Friday, March 30, 2007

Maulidur Rasul

Muhammad S.A.W.
To all my brothers and sisters of Islam who so happen to read my blog, I wish them to commemorate this day together and have a memorable Maulidur Rasul.

What is Maulidur Rasul?

It is the day the last Messenger (Rasul) of Allah was born!

Muhammad (S.A.W.) was born on a Thursday, on the 12th day of Rabiul Awal in the year of the Elephant which is equivalent to 23 April 571 in the Gregorian Calendar.

Allahumma Solli 'Alaa Muhammad
Wa 'Alaa Aali Muhammad
Kama Solaitaa 'Alaa Ibrahim
Wa 'Alaa Aali Ibrahim.
Wa Baarik 'Alaa Muhammad
Wa 'Alaa Aali Muhammad
Kama Barakta 'Alaa Ibrahim
Wa 'Alaa Aali Ibrahim.

Ameen

Okay, folks ...
I'm off to the mosque!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Flesh-Eating Bug!

I received the following email on 22 March 2007 through the office colleague. Thinking that it was a farce I ignored it but my mind changed until I saw an article in the New Paper about the flesh-eating bug!

The email that I received --

Dear Colleagues & Friends,

My family and I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your generous contributions and heartfelt condolences showered on us during the bereavement of our father.

I would also like to take this opportunity to caution all to be aware that you must consult the doctor immediately if you are injured by any crabs and developed such symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever and slight swelling of the wound. This is to ensure you do not become another victim of the Flesh Eating Bugs.

Enclosed are the events of what had happened to my father.

My father was pricked by the crabs (bought from .- a well known supermkt....) while washingthem at about 11am on 22nd Feb 07.

He was fine until mid-night when he became ill with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever and swelling of the wound.

As he was still conscious, he did not want to go to the hospital for treatment. At about 6 am, he became semi-conscious and we called for the ambulance to send him to the hospital.

When the paramedic arrived, they advised that he is in very critical condition as his heart beats were irregular and his blood pressure had dropped to very low or critical condition.

He was immediately sent to the nearest hospital (NUH) where the doctor stabilized his condition and immediately operates his hand to try and remove the infection which has traveled up to his elbow.

During the operation, the doctors came back to us and advised that he was infected by the Flesh Eating Bugs and they were unable to remove them. They advised that they need to amputate his hand from the elbow to remove the source of the infection to give him a surviving chance.

After the amputation, he was sent to the ICU for observation. His condition was stable but no improvement was seen.

Next morning, 24th Feb 07, the doctors called us back and informed that my father will go anytime and nothing can be done to improve his condition as he was already on maximum dosage of the drugs.

The doctors also suggested that we reduce the dosage to let him try on his own to live or go quickly and reduce his sufferings.

He died peacefully half hour after the drugs were reduced in the afternoon.

Thank you once again and may you all be well and happy and be blessed with good health.

Warmest Regards


The Electric New Paper :

Man dies of flesh-eating bug after being nicked by live crab. His last words:

The worms inside me must come out

THEY were strange words. But they were a sign that all was not well with Mr Tan Boon Hock.
By Joyce Lim

23 March 2007

THEY were strange words. But they were a sign that all was not well with Mr Tan Boon Hock.

The words, which were uttered to his daughter, also turned out to be his last.

Mr Tan, 83, died from a 'flesh-eating bug' after a crab nicked him with its pincers.

The rare bacteria had entered his body through the wound. Despite a last-ditch effort by doctors to save him by amputating his arm, the elderly man died within two days.

Tragedy and pain were far from everyone's minds when his brother-in-law visited the family at their four-room HDB flat on the fourth day of Chinese New Year and gave them live crabs.

Mr Tan's daughter, Ms Mary Tan, 47, said: 'Everyone in our family loves crabs'.

The childcare teacher added that her uncle loves to give them live crabs whenever he visits them.

That day, he had bought the crabs from a neighbourhood supermarket.

Mr Tan's wife, Madam Sit Ong Kee, told The New Paper that as she was not home, her husband decided to steam the crabs the next day.

Madam Sit, 83, said it was always her husband's job to clean the crabs as she did not know how to do it.

Ms Tan recalled: 'My dad and mum ate the crabs in the afternoon and he saved one for me when I went home for dinner that night.

'My dad then showed me a plaster at the back of his left palm.

'He told me that he was wounded by a crab while cleaning it. He looked fine and it did not cross my mind that the wound could be fatal.

'My dad did not suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes. I'm still shocked by his accident.'

That day after eating the crabs, at around midnight, Mr Tan started throwing up and had diarrhoea more than five times, Madam Sit said.

'He became very weak and I stayed up the whole night to look after him,' she said in Hokkien.

'His legs were very weak and I had to take him to the toilet many times.'

At 1am, Madam Sit woke her daughter, who was sleeping in the next room.

Ms Tan said: 'By 3am, my dad was too weak to go to the toilet.

'We just let him pass motion on his bed. He could still talk and said that he did not want to go to the hospital.'

It did not occur to Ms Tan that her dad's condition was critical and would eventually become fatal.

Ms Tan, who lives with her parents in the flat, recalled the last thing her dad told her: 'He said to me in Hokkien that all the worms inside him must come out.

'I thought that was strange.'

Ms Tan and her mother had thought that Mr Tan was suffering from food poisoning.

By 6am, the next day, Madam Sit was exhausted from looking after her husband.

She then called her fourth child and only son, MrTan Aik Cheng, for help.

The younger Mr Tan, 50, an engineer, said: 'I told my younger sister, who lives with my parents, to call for an ambulance.

'When I arrived at my parents' flat, the paramedics told me that my dad was in critical condition. His blood pressure was dropping rapidly and his heartbeat was irregular.'

The elder Mr Tan was admitted to National University Hospital (NUH) on 23Feb.

His son said: 'Doctors at NUH told me that my dad was attacked by a flesh-eating disease and the infection had travelled from his hand to his elbow.

'My dad's arm had to be amputated to prevent the flesh-eating bacteria from spreading further. It was his only chance to survive.

'But even so, he did not make it.'

The elder Mr Tan died the following afternoon in the intensive care unit.

All his nine children and 14 grandchildren were by his bedside when he died. His son said: 'My dad's eyes were closed.

'But we whispered into his ear and we saw tears flowing from his eyes. We believe he heard us. Then he left us.'

Mr Tan described his dad as a simple man who led a simple life.

'At his old age, he stayed home most of the time.'

He would spend his time watching TV and sleeping.

Madam Sit said she is deeply saddened by her husband's death, but said that the incident would not put her off crabs.

Mr Tan said: 'It was a rare accident.

'We won't stop eating crabs.

'But we want to warn others to be careful when cleaning crabs.'



My dad's arm had to be amputated to prevent the flesh-eating bacteria from spreading further. It was his only chance to survive. But even so, he did not make it.

- Only son Tan Aik Cheng


How the flesh-eating bug attacks
Last Updated: Thursday, 10 November 2005, 12:51 GMT
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version


Scientists have discovered how a type of flesh-eating bug disables a key part of the body's immune system.
Muscle infected with the strep bacteria

Muscle infected with the strep bacteria


A team from Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust looked at why the streptococcus A bacteria can be deadly in some cases.

It causes conditions ranging from mild throat infections to the flesh-eating bug necrotising fasciitis.

The Hammersmith team found group A strep can destroy a key immune system messenger which should alert the body to the bacteria's presence.

We could potentially have a vaccine against streptococcus necrotising fasciitis
Professor Ron Cutler, University of East London

Many people carry the bacteria harmlessly on their skin and in their nose and throat.

But it can cause severe bloodstream infections, toxic shock syndrome - and necrotising fasciitis.

Over 2,000 cases of invasive disease caused by strep A are reported every year. Up to one in five patients die, if the bacteria get into the blood.

'Shooting the messenger'

The team's research began when a patient admitted to the hospital died from necrotising fasciitis, caused by a very virulent form of strep A.

Experts looked at post mortem samples from the patient and found that, despite the presence of the bacteria in muscle tissue, there were hardly any white blood cells, which would normally be the body's first line of defence.

The strain affecting the patient was isolated and grown in the lab, and biochemical analysis found that the bacteria prevented the immune system responding as normal by "shooting the messenger".

The bacteria interacts with a molecule called IL-8 which should act as the messenger to rally other parts of the immune system to attack the "invader".
But these messages are blocked, meaning the bacteria is unchecked.

The researchers then looked closely at its make-up.

They found a particular piece on the surface of the bacteria, which they have called SpyCEP, is responsible for blocking the action of IL-8.

Strains of strep A with the highest levels of SpyCEP were most effective at inhibiting the body's immune response.

Dr Shiranee Sriskandan, who led the research, said the finding was important because more analysis of the SpyCEP fragment could help in the development of a vaccine against strep A.

She said: "There is currently no vaccine against all types of group A strep.
"We are hopeful that this is the first step to developing one that is broadly effective and safe."

Professor Ron Cutler, an infectious diseases expert at the University of East London, said: "This is an exciting finding."

He added: "It's a very technical finding, but we could potentially have a vaccine against streptococcus necrotising fasciitis."

Professor Cutler said much more research was needed to develop any vaccine and to see how effective it could be, and who should be receive it.

The research has been published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.


Singaporeans like to eat chilli crabs. This blog is not to hinder anyone from eating such seafood delicacies.

You may eat them. The flesh-eating bugs are not only found in crustaceans.

If you cook your food properly, you need not worry.

Just take more precautions when preparing the dishes.

Don't prick yourself!

Monday, March 26, 2007

Lost And Found - The Maths Genius.

This post is long overdue.
I've been overloaded with work and establishing staff welfare while not forgetting my family.

I woke up one morning last week to find this A4 size paper on the fridge.

Lost & FoundWhen my sister came into the kitchen, she told me that her son did it by himself.
I smiled as I analysed my nephew's work.

For a primary three student, he amazed me. There's humour in the poster.

This is the boy who told my mom last December that he did not do well in school.
He got all A's in his subjects except for Mathematics. I asked him what he meant by not doing well and he told me that it was because he got a B in Mathematics!

I corrected him that as long as he did his best for anything,
he is doing well and that getting a B in Maths is OKAY.

hmmm ... I foresee another Maths genius in the family!

Yes, this is the boy who put up the poster asking if we had found his book.
Nazirul Akmal
This is Nazirul Akmal Bin Rashid.
My nephew! ")

errr ...
in case you are wondering what happened to his book ...
his Ustazah had accidentally kept it.

No rewards for any right guesses!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

I'm Missing You!

I enjoyed our outing earlier today.

It was filled with varieties of emotions --
from worries and stress
to satisfaction and relaxation.

Even Dr. Poh KK's show of emotion makes me smile!
There was humour in that Heart Centre .... hehehe

Yup ... the massage really works!
You'll get your full body massage soon, sayang ;-)

Anyway, while watching American Idol on TV, I texted you the song title of Diana Ross' Missing You and you happened to call me just as I sent the message.

Now is that a coincidence or is that telepathy at work?

Well, what ever it is ...

I'm missing you!




That was the original 1994 Diana Ross' version written by Lionel Richie.

The one shown below is Whitney Houston's version sung on 5th October 1997.


Diana Ross - Missing You
(Lionel Richie)

Since you've been away
I've been down and lonely
Since you've been away
I've been thinking of you
Trying to understand
The reason you left me
What were you going through?

I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns
Ooh ooh
I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns

As I look around
I see things that remind me
Just to see you smile
Made my heart fill with joy
I'll still recall
All those dreams we shared together
Where did you run to, boy?

I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns
Ooh ooh
I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns

Sometimes I've wondered
I didn't understand
Just where you were trying to go
Only you knew the plan
And I tried to be there
But you wouldn't let me in

But now you've gone away boy
I feel so broken hearted
I knew the day we started
That we were meant to be
If only you'd let me!
I've cried so many tears
Gotta face now all my fears
We let time slip away
I need you boy
Here today!

There was so much you gave me
To my heart
To my soul
There was so much of your dreams
That were never told
You had so much hope
For a brighter day
Why were you my flower
Plucked away

I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns
Ooh ooh
I'm missing you
Tell me why the road turns

Monday, March 12, 2007

Fold Your Own Clothes!

I was lazing around on the sofa half-asleep and half-awake when my eyes focused on the tv that was staring at me for the past hour.

It was 'The Martha Stewart Show' and she has this guest who was showing her how to fold a t-shirt.

I was saying to myself ... yeah yeah ... trying to teach me how to fold my own clothes, huh?

I jumped up when I realised that the folding technique was different and that the finish was as if the t-shirt came from a shop display.

It got me interested.

I tried to remember the methods. It was simple but I could not figure out how our hands become twisted and when they come back untwisted, the t-shirt was folded!

It was like magic!




Copyright ©2005 Fold A Shirt. All content is copyright individual owners.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Listen to Your Heart.

DHT - Listen to Your Heart.

original slow version

DHT - Listen to Your Heart


a faster version

DHT ft Edmee - Listen To Your Heart


"DHT - Listen To Your Heart"


I know there's something in the wake of your smile
I get a notion from the look in your eyes yeah
You've built a love but that love falls apart
Your little piece of heaven turns to dark

Listen to your heart
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
The precious moments are all lost in the tide yeah
They're swept away and nothing is what it seems
The feeling of belonging to your dreams

Listen to your heart
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before.... you tell him goodbye

And there are voices that want to be heard
So much to mention but you can't find the words
The scent of magic, the beauty that's been
When love was wilder than the wind

Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before oh... before you tell him goodbye

Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Rain, Rain, Go Away ....

I was not working yesterday and had intended to pay my bills.
The rainy weather had me cooped up in my room.
I felt gloomy just like the weather.

Lucky for me, my SM kept calling from work ...
yayyyy!

It was later in the afternoon that we decided to meet.
She would be meeting me after work.

I knew how tired she would be.
She has plenty of things to do.

Her exam is only days away!

Anyway, when we finally met at 10.30pm,
I received a gift from SM.

It is a fridge magnet!!!

My heart is stuck on Nur Farah Damri!aawwwwww ..... I'm touched.

Thank you, Sayang.

* mmmmmmmuackz * to my Sayang Manja!
* mmmmmuackzzz *

I will be using this to pin up notes on my desk.

Like the magnetic heart that sticks on the board,
my heart remains forever attached to my SM.


I'm missing her now.

May she have a safe journey home from work.
Ameen.

A. Karim BAR loves Nur Farah Damri.