Vietnam Trip

I am back at work today! I'm thrilled that I'm getting better. When I went into my workspace this morning  to grab a few things, First - I tried to remember what I was doing. That's what it has been!! A week of discoveries….first – my Vietnam trip photos.

My Vietnam trip was easy and free holiday! The people and culture of Vietnam have certainly made an impact on me. So much to tell all of my adventures while in Vietnam, and so much that I'm sure I have yet to realize and recall in last 3 weeks  and not immersed in the fascinating Vietnamese culture.

First was the motorcycles!!!!! There were motorcycles everywhere. Seriously, it’s impossible to cross the road because of the motorcycles! Our young tour guide said if you don’t have motorcycle in Vietnam, you cant find a girlfriend. 

We  visited to Cu Chi Tunnels! Before entering the tunnels we watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. It’s was an unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war time. There were also a numerous 500 pound bombs craters made by the bombers. At Chu Chi tunnels they even have a shooting range where you can shoot  M16, M60 or AK47 & etc. I bought  5 bullets to shoot the M-16s, First time in my life for shooting. After the small shooting we then return back to hotel. We took a quick shower and headed to the Ben Thanh market! The Ben Thanh markets  (shoppers paradise).  It is  located within walking distance from our hotel in district one.

Visited to Mekong Delta next day - which is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. There are lots of islands and towns around the Delta and we visited many of them and travelling around them by boats!  Passing by local villages we can see their peaceful daily life. Then we got on a small rowing boat (a sampan) to explore the narrow water ways around the island. We went to another island , where we were shown how they make coconut candy, rice noodle, visited a bee farm, sip special tea with honey,  enjoy tropical fruit and  watched a Vietnamese traditional music! Then had lunch and some of our tour members went on a bike ride to explore the island and local village. But we just sat relax and enjoyed the local Vietnam coffee in the restaurant. In the 3rd day  we went to Cai Rang floating market . See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Walk around a village, visit a rice mill. Have lunch at a local restaurant on the way back to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

We only had I day trip in  Mekong Delta - it was a great escape from bustling Saigon and a chance to see how Vietnamese people live and make a living.

These are Delicious!!!!  Hot Nuang (BBQ Eggs)

Boiled duck eggs!  One of  Vietnamese Ah Pek  spoke very well mandarin to me, he put the eggs on our table while we were taking dinner,  he recommended me to eat the boiled duck egg.  I jumped up from the chair when I was told that  the duck eggs have been incubated  for fifteenth days,  they believe it’s good for health. So cruel!!! 

Hair shampoo in small pack still can get in Vietnam city.

Painting Shop

Petrol station on Mekong River

Motorcycles!!!  I watched how the traffic police man control the traffic! I began to salute him!!

Post Office

Tourist Shopping - Ben Thanh Market

Row row.... row your boats (sampan)

Life on Mekong River!

Boiling water at roadside stall

Business Mekong Delta in the morning!

so desperate to earn a living

Coffin carried by boat

Visit Bee Farm

Chu Chi Tunnels - There were also a numerous 500 pound bombs craters made by the bombers.

Chu Chi Tunnels

beloved family buried beside the house

Busy Transportation on the river

I'm Recovery....

I have done my Laparoscopic surgery on last Tuesday. Although I was scared at first but I am happy after the monster tumors out of my body. I will not to suffer anymore in future (for heavy bleeding ). I am also thankful no abdominal incision (the abdominal incision, one in the base of the belly button and 2 smaller incisions near the hip bones) needs to be made.  My  surgery was an 'outpatient' and I was discharged by late afternoon.

I have peed blood, fever on 2^nd day,  think that carbon dioxide gas from surgery made me feel like dying - the pain was in my neck and shoulders. And now,  I felt fine not really pain, but  soreness when I tried to bend over, reach for something or sleep on my side. I was told not to drive, lift anything heavy, no heavy housework because there is still healing to be done internally. And the hardest part is  I was told no dancing for at least a month :(.

I am going to see my doctor again on Monday, before I drive back to Alor Setar. I hope I can drive as long as I’m hyper aware of my energy level and don’t overwork myself.

No complaints from me. I am resting  for a while longer, and will be back to dancing and building back some of my strength and energy once I’m healthy again.

My Health Problem...

Hohoho...came back from holiday but really no time to post! I have very important thing to do with my health -  my appointment with the doctor. Hey, I am feeling it's like  a full-time job keeping track of doctor appointments, filling prescriptions, and learning about and managing symptoms and treatments. As I have my routine on weekends with all the dance activities I do, it's easy to forget I should to stay healthy.  Most of the time I keep postponed my appointment with the doctor.  I have to admit also, I hate seeing a  doctor, I hate waiting for few more hours, just to see a doctor.  Other than my regular health screen and pap smear, I would rather not to see a doctor.

My next appointment,  I would need to go to the hospital again. So far,   I thought I was in good health, maybe not perfect, but good. My only complaints were bad cramps and pain and irregular periods. Every month I needed to take few  days off work simply to curl up in a corner and wait for the pains to subside. That being said, after having terrible  pain in the area of my ovary, an ultrasound found that I have "something" growing on my ovary. A repeat ultrasound showed that it is growing. I was giving the choice to leave it and "watch it" or have it removed. I feel this has consumed my life and want nothing more than to have this monster out of my body.  As I know the longer it stays, the harder it seems to get rid of it.  

I am going back to my doctor on tomorrow,  so wish me luck and I’ll be in touch to let you all know how it goes. Bye for now.