That Little Spot In The Liver

It has been quite some time since Dr Whang last sent me for a scan of any sort. It was way back last year in April to be exact. Even the previous review/checkup in Dec was just a comprehensive blood test. And so, I was sent off for a liver ultrasound this time around.

Call me mad, but I kinda like going for scans. Blood tests can only tell so much. And after my near-death experience, I feel that sometimes blood tests are a little unreliable in a certain way. Scans are way much better. After all, it was only through a PET scan that it was discovered I was 2-6 months away from knocking on death's gate.

Back to the liver ultrasound. Having mixed feelings and emotions with the results actually, as a 0.6cm subcapsular cyst is found in the right lobe of the liver. The cyst jolted, shocked, shook and slapped me awake. Scared? Afraid? Maybe... I only have 1 liver. I decided to read up a little online to try to calm myself down a little or even try to sort my thoughts out a little. Although Dr Whang says it's not a big issue and will schedule a CT scan for me within the next 2-4 months as she wants to closely monitor this little spot, I'm reassuring myself that since I have no back aches, abdominal pains, jaundice, fevers, indigestion and/or vomiting, it is not a big issue.

A cyst may not be a big issue, but it can also be a big one. Ever since I'm declared NED and having a "spotless liver" all this while, I did not have any doubts about my own health. I felt that I'm ok. I started to indulge a little on my favourite comfort (read: junk) foods, such as instant noodles, luncheon meat, chips, etc...  So, to be on the safe side, I better keep my diet in check. Apparently, some articles are saying minimise dairy products, fatty foods, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, meats, refined carbs, and junk foods, while increasing intake of vegetables and fruits. 

I don't take alcohol and artifical sweeteners, so that's easy peasy for me. Cutting down on fatty foods, meats, refined carbs and junk food can be done too. But dairy products is something I cannot live without. I love my morning cup of coffee with milk. I love tea with milk. I love cheese, glorious CHEESE!!! Telling me to cut down ish can die canz?! Am arguing with myself why the heck do I have to minimise intake of diary products and am procrastinating to go find out or read up as to how diary products affect the liver. Wokay, whatever... Since I cannot do without that cup of coffee with milk in the morning when I'm working, I'm going to cut dairy products in the rest of my food intake.

Increasing intake of vegetables is pretty easy. Just eat salad, yong tau foo, or economical rice as there's a bigger portion and/or selection of vegetables. But increasing intake of fruits is an issue. I'm super picky about my fruits. I only eat logan, lychee, mango, watermelon, durian, jackfruit, honeydew, rock melon and grapes with skin off, and to pack them for lunch is a little troublesome. So, I'm actually having thoughts about just having fruits for dinner.

Shall be a good girl and await the next scan. Hopefully that little spot will clear up on it own...

Blowing Off Some Dust

It has been about 6 months since I've last blogged. Bet there are some cobwebs and dust collected all over this blog. Heh... At the same time, I'm in a bitching mode and need to let out some stuff...

Most of us receive emails from time to time, and some of us receive TONS of emails everyday. Yet, there are some people who don't know how to use email properly. Ok, maybe just one person in my life I've seen so far. I seriously think this person need to undergo an email etiquette course or something.

A collection of things done:
1) Sends emails about small little things which can be verbalized and without the need to leave an email trail.
Not everyone has the privilege to enjoy a huge mailbox the size of Gmail. Moreover, in my job scope, dealing with creatives/artwork day in and day out, I don't have space in my mailbox for your nonsense.

2) Sends "informative" emails which are just junk.

3) Forwards emails for the sake of disseminating information or "heads up", but nothing is confirmed/planned/concrete yet.
One should know when information should be disseminated instead of just blindly forwarding the emails resulting in information coming in in drips-and-draps. If it's something that needs to be actioned on in a later stage, appreciate your 4-5 "heads up-ing" emails, but please summarise at some point of time. Not everyone has the time and energy to go through 4-5 emails to piece things together. If it's just purely FYI, with no action necessary, only disseminate the information at the end when it is firm.
Just like the contestants in Survivor, most of them would say, having information, any kind of information is crucial to the advancement in the game. To them, information is king. Having or knowing information is cool, is great. But know when to share and how to share. Some can be verbalised first without clogging up mailboxes.

4) Sends emails about urgent matters that need to be actioned on almost immediately without tagging it as "high importance", nor even following up with a call.
I don't stare at my screen the whole blardi day waiting for you to email me.

5) Forwards emails blindly requesting for things to be done without finding out any information about it, nor even following up with a call.
The request is sent to you. If you think that you have to delegate or forward the request to the correct person to follow up, it doesn't hurt to pick up the phone to call the person whom you have delegated or forwarded the request to get his/her attention on it. If you have no information, tell that person that you have no information whatsoever and get him/her to clarify it directly with the requester.

6) On top of the points above, more than half of the time, emails that are sent/originated from this person are without a subject title.
 I'm busy, I've other more important mails to read and action on. I do not even wish to spend an extra minute filtering the mails you sent out.

7) And on top of the points above, sends/forwards at least 3-5 such emails in a week.
The email system is in place for one to use, not abuse. Go back to those days where such a communication tool doesn't exist. Do you kill trees and use up reams of paper via faxes? Ah, probably now I know why you keep complaining that your mailbox is full...

On a happier, less bitchy note, Happy National Day!

3 Months Into The New Chapter Of My Life

Opened a new chapter of my life since end-Oct last year with a change of job. A very familiar job scope but in a totally different industry.

Although I have to handle a higher number of projects/jobs/campaigns at any one time, I don't feel very overloaded/ overwhelmed, nor do I often have the need to find a bulldozer to dig me out from being buried under tons of work. Probably it is because I have an in-house creative team and a creative agency to help in the actual artwork creation and design, so I do not have to spend time in front of the Adobe softwares. And/or probably I have the help from a media agency who pretty much handles everything. All these help I get makes everything more efficient in a way.

However, just like in any bed of roses, there are thorns. Thus as rosy as it sounds, there are hiccups which makes things not so smooth, and I still have to OT sometimes. But I ain't complaining. I kinda enjoy the little breaks and breathers throughout the day, using them to do some housekeeping, think about the tasks at hand and their next steps, empty my bladder, etc...

One of the best perks I get in this job is being near to where SUPER YUMMILICIOUS Fung Wong Confectionery Egg Tarts is located!!! In my very honest opinion, these egg tarts are the best in Singapore at the moment, and I have not tried any other egg tarts that taste better. The crust is so light and fluffy, and the custard just simply melts in my mouth! Just for comparison's sake, Tong Heng used to be my favourite, but no longer now. But if you do know any good egg tarts around, do let me know. I'm willing to take a taste test to find out. :)