My third son

Accidents do happen and the best of all, the same accident happen to me 3 times. How reckless I was. My marriage started in year 2000 with the agreement that we would not have kids. Well, the reason for that was because my wife had suffered from a backbone complication called ‘scoliosis’ when she was a teenage. What happen was that her backbone had deformed into an ‘S’ shape and an operation was necessary to insert some steel rods to strengthen her backbone. The operation was not 100% successful, it only manage to stop the backbone from curving further, still slightly curvy now and it’s very obvious that she has a slight hump when seen from the back. Occasionally, she may also experience back pain especially during rainy days. Due to the deformity, she was advised not to carry too much weight and needless to say, pregnancy may increase the risk of harming her backbone. But somehow, we ended up with this plan ‘unsuccessful’ because nine years later, we have got 3 kids instead. Well, accident will happen if precaution is not taken, as she does not feel comfortable to use condom and fear of any side effects from taking pills. Anyway, no point ‘crying’ over spilt milk or should I take it as a blessing. Maybe I should, as there are a lot couples that paid a fortune trying to conceive babies instead. Like it or not, it has happen so and live life to the fullest with the given new set of parameter.

She gave birth at the same hospital and was attended by the same gynae for the second child birth where she experienced some small wound on her leg. Well, it was her choice and since she was more comfortable with that gynae, so be it. We tried to think that the previous wound was an accident but this time, there was another complication; wound infection on the C section area. The gynae did not give an exact answer on how it could happen and mentioned various possibilities but whatever it could be, it should not have happen in a private hospital. Due to that, we had to go back to the gynae for check up and change the dressing on the wound every few days for RM90 per visit for two weeks. The other thing was that, my wife did not wish to pursue this matter with the hospital’s management or consumer tribunal. Well, it was her choice again. Man, I’m really sick and tired of the degrading quality of doctors and healthcare services we have here. As I’ve said to most of my friends, things are not cheap but reasonably priced in Malaysia if you consider the quality you are getting (maybe the quality ones have been reserved for serving the expats or VIPs who are willing to pay a premium).

Anyway, so glad that the wound healed up after 3 weeks and it didn’t lead to more complications. Meanwhile, the baby was healthy, a boy weighting 3.25 kg and growing quite well now. Unfortunately, similar to my second child, this third one is also suffering from occasionally vomiting and because of that, we have to give those AR (anti regurgitation) formula which cost around RM52 per tin of 800 gram (which probably last for 10 days), and such milk is not easy to find, only sold in selected pharmacies.

Well, there I have it, the toughest journey in my life just got tougher, with triple dose of trouble every moment when at home. Thankfully, we’ve got an Indonesian maid to help out the chores at RM550 per month and also parents to look after the kids during weekdays. But with such crowd at home, an upgrade is inevitable, definitely a squeeze for us in an 850 square feet apartment. Been surveying around and was shocked to find that prices of double storey terrace house in KL has reached RM500k per unit in those less prime suburban area. All this is due to the contribution of the previous PM for waiving the real property gains tax, speculation in the property sector is rife now, pushing prices to insane level. Even then, buyers are still willing to queue up (or employ people to queue up for them at RM300 per day) for up to two weeks to buy those property. Simply unbelievable … or am I the only one that is too poor to live in KL.

Apart from a bigger house, an MPV purchase is also on the pipeline, currently with two adults, two toddlers, one baby and one maid, we probably need a 7-seater to move around. Alternatively, a smaller 5+2 seater. Have shortlisted the Avanza, Grand Livina and the soon to be launched Perodue MPV (heard it will named Alza). Upon launching of the Alza, a decision can then be made.