International SOS Clinic Mongolia

It has been a rough 3 days & 2 nights.

On Tuesday, the boys did not get better, in fact, they got worse as the day progressed. I continued to give them their medicines. Cameron, for his fever, and Cayden for his fever & cough.

On Wednesday, the boys were really sick. I made an appointment at the International SOS clinic for Thursday, as the pediatrician was only on duty on Thursday afteroon. Cayden was lethergic, still had fever, had no appeitite and was coughing. He took a long nap in the afternoon. Cameron started to have runny nose and he was so grumpy. His fever also spiked up to 39.4 degrees c at about 3pm in the afternoon. I decided not to wait and went to the clinic to see the GP. Afterall, Cameron needed some medicine for his nose and cough, so that he can sleep better at night.

Who knows, this was a bad decision. After we reached the clinic, the nurse stopped us at the entrance and took our temperature. Because the boys had high temperature of about 39 degrees, they stopped us from entering the clinic. We had to wait outside (in the cold!) and put masks on us. Then they instructed us to drive our car to the back of the clinic and enter a room. We had to have nose swabs taken to be tested for H1N1. This really scared Cayden and he was really clingy to me. I was feeling confident that they would not be tested positive for H1N1, as we had not been out of the house at all, since Cayden sprained his foot.

During the wait, the nurse came in with Neurofen. She wanted to give them both. I was comfortable with them giving Cayden coz he had it before. But for Cameron, I was more apprehensive. I wanted to be sure that the dosage was correct. She wanted to give him 2.5ml (according to the dosage on the box) but I refused! It stated 2.5ml for babies 6months to 12 months. But Cameron is only 7 months. Also, don't they have to check the weight of the baby and determine the dosage??? She consulted the doc again said it was ok. I had no choice. (For the records, I checked with my PD. The 2.5ml dosage is too high for Cameron. He should only be taking 1.5ml at most. And also she told me to avoid Neurofen if possible coz its too strong for him).

After 30 min of waiting,  they told us that they boys tested positive for H1N1 so they have to send us to the Centre of Infectious Diseases to do more testing. (as International SOS clinic do not treat infectious diseases). The test the clinic did is only 75% accurate. I was livid! It seemed like we had no choice and had to go. So off we went to the centre in an ambulance. I called Lester and updated him, so he also made his way down to the centre from his office. We discussed that if it was confirmed, we do not want the kids to be treated in Mongolia. We will air-evac the kids out to Korea or Singapore.

When we reached the centre of Infectious Diseases, we had to wait for a long time inside the ambulance. After that we were ushered into a small room, with 3 doctors and maybe 8 patients. The doc who checked Cameron and Cayden checked their lungs and said their lungs are clear. Their condition is not serious and they can be treated at home. They cannot confirm for sure, if they do have H1N1. I wanted the doc to check their ears & throat to see if it was infected. Something must be causing their fever! But the doc said they dont do that. She only prescribed some medicine.

When we returned to the SOS clinic, I thought the doc there would check them, but who knows, they did not even allow us to enter the clinic! We had to wait in the car and the doc will come out with the prescribed medicine. They only prescribed Cayden an antibiotic and Cameron a high fever supportsitory and for both of them Vitamin C. USELESS BUNCH OF DOCTORS! I wanted the doc to give me some medicine for Cameron's cough. He gave me Robutassim and but told me its not recommended for kids under 2. If I wanted to give, I can do so in a lower dosage. Its my choice. What kind of doc is that????? I rejected and told him I preferred to consult my own PD in Singapore.

So in the end, it was a futile visit. All for nothing. Boys did not get more medicine to get better. We were only hassled more.

I have to say it again. The International SOS clinic in Mongolia is completely, utterly useless. I will definitely NOT sign up for membership again.

2 Sick Babies

Its the time of the year again. Weather is colder, air is smokier, and kids fall sick.  Damn polluted air.

I have 2 sick babies at home. It started with Cayden waking up yesterday with his double eyelid on his left eye. I saw it and went "Oh, oh". Yes, that double eyelid always appear when he is either VERY tired or about to fall sick. True to form, he started coughing during breakfast and his fever started at 10am and he was really grumpy. To make matters worse,  I had invited some friends over for lunch, so I was really busy with the lunch preparations. Anyway, we managed through yesterday without much drama.

Today, the little fella still had a fever and his cough had developed into a phelmy one. He refused to eat and complained of being in pain when swallowing. So I became Dr Yeo. Out came Neurofen (for his sprained foot and fever), Prospan (for cough), Mucosolvan (for phelgm), and Leftose syrup (for inflammation - sore throat).

As for Cameron, he started coughing last night. Heard him through the baby monitor. I was in denial. I told myself that its just a one-off cough. Then this morning, his cough was more apparent, more often. Then he had a fever. Not a high one. A low grade one of 37.4 degrees c. So I gave him infant panadol and pasted a Kool Fever patch on him. With an infant like Cameron, I don't dare to be Dr Yeo, so I will monitor him and see how it goes. Hopefully they will be well soon.

First Sprain

Cayden sprained his foot for the first time in his life last night. I was putting Cameron to sleep and I heard Cayden wailing away. I thought it was a short cry and it lasted for quite a while. I quickly went out and saw Cayden in the arms of Dada, tearing streaming down his cheeks. He was crying quite hard. I asked what happened and Dada told me that he was demonstrating a jump from the bed and landed on his foot, awkwardly.

He was still crying very hard 10 min later, and I knew it must hurt real bad. We managed to calm him down and but he said he couldn't walk. We had to carry him downstairs to drink his milk, to pee pee and everything. In the night, he couldn't sleep well. I think its due to the pain. We fed him some panadol for pain relief.

In the morning, he still complained of being in pain. Thats when we decided to bring him to see the doc. At International SOS clinic, the doc took a look at his foot and sent him for an Xray. Everything is ok. No broken bones. Just a sprain. The doc mentioned that if he is still in pain 2 weeks later, then he has to be brought back for another Xray. It could be a hairline crack.

Oh well, broken bones and twisted ankles and sprained foot incidents are starting to happen now. Cayden is not a toddler anymore. He is a boy.

Smoky

Picture taken at 9am in the morning. Check out the smoke...

International Week

This week is International Week at ISU. All students are required to turn up in Mongolian costume today. Thank goodness we have one. I bought  Cayden a deel over a year ago, as he had to wear it to perform at the year end consert his previous Mongolian kindergarten. But the government ordered all schools to close early due to the outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease in Mongolia. So the deel was kept in cold storage.

Today, we have a chance to use it! Yea! The boots were too small, but he still fits in the deel.

Pictures below:

It was freezing outside, but I still made Cayden stand outside to take a picture coz the lighting was better.

 

A brotherly moment. Cameron looked kinda stunned.

Gloomy Sunday

We woke up to a backyard flickered with snow. Its must have snowed lightly last night.

The whole Sunday was cold, wet, gloomy.

Took a picture when the boys and I waited for Lester to buy our weekly groceries at Mercury Market.

Busy Friday

I had a busy day. 

I had invited some friends over for morning coffee. It was good to have friends over and chat. Some adult conversation is needed but I have an overdose of baby talk for the last 2 months. We talked about everything. Our grievances with the country, the lack of hot water / heat, the school, losing weight etc... 

Morning coffee was followed by lunch. Aivee went to school to collect both Lucas and Cayden. Lunch was Tau Yew Bak (but instead of pork, I used chicken). Lucas ate fast, but Cayden was slow & distracted as usual. I told Aivee that we should swop kids during lunch, since Cayden generally eats fast and eats everything at her place. 

After lunch, Cameron woke up from his nap and we proceeded to Aivee's place for a while. The boys had FUN, playing everythig from trains to ball pools to play acting pirates. While watching them play, it dawned on me that my first born is no longer a toddler. He is now a BOY. Playing big boy games. 

 

Since Lester wasn't coming home for dinner, once Cameron fell asleep, I agreed to let Cayden watch "The Little Mermaid" in my room. I allow him to do that once in a while, during weekends. He was so happy and told me "Mama! I am so excited to watch Little Mermaid!" 

He really tried to finish watching the movie, but he didn't. Since he did not have a afternoon nap earlier, and he had such a full day playing, he finally caved in at 8pm. He told me "Mama, my eyes cannot open so well..." haha. I tucked him into bed and started my own reading. Peace & quiet.


 

It still continues

Well, Cameron's drinking volume has somewhat increased yesterday. In total he drank 800ml, which was a relief.

I brought him to see the pediatrician at International SOS clinic yesterday. We weighed Cameron. His stats:

Weight: 8kg
Height: 63cm (when I measured at home, he was 65cm!)
Head circumference: 44cm.

He is of healthy weight, but he is short (Alarm bells! Is he short and fat?)

It seems that the pediatrician is not alarmed that Cameron's drinking volume has halved over the last 5 days. She said that Cameron's drinking volume is too high. At his age, he should only be drinking 600ml. But she is not accounting the fact that Cameron is on NO solids! For babies 6 months and above are usually established on 3 solid meals already, but Cameron is not!

Anyway in conclusion, she declared Cameron healthy. If he continues this strike for another week, go back to see her. Meanwhile she would like me to start him on solids. I have to try to find his accepted food, and his accepted way of eating. It sounds rather ridiculous to me...

Today, he has taken the usual 7oz at the morning feed, but took only 4oz at the 11am feed. Shall see how much he takes at the 3pm feed.

Lazy Saturday

We did nothing much. I am reluctant to leave the house for lunch, as I do not want to disrupt Cameron's lunchtime nap. Fingers crossed, this whole week he has slept for at least 1hr45min to 2hrs during lunchtime. I want to keep it this way.

We introduced apples to Cameron today, after a full week of eating rice cereal. He hates it. Really really hates it. Before I know it, this little fella just pursed his lips tight and refused to let the spoon in! I mixed it with milk and rice cereal a while later, but he still refused it.



After this disaster meal, he refused his milk. Not only for this feed, but for the next feed too! Instead of his full 6 or 7oz, he takes only 4oz.

I have to say, besides looks, Cameron resembles NOTHING like Cayden.

Cayden had his haircut today. Ironically, he had his haircut the day AFTER the school took official pictures for yearbook. Oh well...





Lastly, a cute pic of Cameron all bundled up before taking his walk.

First snowfall of the year

19 Sept 2009





It got heavier the next day...

Struggle

Here I am, close to 2 weeks after returning to Mongolia, I am still struggling with 2 kids. I have no idea how the other mothers can do it and still keep their sanity. The craziest hours for me is 1pm and 5.30pm. That's when I am trying to feed Cayden his lunch / dinner, while trying to carrying Cameron (coz he is whining) or keep Cameron asleep for his nap. Its been such a trying time. Not the best time of my life.

If only, if only I can find more help. If only I can find a reliable helper to help with the cleaning and handling of 1 kid while I handle the other.

Or maybe, if only Cameron follows his routine faithfully, then maybe I can make this work.

This time around, with Cameron, I have to admit that I have not been very consistent, which is not the best thing to do when I want to fix Cameron on a routine. I have to "make-do" coz now I have another child to take care of and to think of. My temper is also very short. I get frustrated easier and by smaller things.

I really want to do better. I really want to handle things better. But so far, I can't.

I am really hoping things for change for the better real soon.

Back In Mongolia

We are now officially back in Mongolia. Have been back since 16 August 2009. It has been tough since we have been back. NO HOT WATER TIL 26 AUGUST! So I have been boiling pots and pots of water since we are back. Have not had a proper hot shower for a week now. Crap.

I have not found a full time babysitter to help me. So far, I have found a babysitter to help me from 9am to 1pm every weekday. She helps me with Cameron, so that I can start preparations for Cayden's lunch and our dinner.

My schedule goes like this:

6+am - Cayden and Cameron wakes up. Lester gives Cayden breakfast & Cameron his milk.
7.40am - I wake up and prepare for Cameron's bath
8am - Bath Cameron and feed Cameron remainder of milk
9am - Put Cameron down for morning nap.
9am to 10am - I take my coffee and do laundry, light housework.
10am - Cameron wakes up. Babysitter takes over.
10am to 11am - Prepare food
11am - Give Cameron his milk
11.30am - Start to cook lunch
12pm - Put Cameron down for afternoon nap
12.30pm - Give Cayden lunch.
1.30pm - Cayden takes his nap.
2pm - Cameron wakes up (on a good day)
2 to 2.30pm - Playtime with Cameron
2.30pm - Feed Cameron
3.30pm - Cayden wakes up. Give him a snack or hot drink
4pm - Put Cameron down for short nap
4pm - Cook dinner.
4.30pm - Cameron wakes up.
5pm - Give Cayden his dinner.
6pm - Bathe Cameron and put him to sleep while Cayden watches TV
7pm - Bathe Cayden
7.30pm - Dinner & give Cayden his bedtime milk.
8.30pm - Put Cayden to sleep
9pm - Bath
11pm - Night feed for Cameron
3/4am - Night feed for Cameron

This is absolutely exhausting. Not the best time of my life now.

Fingers crossed that I can find a good full time help to help with housework AND kids.

Class Photo

Cayden has been attending ISU for 3 months now. 2 weeks ago, they took a class photo and an individual photo for the year book. We were there when they were taking the photos and Cayden looked really scared. Lester and I were just laughing at the side. Evil parents.


This is the photo that they will use for the yearbook.




Pre-school 1 class. The class is not complete as 3 of them were absent.

What to do?

I have been very anxious about Cayden's place in ISU. I was worried if he would be able to get into the Pre-school 1 class. So on Monday, when I received a call to go to school with Cayden for an interview, I was elated! 

So we went and saw the Head of Primary. I received a terrible news. The pre-school 1 class has been re-scheduled from the original timings of 8.15am - 12.15pm, to 1.15pm to 3.15pm! How stupid is that? 

First of all, the class time falls right during his nap time! Correct me if I am wrong, but don't MOST 3-year olds take afternoon naps???? 

Second of all, what can we expect them to teach the kids in 2 hours? 

Lastly, they tell parents 1 week before school starts? How on earth are we going to reschedule his nap time within a week? 

The reason given to me, was that Pre-school class (both 1&2) are overcrowded. In total, they have 36 students with 1 foreign teacher and 2 assistant teachers. So they decided to split the class. Pre-school 2 class is from 8.15am to 12.15pm. Pre-school 1 class is from 1.15pm to 3.15pm. Priority is given to 4 year olds, as they think its more important for them to learn. 

They can't split the class into 3 hour blocks, because the teachers then won't have time to eat. They need to eat with the rest of the teachers during lunch time or it won't be fair to them. 

They won't employ another foreigner pre school teacher so that both classes can run at the same time because then the teachers won't have anything to do in the afternoon. Its a waste. 

All in all, I feel that the school has then made the 3 year old class as a sacrifice. 

Who cares if they will all be sleepy, and will be in the least attentive mode when class is on?

Who cares if they learn anything or not? 

Who cares if 2 hours is not enough. 

As long as the rest of the school is treated well. We must be fair to the teachers. We must be fair to the 4 year olds. 

I have a good mind of NOT enrolling Cayden in this school, but I have no choice. There isn't any other International school around. The American school takes students from 5 years old onwards. I have to enrol Cayden this year, or I risk him not bring able to get in for Pre-school 2 class next year. Priority is given to returning students and not new students. 

What am I doing here in Mongolia? Why am I here? Cayden has no school to go to! 

LL. Bo bian. But I am still pissed. 

ISU

I am getting a little anxious now. I still have not heard from the International School about Cayden's acceptance into ISU (International School of Ulaanbaatar). 

I sent in the application months ago, sometime in Apr/May. But I was told that the school is undergoing some administration change (i.e. change of direction and some teachers) so admission decisions are put on hold. Rumors are that there are more applicants than spaces, as the American school has closed their pre-school class. So everyone is flocking to ISU. There aren't any other options.

School starts on 13 August, and today is 1 August. Still no news. I called the school earlier and they told me we will find out next week. Fingers crossed that Cayden will be able to get in. If not, I have no idea we are going to do?

Mongolian skies

Pictures I took this morning on our backyard. Not a cloud in the sky... 

Riding Pinto

Cayden is going through the "pinto" stage. All horses are "Pintos" We had some our overseas guests from Singapore over the weekend, we brought them to Terelj, the tourist friendly countryside, so that they can get a glimpse of the vast grassland and typical Mongolian countryside. 

We went to see the Turtle Rock (a rock formation that looks like a big turtle) and there were some horse

s there. Tourists can ride the horses there for a fee. Lester just plonked Cayden on a horse and asked the boy rider to bring Cayden for a ride... Surprisingly Cayden was not scared. He just rode the horse calmly, without saying anything. 

Unexpected snow

This was what greeted me when I opened the curtains of our bedroom this morning... snow... in spring! 

One of my friends told me that her son was so disappointed when he saw the snow this morning... he lamented "Oh no... you mean summer is not coming?" 

Back in Mongolia

Actually, we have been back in Mongolia for 1 month already. Time flies... It was freezing cold (minus 30 degrees Celsius) when we arrived in Mongolia, but luckily, our driver was already waiting for us at the airport. :) 

Cayden went back to school the very next day, but I was afraid that he will cry, as he had not been attending that school for 4 & half months. I accompanied him to school. Thankfully he was ok. No fuss, no tantrums. He seemed to remember the school. 

When we returned, we hear that more families will be moving away from Mongolia.  So far, 4 families. Brisbane, Sydney, India, Indonesia. *envy* When will be our turn? Seems like we will be here for quite a while. Maybe another year? 

Cayden fell sick once we returned to Mongolia. He developed blocked nose the very day he attended school. Slowly it manifested into a flu blown cold, with cough, phlegm and runny nose within a week. The full works. Then he passed the germs to me! I was sick too. Took us 1 week to recover. I think its the polluted, toxic air in UB. 

Welcome back to the cold! 

Beijing and Singapore, here we come!

29 Jun 2007


We finally got our flights sorted out. We will leave home tomorrow morning at 4am (horrors!!!) to catch a 6am flight to Beijing, stay over for a day and night, and depart Beijing for Singapore on Sunday 4pm.
It is a safer alternative, instead of leaving Mongolia on Sunday morning and connecting to the same 4pm flight in Beijing. The flights flying out of Mongolia is often delayed. The reason is unknown. The representatives of the airline often blame the strong winds and bad weather, but it was too often to be true. And usually it was the Sunday flights which are delayed. Strange, huh? We only have a short 2 hour transit in between and I don't want to take the risk of missing our Beijing/Singapore flight. If we do miss the flight, we lose another precious day in Singapore! I would rather leave early and spend the day in leisure in Beijing. I think Cayden will have fun too since he hasn't been there. Must take a photo of him in Tiananmen Square. Such a touristy thing to do!!! haha.