6 months 21 days….

6 months 21 days….

That’s what has passed in 2025. Every year seems to be moving faster than the year before. This year is no different.

So, what has happened in the past 6 months 21 days? Besides having/hosting family friends from Australia from January – February, the major highlight in the past 6 months was my mum.

As I stated in my last entry at the beginning of year, mum was supposed to go for thyroid surgery in March. She was admitted on a Sunday and was prepped for surgery the next day; only for the surgery to be cancelled at the last minute. Mum had fasted from 2am, changed into the operating gown and was even hooked up to an IV line. She was supposed to be the second person to be operated on that Monday, but the first surgery had some complications and ran over time. By the time it was over, it was too late to do my mum’s surgery.

Emotions were all over the place. The worry, the fear, the anxiety, the patience, the annoyance. I can’t imagine what my mum felt but I was emotionally drained. From the time mum was admitted, there were rounds of doctors who for pre-op assessments; and because it was always a different doctor, we had to constantly repeat her medical history. Caretaker fatigue is real, even if I only experienced it for two days in March. Mum was finally discharged with no new date given for her cancelled surgery.

The next two weeks which ran into April was a flurry of calling the hospital, personally looking for the doctors etc just to get a new surgery date. Thankfully, my  who works part time at the hospital managed to track the doctor and get him to set a date. The new surgery date was set for June, which meant another long wait. Mum was not happy especially since there was a wedding we had to attend; and she thought she would have a brand-new look by then, but alas….

April was my 3-year ROM anniversary and I got my second tattoo! May saw one of my cousins tying the knot.

As the days passed in April then May, we reached June, my birthday month. This year, it was a low-key affair compared to last year where there was a surprise party and getaway.

The end of my birthday week saw my mum getting admitted for the second time this year. All the past emotions resurfaced, but there was a tinge of worry that what happened in March would happen again. That, coupled with all the what-ifs….it was a difficult time.

Nevertheless, God heard and answered our prayers! Mum was the first to go into surgery that day; and after 5 hours of worrying, praying, pleading with God…..mum’s surgery was over! She made it! My sister and I did not move from where we sat; and the anaesthesist who saw us sitting outside the operating theatre the whole 5 hours, took pity on us and relieved us off our worries.  The relief and happiness to hear that mum was ok and awake, her heart was stable (as that was a concern for the docs) and that she was doing well….it was an amazing feeling.

Uncle Stephen and Aunty Lita were in Penang for a school reunion during that time; and they were kind enough to be with us while mum was in surgery. They waited till we got the good news; then we sent them back to the hotel.

4 days after surgery and mum was discharged, with a load of medication. Mum stayed with me for a few days, then returned home where I think she recovered faster, being in her own home and all. Vay and I went up the hilltop temple to give our thanks to God, and it was one of the hardest journeys up the hill. But, we would do it again without a doubt!

It’s now past mid-July. We’ve been to a few follow-ups and there are more in the coming months. But, we’re thankful. Mum is recovering well. She no longer has to wear turtleneck tops to hide her big neck; she looks slimmer…she’s doing well. There is of course the adapting to having to now take medication 4 times a day, but I think it is worth it.

Till my next update…..