In late Sept 2009, my wife went to a gastroenterologist at a private hospital in PJ for a scope on the stomach and colon. My wife has been treated for H Pylori by this Gastro man for past months. The last scope indicated no more H Pylori but instead acute esophagus (as explained by this gastro man). At that time, the specialist attributed the cause of this ‘ new discovery’ as too much treatment on the H Pylori. Of course I inquired then which is the devil- H Pylori or the ‘acute esophagus’. He just laughed it off. We left the hospital and I goggled for treatment on acute esophagus. I later bought marshmallow (recommended as a cure for acute esophagus)
This time (late Sept 09), the scope shows colon is clean while there is recurrence of the H Pylori. The gastro man prescribed medicine (antibiotic with other medicine) to treat H Pylori again. I posed the question that in last session where ’ you advised my wife has acute esophagus due to too much treatment. Is this wise to treat the H Pylori?’ The doctor insisted he did not said too much treatment caused acute esophagus, but rather H Pylori caused the acute esophagus. I was really pissed off with this specialist.
This specialist further made a quick remark; we did a ultrasound scan and detected a stone. Right away he recommended us to see another doctor. We had no chance to inquire further. My wife got worried and insisted to see the recommended doctor in the same hospital.
Within 30 minutes, we go to see this specialist, and it turned out that he is a surgeon. He read the report by the radiologist (on the ultrasound scan) on one stone 7mm with irregular wall of gall bladder. The Radiologist termed it as chronic cholecystitis. We said my wife had never complained of any pain in the abdomen where the gall bladder is located (non –symptom stone). This surgeon painted a very bleak picture of no immediate action to remove by surgery (lapro cholecystitis) and my wife got worried.
We left the hospital and googgled on gall bladder stones. Indeed, it is common for human (especially women ) to have non-symptomatic gall bladder stones. The Web does advise actions to remove stones that show symptoms less there are complication to pancreas, livers and bile ducts. The Web also give alternatives such as ‘blasting’ and ‘dissolution’ by medicine.
We finally went to see a family GP for further advise. He perused the blood test to confirm no tests was done to determine concentration of H Pylori (the gastro man only did a biopsy on one poly he clipped during scoping; In previous sessions with this specialist, my wife had to exhale into a bag to determine H Pylori concentration). The GP recommended 3 months session to try ROWACHOL, a medicine which I have googgled previously. We took this option, rather than to remove the gall bladder.
(P.S the gastro man is a very ambitious man- his takes in patient without appointment and clinic daily finished till 7pm; by 5.30 nearly all other specialists would have closed their clinics in this private hospital. NEVER go to see a specialist who worked ‘hard’ to receive many patients)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Too frequent funerals in past 2 months
From July 2009 till Sept 2009, I attended 4 funerals of persons whom I have been very close or known very well. In early July 2009, my 2nd uncle (mother side) passed away due to 'massive cardiac arrest'. He died in the hospital after complaining difficulty of breathing He was 85 years old. One week later, Chow KK, a good friend and a previous director -general of the Malaysian Met Department, passed away in his sleep. He was 63 years old. Then in early Sept 2009, my mother-in-law passed away. She was 83 years old and had been having medical problem. One week thereafter, a brother-in-law(wife's side) passsed away due to cancer of lung. He was 50 years old, and he left behind 3 kids (eldest is Standard 6 and youngest is Standard 1); fortunately the wife works and is relatively successful in sales.
As I step in the late 50s, seem funerals are common , especially with aunties, uncles, relatives reaching the 70-90 years old. Nowadays, when a phone rings, especially at night, I get jumpy and prepared for the worst
As I step in the late 50s, seem funerals are common , especially with aunties, uncles, relatives reaching the 70-90 years old. Nowadays, when a phone rings, especially at night, I get jumpy and prepared for the worst
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Drivers on the North-South Highway beware of this practice
On the 20/09/09 (1st day of 2009 Hari Raya Aidilfitri), I drove from Alor Setar to KL. Somewhere before Tapah, there was this sole motorcylist with his yellow light blinking and he was speeding at 120km/hr catching up on me. I have encountred big-bikers that zoomed at higher speed (and in convoys) and no problem with them passing me in the space between cars. But this motorcyclist (seem like a Vespa -type) insisted on behaving as a 'car' and waved me aside to give way. No problem with that as I'd not want to endanger him. After giving him the way, I then realised there was a car following closely behind this bike; the car did not attempt to overtake. Looked asif a 'private escort' or 'private outrider'.
The highway authority should look out for such practice and put a stop to it, as there could be unpleasant incidents or event accidents by such antics
The highway authority should look out for such practice and put a stop to it, as there could be unpleasant incidents or event accidents by such antics
A 'clash' of 2 events during Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009
I have all along planned to attend my nephew's wedding in Klang on 1st day Lunar Month August 2009. This'd have been the first wedding of my many nephews.
Unfortunately, my mother-in-law passed away in Alor Setar just 7 days fore the wedding event. We (wife, daughter and I) went to Alor Setar to join the rest of the family for the funeral which went on for 4 days, and on the 5th day of her death, Mother-in-law was cremated in a Thai Wat in Bagan Serai (Kedah) We continued to stay on in Alor Setar, as on the 7th day (the day of my nephew wedding, 1st day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009), we have to collect her ashes/bones.
On the 7th day, the family went (in a convoy of cars) to Bagan Serai . This was my first experience of seeing the result of a cremation- out came the 'oven bed' on which clearly seen the outline of the remains of human skeleton. The lone worker picked up as many bones and ashes as possible and put them on a tray, the balance was sucked into a vacuum cleaner. The 2 monks then did some chanting after which we (family members) used chop sticks to pick up the small bones that were put inside a vase.
The vase was the wrapped in a yellow cloth and the family brought this vase to another Thai Wat located at the roundabout at Jalan Telok Wanjah. The 'box' of her her vase is beside the father-in-law; may the mather and father -in-law be together again in the 'other side' of the world.
Anyway, regardless whether I could have made it earlier (before the Hari Raya) to KL, I would not be able to attend the wedding of my nephew. By my attendance in the funeral, it is a taboo for me to attend the joyous wedding event of my nephew.
The driving on the 1st Day Hari Raya (20/09/09) was very good, with few cars on the road. There was no accident on North-South Highway from Alor Setar till KL
Another nephew will have his wedding early Jan 2010, and I am looking forward to attend that wedding
Unfortunately, my mother-in-law passed away in Alor Setar just 7 days fore the wedding event. We (wife, daughter and I) went to Alor Setar to join the rest of the family for the funeral which went on for 4 days, and on the 5th day of her death, Mother-in-law was cremated in a Thai Wat in Bagan Serai (Kedah) We continued to stay on in Alor Setar, as on the 7th day (the day of my nephew wedding, 1st day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009), we have to collect her ashes/bones.
On the 7th day, the family went (in a convoy of cars) to Bagan Serai . This was my first experience of seeing the result of a cremation- out came the 'oven bed' on which clearly seen the outline of the remains of human skeleton. The lone worker picked up as many bones and ashes as possible and put them on a tray, the balance was sucked into a vacuum cleaner. The 2 monks then did some chanting after which we (family members) used chop sticks to pick up the small bones that were put inside a vase.
The vase was the wrapped in a yellow cloth and the family brought this vase to another Thai Wat located at the roundabout at Jalan Telok Wanjah. The 'box' of her her vase is beside the father-in-law; may the mather and father -in-law be together again in the 'other side' of the world.
Anyway, regardless whether I could have made it earlier (before the Hari Raya) to KL, I would not be able to attend the wedding of my nephew. By my attendance in the funeral, it is a taboo for me to attend the joyous wedding event of my nephew.
The driving on the 1st Day Hari Raya (20/09/09) was very good, with few cars on the road. There was no accident on North-South Highway from Alor Setar till KL
Another nephew will have his wedding early Jan 2010, and I am looking forward to attend that wedding
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
DBKL Building Department advised my next step to get my CF
On 07/09/09 I finally managed to call a senior pegawai in Building Department DBKL regarding my present status of not gettiing the registered draughtsman (Hj Jamali Basir, BD/J7, with office in Pandan Indah ) to complete his works on my house renovation works. This draughstman has refused to answer my letter (sent by AR register) requesting him to (i) send me quotation for works to (a) submit a plan on the sanitory, as directed by DBKL Planning Department to the DBKL Building Department, renovation, (b) later works to get the CF by completing Form F, (ii) if he does not wish to continue to be the registered draughtsman for my renovation by doing items (i a) and (i b), then he has to send me a 'discharge letter' to discharge himself from my works - with that letter only does DBKL permits me to engage a new registered draughtsman to complete (i a) and (i b), as advised by pegawai of DBKL on such a by-law. i.e. house owner cannot do such works by themselves.
I have explained the above to the senior Pegawai, and he advised that I then issue my own letter to discharge this draughtsman and send a copy of the letter to DBKL. I have been banging my head with DBKL for such an advise, but none had been forthcoming.
Ok , I shall then doing accoridngly, and see how this goes
I have explained the above to the senior Pegawai, and he advised that I then issue my own letter to discharge this draughtsman and send a copy of the letter to DBKL. I have been banging my head with DBKL for such an advise, but none had been forthcoming.
Ok , I shall then doing accoridngly, and see how this goes
Maxis confirmed OUG has poor broadband connectivity
On 24/8, a Maxis technician came to my house in OUG to test the broadband connection which I have been complaining 'bad' since I moved in late July 2009. His test confirmed the poor connectivity (due to Maxis server) and agreed on the intermittent connection which I highlghted to Maxis broadband team (by email). He could not do anything further, except to lodge a report to Maxis on connection status in my area, proposed a rebate to Maxis for my billing and advised me to bring the sim card (inside the broadband) to Mais centre to exchnage for a new card.
On 26/8, I went to Maxis centre at the Garden (Midvalley) to get a new sim card. Testing at that office showed broadband speed reached >2 Mbps- very good. Alas, upon reaching home, same occurrences of frequent breaks in the broadband connection.
On 6/09/09, Maxis rep called me to inform that they had received the technician report. The rep said she would put a remark in the billign that I can terminate my service anytime, without paying a penalty of RM 200 for early termination of the 1 year broadband contract (I signed up in early July 2009 while I was staying in Taman Sri Sentosa where the connectioin was good during the 7 day trial period).
Too bad, I have loved the freedom with broadband, Guess I just have to stick with Streamyx and install a WIFI for home use.
On 26/8, I went to Maxis centre at the Garden (Midvalley) to get a new sim card. Testing at that office showed broadband speed reached >2 Mbps- very good. Alas, upon reaching home, same occurrences of frequent breaks in the broadband connection.
On 6/09/09, Maxis rep called me to inform that they had received the technician report. The rep said she would put a remark in the billign that I can terminate my service anytime, without paying a penalty of RM 200 for early termination of the 1 year broadband contract (I signed up in early July 2009 while I was staying in Taman Sri Sentosa where the connectioin was good during the 7 day trial period).
Too bad, I have loved the freedom with broadband, Guess I just have to stick with Streamyx and install a WIFI for home use.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bandarya Kuala Lumpur cannot help me on my CF for house renovation
Sighhhhhhhhh, I staill cannot get CF for completion of my renovated house, because the bl....y f---k the registered draughtsman (RD) who has been doing thre submission refused to do further works. My reference with DBKL is Ref no. BPS3 OSC 2008 1863.
below is the history on my present quandry
In July 2008, I went DBKL to seek advice on proper procedures/ type of renovations that can be accepted or approved for a double storey linked house in OUG. A Technical Assistant (TA) manning the counter at ground-floor DBKL recommended a few draughtsman whose name-cards he pulled out from the few name-card holders on his desk in front of me. Thinking such personnel would be credible in view of the recommendation, I contacted few of them and finally strike up an agreement on schedule of payment and phases of work (a mistake I made though to have the phase of works till approval by DBKL on the rebnovation, whereas it should be till release of the CF on the renovation completed; ; the draughtsman by name of Afizul did not advise on such incomplete works by him).
With all his particulars in my record, I paid deposit and this draughtsman quickly drew the renovation. After few amendments, Afizul submitted the plan to the Planning Department DBKL. He gave me the receipt by DBKL and I paid him accordingly. Soon, Planning Department gave the green light (on a Green-coloured form) to approve the renovation, subjected to further approval by Building Department (BD) DBKL. I missed reading one condition by Planning Department on submission of sanitary plan of the renovation to the BD DBKL.
Soon, this Afizul again submitted the required structural plan to BD DBKL and I was there with him when he made the submission and I paid accordingly. At that time, I noted the signatory and letter head of submission is not this Afizul, but a registered draughtsman (RD) by name of Haji Jamali. I got curious and asked Afizul on this issue. He said no problem, and I saw no reason to doubt him since the stage had now reached BD DBKL.
My problems then began. After submitting to BD DBKL, we did not get any update on the approval. No replies from this Afizul to my sms or phone calls. My wife called various DBKL departments and finally got to an officer in BD. This officer was kind and patient to inform my wife that his BD has sent out letter to Haji Jamali (the submitting RD) but this RD never replied. The officer said he was about to disapprove the plan, as the letter to the RD was lapsing in 2 days time. He told my wife only minor change (gutter) was required, and advised my wife to go to BD DBKL.
We called up the Afizul many times and finally he answered, and he went with my wife to BD to do the simple amendment- just 2 lines to indicate the gutter location. Thereafter, we could not contact this Afizul again though this BD officer already told him to submit the sanitary plan. Nevertheless, we later received the approval (on blue-coloured form) from BD to proceed with the renovation, but sanitary plan was still required, as advised by BD DBKL..
While the renovation was in progress, we managed to get this Jamali to come to OUG to see the renovation (he came twice). This RD did not event know the issues at hand – a really Ali-Baba business. He kept complaining ‘he makan tulang, while others makan daging’- I responded he already makan much more ‘daging’ by using his license to sign the plans prepared by other draughtsman for submission to DBKL, as the situation I am facing now.
Jamali and I had last discussion in June 2009 when he came in the rain on his big bike to my OUG house (at that time, renovation was 90% completion). I told him to provide quotation to complete the sanitary plan for submission to BD DBKL and later to complete the Form F (for CF). Subsequent after that meeting, I called this RD and sms him, but no replies. I sent an AR letter to him with ‘gentle tone’ to ask him for options (i) tell me how much his cost to do the works I asked him (provided we agreed on the cost); (ii) that if he does not want to continue to be the RD my works, then he issues a discharge letter. (DBKL has earlier advised me that such RD must issue discharge letter if the RD refuses to proceed with the work till CF after renovation, and by-laws requires me to engage a RD to do such works!). This Jamali RD acknowledged the AR letter, yet refused to answer w.r.t the options or to provide a discharge letter. Thereafter (n July), I wrote a letter to BD DBKL with a copy of my AR letter to Jamali RD. I asked BD DBKL to permit me to appoint new RD to complete the works i.e. prepare sanitary plan for submission to BDKL and later complete the for F to get the CF.
Since DBKL did not reply my letter, on 28/8/09, I went to DBKL BD to inquire further. Despite my appeal and their comprehension of my predicament, DBKL could not permit me to appoint a new RD. They proposed me to complain to PIAM or the Lembaga Arkitek with which Jamali RD is a member. However, I explained such professional bodies take time to deal with their members by which time the approval by BD BDKL would lapse and clock is ticking (the approval by BDKL is only for 12 months from March 2009). The officers in DBKL understand my situation, yet nothing can be done to help me.
Something is not right in the building by-laws to protect these so called ‘professionals’ and such loopholes are leaving me (house owner) in a quandary. The Ministry of Housing should take a look at these loopholes, but meanwhile I require urgent help.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?
below is the history on my present quandry
In July 2008, I went DBKL to seek advice on proper procedures/ type of renovations that can be accepted or approved for a double storey linked house in OUG. A Technical Assistant (TA) manning the counter at ground-floor DBKL recommended a few draughtsman whose name-cards he pulled out from the few name-card holders on his desk in front of me. Thinking such personnel would be credible in view of the recommendation, I contacted few of them and finally strike up an agreement on schedule of payment and phases of work (a mistake I made though to have the phase of works till approval by DBKL on the rebnovation, whereas it should be till release of the CF on the renovation completed; ; the draughtsman by name of Afizul did not advise on such incomplete works by him).
With all his particulars in my record, I paid deposit and this draughtsman quickly drew the renovation. After few amendments, Afizul submitted the plan to the Planning Department DBKL. He gave me the receipt by DBKL and I paid him accordingly. Soon, Planning Department gave the green light (on a Green-coloured form) to approve the renovation, subjected to further approval by Building Department (BD) DBKL. I missed reading one condition by Planning Department on submission of sanitary plan of the renovation to the BD DBKL.
Soon, this Afizul again submitted the required structural plan to BD DBKL and I was there with him when he made the submission and I paid accordingly. At that time, I noted the signatory and letter head of submission is not this Afizul, but a registered draughtsman (RD) by name of Haji Jamali. I got curious and asked Afizul on this issue. He said no problem, and I saw no reason to doubt him since the stage had now reached BD DBKL.
My problems then began. After submitting to BD DBKL, we did not get any update on the approval. No replies from this Afizul to my sms or phone calls. My wife called various DBKL departments and finally got to an officer in BD. This officer was kind and patient to inform my wife that his BD has sent out letter to Haji Jamali (the submitting RD) but this RD never replied. The officer said he was about to disapprove the plan, as the letter to the RD was lapsing in 2 days time. He told my wife only minor change (gutter) was required, and advised my wife to go to BD DBKL.
We called up the Afizul many times and finally he answered, and he went with my wife to BD to do the simple amendment- just 2 lines to indicate the gutter location. Thereafter, we could not contact this Afizul again though this BD officer already told him to submit the sanitary plan. Nevertheless, we later received the approval (on blue-coloured form) from BD to proceed with the renovation, but sanitary plan was still required, as advised by BD DBKL..
While the renovation was in progress, we managed to get this Jamali to come to OUG to see the renovation (he came twice). This RD did not event know the issues at hand – a really Ali-Baba business. He kept complaining ‘he makan tulang, while others makan daging’- I responded he already makan much more ‘daging’ by using his license to sign the plans prepared by other draughtsman for submission to DBKL, as the situation I am facing now.
Jamali and I had last discussion in June 2009 when he came in the rain on his big bike to my OUG house (at that time, renovation was 90% completion). I told him to provide quotation to complete the sanitary plan for submission to BD DBKL and later to complete the Form F (for CF). Subsequent after that meeting, I called this RD and sms him, but no replies. I sent an AR letter to him with ‘gentle tone’ to ask him for options (i) tell me how much his cost to do the works I asked him (provided we agreed on the cost); (ii) that if he does not want to continue to be the RD my works, then he issues a discharge letter. (DBKL has earlier advised me that such RD must issue discharge letter if the RD refuses to proceed with the work till CF after renovation, and by-laws requires me to engage a RD to do such works!). This Jamali RD acknowledged the AR letter, yet refused to answer w.r.t the options or to provide a discharge letter. Thereafter (n July), I wrote a letter to BD DBKL with a copy of my AR letter to Jamali RD. I asked BD DBKL to permit me to appoint new RD to complete the works i.e. prepare sanitary plan for submission to BDKL and later complete the for F to get the CF.
Since DBKL did not reply my letter, on 28/8/09, I went to DBKL BD to inquire further. Despite my appeal and their comprehension of my predicament, DBKL could not permit me to appoint a new RD. They proposed me to complain to PIAM or the Lembaga Arkitek with which Jamali RD is a member. However, I explained such professional bodies take time to deal with their members by which time the approval by BD BDKL would lapse and clock is ticking (the approval by BDKL is only for 12 months from March 2009). The officers in DBKL understand my situation, yet nothing can be done to help me.
Something is not right in the building by-laws to protect these so called ‘professionals’ and such loopholes are leaving me (house owner) in a quandary. The Ministry of Housing should take a look at these loopholes, but meanwhile I require urgent help.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?
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