Monday, December 19, 2011

My Son

My son baby Z was born on the 9th of Dec 2011 
2.1kg that's me at 37 weeks an hour before my planned cesarean Because my blood pressure was high at 37 weeks I had to deliver via- c-section. the worst part of the c-section was getting curled up when i was given my epidural, which resulted in me feeling that my legs are not straight through out the operation... urghhh that got me really stressed. About half an hour after, my baby boy came out crying straight away.... Alhamdulillah he was perfect in every way!!! everything I asked for. The doctor did a thorough check on him and found out that he had a metabolic disorder (High acidity in his blood) which is a very rare condition. My boy on the first day, He had Pneumonia which was common for a baby his size. My boy on his second day, he was progressing well! My son on his third day, His acidity was still high, but the doctor could not diagnose his condition yet thus he was allowed to be breastfed. He was transferred to HKL on the fourth day since all the metabolic experts are all in HKL. when he arrived he was very weak, the doctors tried to correct the acidity in his blood and decided that a Parethonial Dialysis might help. Even after the Dialysis his condition didn't look too promising, and the doctors decided to have a long line inserted directly to his heart for him to get all the necessary nutrition. It is sad for me to see all this being done to him but in my heart, i shouldn't loose hope. He is fighting and i should give him every possible chance that he has to live. Up to this point all his major organs are failing... His heart, lungs , liver, kidney... even his brain has bleeding....... My boy fighting for his life.... It was very difficult to see him at that stage every time i visit him... i pray that he doesn't feel the pain... i told him if he cant stand it, just let go and that im ready to accept what ever that is going to happen to him. On the 8th day, the doctor said his overall performance is deteriorating, he is very bloated at this point of time because the Dialysis wasn't working well. due to his blood clogging. My husband and I cant stand this any longer, we prayed istikharah (asking Allah to guide us to make the right decision) either to switch the machine off or to keep on trying. On the 9th day, Allah answered our prayer and made it easy for us to decide. He was very weak, and we decided to turn the switch off because as parents we have done our best, as doctors they have tried their best and we have never look back and regret. I requested that he should be sedated so he will slowly go without feeling any pain. I hold him in my arms till his heart stops beating. I love my son dearly and i thank Allah that he gave me a chance to be a mother, to hold him close to me, to hear him cry when he was still strong.... to have him grip my fingers when i was nursing him. to have him in me for 37weeks..... There is so much to be thankful for. I believe Allah has his reasons for this to happen and i accept it wholeheartedly. I admire the support my family and my husband's family has given to both of us through this hardship. They were there from the beginning till the very end I know he is waiting for his parents... he is my inspiration to be a better muslim so I will get to meet him there.  Cause of death: Congenital Lactate acidosis To Rule Out Mitochondrial disorder pyrovate Carboxylase. 

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Something to share

Found this on a blog called lessonsoftheday.com, and I found it as a reminder for me

5 Wisdoms

1.
If you are right, then there is no need to get angry.
And if you are wrong then you don't have any right to get angry.

2.
Patience with family is love
Patience with others is respect.
Patience with self is confidence.

3.
Never think hard about past, It brings tears.
Don't think more about future, It brings fears.
Live this moment with a smile, It brings cheers...

4.
Every test in our life makes us bitter or better.
Every problem comes to make us or break us.
Choice is ours, whether we become victim or victorious.

5.
Search a beautiful heart, not a beautiful face.
Beautiful things are not always good, but good things are always beautiful.
Posted by Mrs. Iffath Hasan at 11:10 AM 3 comments

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Istanbul DEC 2010



Istanbul is another great city to visit and I had the chance to be there for 3 days and 2 nights. Although time was limited i was very satisfied and I might consider a second trip because there is just so much to see and do here : ).

At the time of my visit, the weather was 6 degrees in the afternoon I didn’t bother to know how many degrees it was at night. Winter limits my movement so I think I need a thicker winter jacket next time.

Arrived around 7 on Monday morning and started the day by touring Topkapi Palace since it closes on Tuesday. Took the hotel shuttle bus around 15 minutes to reach sultanahmat area (that’s where all the tourist sights are) .



Paid about TL20 to enter Topkapi and an extra 15TL to enter the Harem and spent roughly 3 hours touring Topkapi and the harem. I would recommend paying the extra money to enter as you get to see the wonderful insights into the lives of those who lived in the Harem. You can also get to see the Sultan and the princess room and the bathroom.

Topkapi used to be official and primary residence of Sultans from 1465 to 1856 during Ottoman Empire Era. Inside Topkapi you will get the chance to see holy relics of the Muslim world such as the prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword, clothes, gifts from neighbouring countries.

Before entering Topkapi Palace youwill find a souvenir shop on your right selling the a guide book for 5 TL, I would suggest to purchase that so you wont miss any important places in the compound.

Opening hours:- open daily between 09:00 – 17:00 except on Tuesdays
Price:- 20 TL for adults and another 15 TL to the Harem.

INFORMATION CENTRE

Around sultanahmet area there is an information centre which I discovered on my second day thus I managed to get myself a map to use for my second visit (I hope) It’s just across the railway tracks opposite the shops.

Since we had time after touring Topkapi Palace we decided to visit the Basilica cistern which was a walking distance. A visit can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your interest. Could be boring to most but if you appreciate history this place would be worth a visit. A pamphlet explaining the history is free and you can get it on your way out.



The cistern was built in the 6th century under the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, to provide water for the city but after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, it was covered over and forgotten. In 1545, the Turks rediscovered it, and used it to provide water for Topkapi Palace and nearby buildings. There is a small café located before you exit the cistern.


MEDUSA'A Head!!! : )

Opening hours: every day from 09:00 am to 17:30
Price:- TL10 (TL3 for Turkish citizens)

Second day was to visit Ayasofya, blue mosque and the bazaars.

Ayasofya

Ayasofya was initially a church and after the conquest of the city in 1453, Mehmet the conquerer made it into a mosque. It served as a mosque until 1935 when kemal atartuk (turkey’s 1st president) saw it as a historical place and proclaimed it as a museum till today.



Don’t miss the upper gallery which houses beautiful pictures of the museum taken by a professional. Upper gallery closes an hour before the museum.

Opening hours:- Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Pice:-



Blue Mosque

It is named as such because of the interior which is so beautifully blue. Blue mosque is still used as a mosque so its closed to visitors for a bout 30 minutes during the five daily prayers and maybe closed for a longer time on Fridays for Friday prayers.
Bosphorus Cruise

I planned on taking this cruise but because it is winter I can’t afford going on a cruise and the wind blowing directly so i had to say no to this.

ACCOMODATION

I stayed at Novotel hotel which is not very far to the city. From the hotel to sultanahmet we took the hotel shuttle which took us about 15 minutes tops.



Important: if you are using the shuttle please reserved your seats the day before and reserve your return seats as well so you won’t get stranded : )

SHOPPING


I went to spice bazaar and Grand bazaar. Because of my time constrain I visited both bazaar in one day thus I didn’t get the chance to tour the whole bazaar. I bought t-shirts and the ceramics as souvenirs.



I made a mistake of not listing how many souvenirs I wanted to buy thus ended up buying different t-shirts at different shops and ended up loosing quite a bit of Liras. Adult t-shirts I bought it for 10TL, I bet you can get like 9 TL or 8TL if you buy more than one. Kids t-shirt I got about 8TL.

This is what i found while walking... its kinda nice to frame and keep at home



FOOD

loved the turkish delight at this particular tore in spice bazaar... the turkish delight is mixed with honey and not sugar so it wasn't sooooo sweet. here is a picture of me with the store owner.





Had fresh fish sandwich, they made it on the boat and we have it on land... it taste so good and you eat it with what they provide that is some lemon juice and some salt... i would add my own ketchup if i were to have this again.



I love the freshly squeezed juice they offer , im actually more interested on the juicer hahaha



WEBSITE
I found this website to be useful

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-blue-mosque
In 2009 I made a top 10 list of places I would like to visit for 2010... and fortunate enough I manged to visit a few.. guess i have to update my top 10 for 2011 although I may find it hard to travel since I have started work

2009 list for 2010 I manged to fulfill 4/10 ... ok i guess : )

1) TURKEY– Istanbul (DONE)
2) SPAIN - Cordoba – Granada
3) EGYPT –Cairo
4) ITALY – Rome (DONE)
5) MALDIVES
6) UNITED KINGDOM – London (DONE)
7) INDIA – Taj mahal (DONE)
8) US San Francisco and LA
9) INDONESIA - Bali
10) THAILAND – Bangkok

top 10 places to visit in 2011

1) SOUTH AFRICA - Johannesburg - Number one on my list this time
2) SPAIN - Cordoba _ Granada
3) MALDIVES - Yes this is still in
4) KOREA
5) JAPAN
6) EGYPT- I still want this on my list
7) THAILAND
8) US
9) VIETNAM
10) undecided... : )