu.
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Clear water stream along the route to Nayapul
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Enjoying farewell dinner with our chief guide
and trekking agency team at Rum Doodle, Kathmandu, where we left our Foot Print
before ending our ACT journey at Kathmandu.
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| Our Foot Print |
I would consider the Annapurna Circuit Trek experience a great personal achievement. I have learnt to be more discipline and independent and more confident in what I can achieve by viewing obstacles as just part of my life for me to move forward. This challenging back-to-nature experience, the beautiful sceneries and the friendly people of Nepal will forever remain in my memory.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
My Unforgettable Experience
THE MOUNTAINS ARE WAITING FOR ME!
By Chan Soon Fatt
12.08.2015
For a retiree who had been to thoroughly grounded to always to expect the unexpected, and being a strong advocate of applying potential problem analysis to prepare against Murphy’s Law ! in my work and my passion for travels off the beaten tracks (especially high altitude mountain trekking), my world came crashing down on 21st April 2015 during my routine 5.30am brisk walking exercise in preparation for my forthcoming Mt. Kilimanjaro trek for Q3and Q4 2015 which I was earnestly looking forward to.
My left side of body suddenly went limp. Realising the worst, I tried to drag myself homeward but my left foot felt like it weighed a ton. Sensing the body imbalance, I quickly sat on the grass curb. Fortunately, fellow early brisk walkers came running to my aid.
Still being able to talk, I requested their assistance to summon my wife from my home. Within minutes she drove over and delivered me immediately to University Malaya Medical Centre Emergency Trauma Admission. The trauma team was very professional and after a quick blitz of Q & A, I felt as though I was in an ER TV series. A CT Scan was immediately performed and diagnosed my problem was due to right frontal lobe cerebral bleed. A surgery was advised against due to high risks involved but which may be necessary if the bleeding continued. Fortunately it did not! Thank GOD FOR HIS MERCY and GRACE! The next 9 days was spent in ICU at the NEUROSURGICAL WARD and subsequently transferred to Neuro-surgical Rehabilitation Ward after a follow up CT Scan confirmed the cerebral bleeding had ceased.
Word soon spread about my predicament..
I was very touched and blessed by the steady stream of concerned visitors that ensued with many surprises! Many expressed shock and disbelief knowing my good fitness level.
A big heartfelt thank you to all my visitors who wished me positive “jia yew” or “add oil” pact for a speedy rapid recovery and rehabilitation.
✔ A Delegation OF operators from Milk Powder Dept, NMMPJ
✔ Visitors from MNRA mgmt. committee members
✔ Fellow retirees, my travelling & makan makan buddies
✔ Past Work Collaborators and friends from Nestle HQ and factories
✔ Production Director and Factory Managers from CEIC, Sri Muda, NMMPJ,
✔ Family members, Church brethren and concerned USJ 11 neighbours, fellow Gasing hill trekkers.
Thank you too for all the fruit baskets which was shared with the Neuro Ward team nurses on Nurses Day. Because of the new MILO Nutri G (a gift from En.Adnan Pawanteh ),which was shared with my therapists, I soon became tagged as Uncle Nestle in the Neuro Rehab ward.
A Powerful motivational aid during my low periods- a GET WELL WISHING CARD made by a good family friend who trawled our fb accounts for memorable photos of beloved family members.
Chronology of rehabilitation important events
1. 26/4/15 admission into Neurosurgical trauma ward. CT Scan performed confirms a right frontal lobe bleed.
2. 28/4/15 repeat CT SCAN confirm cerebral haemorrhage has ceased
3. 29/4/15 discharged from trauma ward and transferred to neurosurgical rehab ward
4. 5/5/15 first sign of recovery-able to move left leg
5. 10/5/15 Able to sit upright with balanced posture for meals and reading.
6. 13/5/15 able to transfer self from bed to wheel chair and vice versa and use of move to toilet and shower without assistance.
7. Started training walking with roller walking frame
8. 18/5/15. House inspection by occupational therapist to assess safety status of home for hospital discharge.
9. 2/6/5/15 Training to stand up with quadripod.
The turning point in the rehabilitation. Successfully walked several rounds inside the physio therapy room under close supervision by physiotherapist who held onto the rear of my pants fearing for my safety.
10. 3/6/15 based on 2/5/15 Neuro team weekly patients review, neuro team announced I was ready to be dischsarged on 6/6/15.
11.3-5/15. Put thru intensive staircase and platform walk training in preparation for home discharge.
Learning pointers:
1.No one is immune from stroke attack especially if you suffer from hypertension and cholesterol. Know your health status. Do not be stingy on Health checks. Senior citizens as ‘warga mas’ can register for at a govt. hospital or klinik rakyat nearest your residence and medication prescribed is FOC. It just requires a little effort to register yourself and sacrificing some personal time.
2.Watch your diet, do EXERCISE
3.For accelerated stroke recovery:
a) Refrain from wallowing in depression, suicidal thoughts and emotional distress especially the feeling of uselessness and thinking of self being degenerating into a permanent retard and becoming a burden to loved ones. Do not give up on living.
b) Dwell on happy reasons to want a speedy recovery and lead a normal life.
c) Your spouse play a big role too! Simply by being at your side. Even that, do recognize she or he has their own life to live too! It would be expecting too much of them to be a permanent Care giver. Their well being is equally important!
4. A picture of beloved ones close by does wonders as it reminds you of the good times spent enjoying seeing your children growing up - a powerful reason to want to strive for rapid recovery and lead a normal life
5. Consciously make effort to practice all the physiotherapeutical routines. Rehabilitation requires lots of disciplineand enduring pain from over stretched muscles and limbs joints. Recovery takes a lot of effort
6.Consider MAKING YOUR home elder friendly or apply the multi generational home concept to modern living.
Even as I am writing this, my trekmates had just touched down in Kilimamanjaro
Airport, being greeted by a hopping Masai troupe, an event which I was supposed
to be a participant.
By Chan Soon Fatt
12.08.2015
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ANNAPURNA’S THOLONG LA High Camp View Point,50000M
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My left side of body suddenly went limp. Realising the worst, I tried to drag myself homeward but my left foot felt like it weighed a ton. Sensing the body imbalance, I quickly sat on the grass curb. Fortunately, fellow early brisk walkers came running to my aid.
Still being able to talk, I requested their assistance to summon my wife from my home. Within minutes she drove over and delivered me immediately to University Malaya Medical Centre Emergency Trauma Admission. The trauma team was very professional and after a quick blitz of Q & A, I felt as though I was in an ER TV series. A CT Scan was immediately performed and diagnosed my problem was due to right frontal lobe cerebral bleed. A surgery was advised against due to high risks involved but which may be necessary if the bleeding continued. Fortunately it did not! Thank GOD FOR HIS MERCY and GRACE! The next 9 days was spent in ICU at the NEUROSURGICAL WARD and subsequently transferred to Neuro-surgical Rehabilitation Ward after a follow up CT Scan confirmed the cerebral bleeding had ceased.
Word soon spread about my predicament..
I was very touched and blessed by the steady stream of concerned visitors that ensued with many surprises! Many expressed shock and disbelief knowing my good fitness level.
A big heartfelt thank you to all my visitors who wished me positive “jia yew” or “add oil” pact for a speedy rapid recovery and rehabilitation.
✔ A Delegation OF operators from Milk Powder Dept, NMMPJ
✔ Visitors from MNRA mgmt. committee members
✔ Fellow retirees, my travelling & makan makan buddies
✔ Past Work Collaborators and friends from Nestle HQ and factories
✔ Production Director and Factory Managers from CEIC, Sri Muda, NMMPJ,
✔ Family members, Church brethren and concerned USJ 11 neighbours, fellow Gasing hill trekkers.
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| MNRA management committee members |
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| MNRA management committee members |
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Visitor from HQ,& FM,NMMPJ’S FM
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Ex Nestle collaborator
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Thank you too for all the fruit baskets which was shared with the Neuro Ward team nurses on Nurses Day. Because of the new MILO Nutri G (a gift from En.Adnan Pawanteh ),which was shared with my therapists, I soon became tagged as Uncle Nestle in the Neuro Rehab ward.
A Powerful motivational aid during my low periods- a GET WELL WISHING CARD made by a good family friend who trawled our fb accounts for memorable photos of beloved family members.
Chronology of rehabilitation important events
1. 26/4/15 admission into Neurosurgical trauma ward. CT Scan performed confirms a right frontal lobe bleed.
2. 28/4/15 repeat CT SCAN confirm cerebral haemorrhage has ceased
3. 29/4/15 discharged from trauma ward and transferred to neurosurgical rehab ward
4. 5/5/15 first sign of recovery-able to move left leg
5. 10/5/15 Able to sit upright with balanced posture for meals and reading.
6. 13/5/15 able to transfer self from bed to wheel chair and vice versa and use of move to toilet and shower without assistance.
7. Started training walking with roller walking frame
8. 18/5/15. House inspection by occupational therapist to assess safety status of home for hospital discharge.
9. 2/6/5/15 Training to stand up with quadripod.
The turning point in the rehabilitation. Successfully walked several rounds inside the physio therapy room under close supervision by physiotherapist who held onto the rear of my pants fearing for my safety.
10. 3/6/15 based on 2/5/15 Neuro team weekly patients review, neuro team announced I was ready to be dischsarged on 6/6/15.
11.3-5/15. Put thru intensive staircase and platform walk training in preparation for home discharge.
Learning pointers:
1.No one is immune from stroke attack especially if you suffer from hypertension and cholesterol. Know your health status. Do not be stingy on Health checks. Senior citizens as ‘warga mas’ can register for at a govt. hospital or klinik rakyat nearest your residence and medication prescribed is FOC. It just requires a little effort to register yourself and sacrificing some personal time.
2.Watch your diet, do EXERCISE
3.For accelerated stroke recovery:
a) Refrain from wallowing in depression, suicidal thoughts and emotional distress especially the feeling of uselessness and thinking of self being degenerating into a permanent retard and becoming a burden to loved ones. Do not give up on living.
b) Dwell on happy reasons to want a speedy recovery and lead a normal life.
c) Your spouse play a big role too! Simply by being at your side. Even that, do recognize she or he has their own life to live too! It would be expecting too much of them to be a permanent Care giver. Their well being is equally important!
4. A picture of beloved ones close by does wonders as it reminds you of the good times spent enjoying seeing your children growing up - a powerful reason to want to strive for rapid recovery and lead a normal life
5. Consciously make effort to practice all the physiotherapeutical routines. Rehabilitation requires lots of disciplineand enduring pain from over stretched muscles and limbs joints. Recovery takes a lot of effort
6.Consider MAKING YOUR home elder friendly or apply the multi generational home concept to modern living.
DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION: YES I WENT through it too! Now I can emphatise with other
stroke patients and neglected elderly who whines about not finding purpose in
continuing living being a very active and independent person now reduced to to a
handicapped state now is really depressing.
All the windows in the rehab ward and
open baconies are secured safe fron jumpers. In my quiet time I asked “ WHY
ME GOD?” just as as I was enjoying myself, my retired lifestyle and adventures.
HE’s not finished with me yet! It’s just a temporary sabattical for me to slow down.
My family still needs me!. My son and
daughter both conspired to return home from overseas to visit me
unannounced on my birthday. My wife constantly reaasured me she will always be there for me and will take care of me and reminded me of our marriage vow on our commitment to each other ”TO LOVE AND
CARE FOR EACH OTHER IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH till death do us part”. A picture
of beloved ones close by does wonders as it reminds you of the
people important in your life, especially your spouse and your children .
Even as I am writing this, my trekmates had just touched down in Kilimamanjaro
Airport, being greeted by a hopping Masai troupe, an event which I was supposed
to be a participant. 
I am so disappointed that I was going to miss my 14D Mt.Kilimanjaro
Trek/Serenggeti adventure and Everest 3 high pass trek planned for October ’15
this year. I reassured myself Not to WORRY. The mountains are not going away and
there will be other opportunities.
The rehab ward requires me to wear adult pampers; ME! a 59 yr old
29years trained Nestle moulded hygiene advocate wearing pampers can’t phantom
myself wallowing in my excrement urrgh! Digusting! I had made up my mind, NO
WAY!. I will get myself to the toilet whatever it takes! Thus a push to be
independent and mobile first targeting wheel chair mobility.
The therapist had
been training me to optimise the use of my strong right hand and leg and coaching
me to stand on weak left leg, a lot of focus on interlocking the bones at the
knee and body posture balancing. So a lot of ”kunci lutut!” and “badan tegak! intructions
kept ringing at my ears lead to being able to stand upright and independent
transfer to and from hospital bed to/from wheelchair made easy and full
independence in the ward.
My status rating chart was upgraded from mobility
requiring assistance to independent with minimal assistance. Soon I developed
my own rhythm guide:
1) Lock Left knee. 2) Bend the knees. 3) Lift forward left
leg,move I step forward. 4) Stop, balance body posture. 5) Move right leg forward.
This instructions had to be verbalized to constantly remind myself as it is
critical not to miss a single step as it helped
accelerate my walking recovery. In my own free time I spent practising walking around the
rehab ward, greeting fellow patients as I passed their bed rooms. Shortly after
this I was given the nod to be discharged. My much improved independence and
mobility has taken a huge load off my wife’s shoulder as she no longer need to
be watching over my shoulders. Now at home I move about independently to my
aircond bedroom on the first floor as the TV and laptop are all in the bed room.
My rehabilitation still continues as an outpatient at PPUM as well as
reinforcing with alternative treatments eg., accupunture, electrical stimulus TREATMENT
that’s suppose to massage your blood vessles 70x per second. No doubt, FULL
RECOVERY WILL TAKE TIME AND LOTS OF EFFORT.
I GOT AN
APPOINTMENT TO KEEP WITH THE MOUNTAINS WHICH ARE WAITING FOR ME!
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