[Aging] June 2025 - Toothache

Toothache issue started in early April, which I think mostly due to the many chocolates that I consumed in since March - attribute to stress... that's the time when many things were crushing in - not only the 15th anniversary celebration items (when there were lots of chasing) but also the last minute add-ons like study notes and additional guidance to go... 

It subsided after that... but when May came, it started to re-appear, and elevated to much discomforted to the gums and the cheek and some discomfort to the left eye! I think that's serious enough to get some attention. 

Decided to see the dentist on 9 June 2025 Monday (though it's a make-up holiday), I gave it a try! 

While the dentist was on leave, the dental receptionist helped to quickly book an appointment with the nearest available dentist to Tampines - at Changi Airport Terminal 3. She did not stop there, but even checked and advised me what's the nearest route and transport to take. I'm grateful to her help! 

By 10am, I reached the dental clinic. Again, met with another helpful dental receptionist - who helped to checked on available promotion package for scaling and cleaning. I counted my lucky stars for the day! 

Another pleasant surprise - I met my 'very first' dentist who extracted my wisdom tooth many many moons ago! He could not recall - but said it must be very long ago as he had been working from the Changi Airport branch for many years, too! I felt that I was in safe hands! 

Did an Xray of the teeth.. (but I forgot to take a photo of that Xray). The chipped tooth on the right that I broke a couple of weeks ago was first detected. Nevertheless, it was challenging to find any 'hole' on my right tooth. 

The hole in the right tooth was filled. While no hole was found the left tooth where I experienced the pain (around the gum area), he showed me a thin line that appeared on one of the tooth which could be a hairline crack. Root canal could be one of the resolution if it's diagnosed with deeper issues. Nevertheless, an examination with a more powerful Xray machine is necessary before the verdict. The cost is going to be hefty! 

One helpful thing he mentioned was, going to the Polyclinic would be cheaper but it would be a much longer wait. Yes, why I had never thought of the polyclinic? Probably because I know only private clinic can give a quick fix to the painful problem currently experiencing.  

A check in the Health Buddy showed that there's dental service in the Pasir Ris Polyclinic. Nevertheless, need to call for appointment. To my pleasant surprise, I could fix an appointment in 2 days' time! Surprisingly fast - I must be really very lucky.

On WED (18 June), the check was pretty fast - but this time, very focused - had an Xray targeted at the tooth that's giving problem. 

This time, it's a zoomed in Xray, showing how strongly these teeth were 'mounted'. The dentist also did an 'ice' test for these tooth to further diagnose which tooth is possibly facing the issue. 

Indeed, I think there's a pretty thorough examination done to the teeth... she was checking one by one and it's recorded. Seems like most of them are still in good condition, though the colour does not look that good - which Dentist Bernard Lee already accounted that it could be due to medication I had in my early life. 

Next step? Pending to the examination at the National Dental Centre in mid-July.

Feel that I was quite fortunate for this entire toothache episode - being able to get the necessary attention and care quite quickly. Grateful! 

Because of this toothache, I learnt that one way to improve the mouth hygiene is to drink peppermint tea. 

[Aging] 2025 June - Trigger Finger

I could me by surprise last week... I think around the time I went for my toothache treatment (23 June 2025). 

It's the first time experiencing this strange "snap"-and-"lock" feel for my left middle finger. Somehow, this time, it seems like I can associate it with "trigger finger" very quickly.

Did some checks in the internet: What is it? Oh! It's something to do with the tendon (again!!!). 

Coincidentally (and gratefully), this, from HealthXchange.sg appears in my mailbox: Trigger Finger: How to Prevent and Treat

Having read through, it is not difficult to understand why my left middle finger is going experiencing this - look more closely to how often this finger touches the keyboard! 

Further check in YouTube to see if there are some treatments... and found this simple and easy to do 'treatment'.

Not difficult. Indeed, it reminded me of some exercises are similar to the ones I did for my right hand during the physiology period.

The thumb-to-fingers TRACING exercise! 

Did a quick one - yes, my left hand still out perform my right hand. 

Must remember to do this more regularly.

Another easy exercise is this open palm wide and close palm tight exercise.

Aging Gracefully...

Can't help, but this topic of "aging" keeps popping up in the recent months (or even years) - since, for unknown reasons when my eyes turned red in end 2020 - which I still, often, blame it on the flu vaccination. It sounds a bit like 狗咬吕洞宾,不识好人心. It took more than 3 months for the phenomenon to subside - to date, the cause is still unknown, despite of the various tests I went through. That was just before my 50th birthday. 

Following that was the  includes another issue when I could not raise my right arm reach my head level... another one that haunted me for almost half a year. Though lots of hard work, it went off - this time, a suspected reaction to the 1st Covid-19 vaccine in 2020 mid-year. 

What else?

My knee cap issue has not been returning on and off - not helpful even when seeing the doctor - as the only advice is to get me manage my weight. It's about wear and tear I feel... what else I do to mitigate this problem? I've been avoiding steps since, and I guess, I'm getting use to managing the pain (which is not a solution to the problem).

Shoulder tightness is always there... though sometimes it's relieved temporarily through body massage - not just posture, but also stress and pressure, I believe. 

One of the greatest discomfort was my left foot tendon pain. I wonder was it due to excessive walking... the pain had been unbearable. It was the first time I thought, the sweat generated in the morning walking to the MRT station was from the pain each time I moved my right foot. It's the first time I learnt what's 寸步难行 . I had to resort to medication. Still experience the pain each time when I started moving after the foot rested for a while - nevertheless, it has been manageable. From now, I could better empathsize with people who can't move first, or have shown difficulty in walking and limping. I would no longer be impatient with them as I believe I could feel the amount of discomfort and pain they are going through. 

The more recent right wrist fracture has also brought me to further understand and empathsize with people who are going through similar challenges or with some form of disability. The lost of power - to do many things - that I took for granted. This last more than 4 months. Lessons learnt in the course of my recovery, too. 

Why this post?

I think it's a form of documentation of "LIFE" - before I forget. Yes, what happened in my course of aging? Too many little tiny bits to look out for. Yes, some posts will be tagged with "Aging Gracefully" rather than "Aging Problems". While I'm documenting some health issues I encountered along the way, it's not just problem - but each time, I would have (and expect to have) some ah-ha moments. 

It's lifelong learning. It's appreciating life, I believe. 

20250614 Alan Tam Classic Live

One of those concerts that I looked forward to attend - a legendary singer from Hong Kong, whom I have listened to his songs since my primary school days - though he said he celebrated his 50th year in the show business. Wow... counting... since I was five... nevertheless, only started to learn about his songs when I was exposed to the Hong Kong 十大金曲 (which I still have the song book in my personal library). It was the craze back then... in the early 80s, when all the cantonese songs overwhelmed the market, and all the then popular heavenly kings and queens (Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, Sam Hui)... the 4 heavenly kings (whom we know today) were not crowned yet. Alan Tam is known to be always 25 (regardless of which birthday). Though I had not followed as closely - haha... I was never a true-blue fan of these legendary singers, I was very familiar with some of the songs, going to the extent of memorising the lyrics. 

👆about an hour before teh show started

About the venue... 

I arrived about an hour before the show started. People started scrolling in. It's my first time to the Indoor Stadium. Bought the Category 2 ($294) ticket so that I'll be at the upper section - will not be blocked by fellow concertgoers when they stand up (Category 1 tickets - seats are on flat ground).

Also took a while to examine the seats so that I know how to make a more 'informed' choice if I were to come here for concerts in the near future 🤭

North section, Level 2 (view from top) - in my standard, the steps are actually quite narrow, and don't like the fact that it does not come with any handrails to hold - not friendly for people who have phobia of moving along heights. 

Seated at Section 222. Note that to my right is is 223 while to my left is 221. 

Ironically, the seat numbers run from right to left. My seat number is Row 17 #1. 

At level 2, it starts from ROW 13 - which I perceive as the best row since there's no 'blockage' even when fellow concertgoers stand up! 

My Facebook Post

The show begins at 8 pm!

The indoor stadium is fully filled! Mostly middle age & old(er) age. Probably many were accompanied by children. 

Many songs... one after another... Alan wasted no time but to keep the beat going. 

Many unfamiliar songs. I must confess, I'm not a die hard fan of Alan, but some of the songs really left deep impressions and they live through by younger days.  追星 was never an activity in my younger days - at most, listened to the songs and learn to sing along. 

However, the magic of music is... songs of my era is easy to follow and sing along! As age catches up, attending musicals and concerts have also slowly become one of those I enjoy doing (these days). For concerts, this one is definitely one of the most enjoyable one... which I travelled back for more than 4 decades in time! 

Glad that I went ahead to get the ticket when it's released the second time. 

Of course, it's not just anybody's show! But for someone who's already 74 yet still full of energy - he truly lives young! Respect.

Evergreen... 半梦半醒

Impressive fans who waved according to the rhythm and sang along! So immersed! 

Next... Warming up the crowd after the gentle waves... so cooperative! 🎼🎼🎼

Alan was definitely enjoying this, seeing his fans following his instructions! He's like the conductor of the choir! 👏👏👏 

Wow! The typhoon? The hurricane? has arrived! Feel the strong wind blowing through! See how immersed the fans are... swinging along, waving to the beat! Love it! Something we won't feel when we listen to the song, even a full blast at home! That's the wonder of listening it "live"! 

One of the finale pieces!

情不自禁的...

[F-Diary] #48 MON 12 OCT - Morning Walk

Having rested for close to 2 months, had my morning walk for the first time since the injury. The feel and smell of sweat is a welcoming one 😅

No longer worry about the sweaty arms as I'm already free from the cast. The brace is removal... 

The northern sky is a bit hazy...

 

[F-Diary] #43b MON 7 OCT - My 2nd Physiotherapy session

Arrived at the dot: 4pm... and ended up to be the last patient to leave, at close to 5.30pm. 

Spoke to Karen, the occupational therapist. Hm... I felt like I'm more eager to report back on what I did over the past one week, hoping to hear some affirmation of the efforts made to stretch and loosen the stiffness a bit. 

I was quite proud to show that my thumb can now touch the 4th finger, but still struggle to touch the little finger or the pinkie. Also clarified a couple of the exercises that I was a bit reserved to exert hand/ wrist.

Some angles were measured... slight improvement... strength test was the one that's not quite ideal - the grip with left hand at 10 while right hand only 2. A lot more to do.....

Learnt a series of new exercises

The survey before the therapy session... 

Here's the therapy treatments assigned for the next close to 45 min

palm up

Palm facing out... did not fare as good as the previous

The hammer stretch... that applies the physics principles of level to manage weight  by shifting the weight along the handle.

 

The last one is the playdoh - to press the various parts of the fingers against it to strengthen them with resistance. 

[F-Diary] #43a MON 7 OCT - Officially, I'm back....

Officially, today, I'm back in school. 

I had collected 2 sets of exam papers home last Friday but only marked 2 out of 3 questions. Slower than I thought I could...

Today is marking day... so, it's quite peaceful, though started gearing up with more interaction, and following-up of work... 😬 that takes no time to adjust... but immediate!

[F-Diary] #38 WED 2 OCT - Out for errands...

At last, getting my haircut after more than 1.5 months. It's time to trim and get refreshed. Rested at the hair spa segment. Felt good. 

Next is to go see the doctor. I was down to the last flu tablet, but the nose was still congested - Decold did not work for me. Thought of asking the doctor to strike it off my prescription list, But Dr Ng was patient enough to tell me more about the medicine. I was a bit surprised when he said "it's a potent medicine". It's a strong one, which implied the flu was serious to warrant one? but it seemed that my body was immune to it, I told him. Interesting, he told me ... be patient. It would take a week to 10 days to recover.

It concludes with a trip to the bank... oh... to update my bank book... the last time it was updated was more than a decade ago! Time flies! 

[F-Diary] #36 MON 30 SEP - The Day....

Reported to Counter C, another clinic which looks more cosy than the main area.

Today is the day to remove the cast. Today is the day when the covered area gets to see light after 5 weeks. 

This is the only photo with my Doraemon forearm. Am still masked up as I've not recovered from flu yet. 

Just before the 3-week old cast is 'cut'.... 

Removed!  The first thing is looked. at my hand, though the focus is actually the wrist. The palm thumb area is dry... as expected, but did not expect it to peel immediately. The discomfort - the roughness. 

The main area looks ok ... though the arm hair at the covered area needed to be awoken, I supposed. 

Yeah! The forearm looks normal 👍 though I could feel the weakness.

The X-ray on 30 Sep has not shown much difference, compared to the previous X-ray.

... compared what's on 9 Sep, the difference though not significant but can see the closing up at the healing part 😌

The hand is really weak... or psychologically, I'm afraid - to hold any weight. The weight of approx 750g almost dropped. But becomes quite comfortable as it rested on the arc between the thumb and the1st finger.

What needed to be done: Strength the fingers to gain mobility. Also to train up the strength and my writing, too - which obviously is badly affected, I believe.

Saw the occupational therapist. Christina was very patient and gentle, and to the details, and very comforting. 

Among the first things she did was to measure the wrist diameter. The circumference of my right (affected) wrist is 1cm more than my left. It's still swollen. It's normal.

A series of the simple exercises is expected... stretching exercises involving the entire arms. Then the finger exercises. I think I can do the first few quite regularly. 

Have chosen a nearer date to return for the next therapy session... next Monday.

Hopefully can see some good process.

Received this 3-fold double page leaflet. 

It look like... it's a common injury