About Aunty

Aunty is a new senior citizen and loving this phase of her life. Less responsibilities, less fear of being weird, able to do more of the things that I want to do! Older, yes, slower, yes, but life is even more wonderful in my golden years and I look forward to even goldener ones.

Shibaraku deshita, neh? (It has been awhile, hasn’t it?)

from duckling to swan

From duckling…

Aunty has had life on hold for the last few months and Sunday night was a pushing point out of the house since our youngest was crowned a princess in the Cherry Blossom Festival Ball!

It brought back a long ago memory at her preschool graduation ceremony 20 years ago.  Dressed in mini cap and gowns, each graduate had their shining moment on stage at which they shared their life goals as 5 year olds.  Some said they wanted to be doctors, bus drivers, or mommies.

Rosie announced that she was going to be a princess!

Congratulations, Princess Rosie!

court pics

Princess Rosie of the 63rd Cherry Blossom Festival Court, 3rd from right next to Queen Kim

 

Stretch! for your Health

Aunty is getting to the age of having her mother’s body.  Slow, achy, stiff, and sedentary.  Lately, this happens in the morning, then disappears during the day once activities get going.

It isn’t fun, becoming one’s mother.  We rather be forever young, but it isn’t going to happen without some help.

Today’s email from LiveInTheNow.com was about a muscle (fascia) causing pain, and the answer to it was stretching.  Somehow, we all know that stretching is good for us, but how many of us actually do it?

An handy pictorial chart of stretches had Aunty whipping through most of them.  Many were familiar, all of them easy.  The credits went to a site that was no longer accessible, so mahalo anyways to the uncredited originator.

Here’s the chart, happy stretching, to your youthful health!

Stretchin

Battery testing and a tip for storing them

battery storageFirst, the tip for storing batteries, learned from Alejandra of Alejandra.tv.  I got one of those craft organizers from City Mill and stuck all those loose batteries that were rolling around on my shelf after the Costco mammoth packs were opened up and batteries would spill out in freedom.

Works pretty good, though I am not sure if the ends should be all facing the same way so I put the more plentiful smaller sized ones (AAA) in a small plastic bag in order to control them.

When moving this battery case around, it is better to hold the case level instead of carrying it like a suitcase – less rolling and moving in the compartments.

Aunty really likes this storage solution.  It was a great way to grab up all those potentially good batteries that were hanging/hiding out in the closet that I hated to open.  However, some of those batteries didn’t look so good, and one even was dated 2011(!), but the Chang in me (sorry for the ethnic slur, but my friend Chang would understand) couldn’t just toss them out – what if they were still okay?

Musings is a blog that is written and maintained by a former school teacher named Kay.  I don’t even know her but I love to visit and eavesdrop.  One of her posts referred to a YouTube video about battery testing without any tools.  The video is below.  I did the test on the big batteries in my case – those D size ones, thinking that they were too big to fall.  Unfortunately, or maybe it was fortunate, they aren’t too big to fail, and fall they did.  Parting with potentially good batteries would have been tough.  Parting with junk ones is easy.  Mahalo for the tip, Kay!

Update:  Bill Harvey is one of the smartest people Aunty knows.  Bill emailed Aunty with an additional tip to test those 9 volt batteries where both terminals are on the same end.  Touch your tongue to the terminals and if there is a slight tingle, then it’s still good.  Aunty hasn’t tried that one yet – maybe one of these days when she needs a little excitement.  Also, even if some of the batteries fail the falling test, they may still have enough of a charge left to work, just not at full capacity.  Mahalo for the tip, Bill!

Update on update:  Aunty found a 9 volt battery lying around and did the tongue testing.  Wooohooo!  Tongue got a yowza of a tingle.  Then, the battery started getting quite hot, so Aunty tossed it in the outside trash can in case it decided to blow.  It was a bit too exciting for Aunty.

 

 

Ichiriki Review (hint: onolicious!)

One of Aunty’s daughters loves to eat out.  Ichiriki is her favorite lunch haunt because of their lunch deals.  Most of the nabes (hot pots) are $12.

The deal with the always hungry daughter was, if Aunty found a parking and we didn’t have to wait for a table, lunch was on.  We were in luck and seated on a sunken tatami mat table right away.

Their menu is a feast for the eyes, and Aunty ordered the Pork Chanko ($11.95).  Hungry daughter wanted the Ribeye Shabu Shabu ($19.95) but the treating Aunty made her pick a cheaper lunch, so she settled for the Shortrib Combo ($11.95).

Next step is choosing the broth, and everything was appealing.  Daughter ordered the Pirikari – spicy shoyu base, and Aunty ordered the Shio Pirikari – spicy salt base.  Both were excellent.  They weren’t too spicy, even if chili flakes were floating.  They were lightly rich, delicate yet strong.

The cooking begins with scoops of ground chicken/pork tsukune which comes in a bamboo tube followed by the beautiful array of ingredients on the platter – onions, mushroom, meat, cabbage, tofu, aburage.

Pots are split for 2 people.  As you can see, Aunty is much slower in putting the ingredients in the pot than hungry daughter.

It is do-it-yourself cooking, very easy and fun.

The soup stock was boiling hot and cooked everything quickly and to perfection.  Somehow the server knew to come back at just the right time to turn the heat down.

We ordered ponzu sauce with the meal – for 50¢ each.  Turns out to be the best 50¢ Aunty ever spent.  The lemon shoyu base is accessorized with both white and red grated daikon (radish) and finely chopped green onion.  (This picture shows the garnishes after Aunty mixed her sauce – sorry).  It made a heavenly dipping sauce that was so delicious, Aunty couldn’t help slurping it up on the sly.

The rice was good rice, the meal was super satisfying.  We didn’t want to stuff ourselves so we asked to take home our leftovers.  Can’t figure out how they can separate the leftovers into the take out containers, but they did, and we had another mini meal at home the next day.

We went to the Piikoi location – 510 Piikoi Street across from the west end of Ala Moana Shopping Center.  A place to go back to enjoy, moo ichido, moo ichido.  Most onolicious, oishii to the max!

 

Review of Hospice Hawaii

Hospice HawaiiUncle fought a battle against cancer and blockage from when he was first diagnosed in November of 2013 with stage IV appendiceal cancer after surgeons at Queen’s Hospital performed a right hemicolectomy.  In the ensuing months, which turned into a year, Uncle was in and out of the hospital for various reasons.

We left Queen’s for the last time under the care of Hospice Hawaii.  This is Aunty’s review.

In the beginning

The initial support and attention as we prepared to leave Queen’s Hospital was top notch.  Dr. Liane Tokushige, the director of Hospice Hawaii, came to meet us and go over what could or could not be provided, with some wiggle room for options.  She is a petite beautiful woman with MD qualifications in various fields.  Very humble, very sweet, very caring.

We left the hospital the day after that with a specialist accompanying us to a waiting transport service, all arranged by Hospice Hawaii.

Any necessities such as a wheel chair, suction compressor, oxygen, walkers, hospital bed, etc. would be provided and set up at home.

Home at last

The first evening home was a big transition, figuring out a new IV system as well as learning about different drugs to provide Uncle comfort.  We had visits from 2 nurses, one who did the “admission” procedure and later another nurse who dropped off more bags of saline for Uncle’s IV drip.

At this point in time, we were not giving up, and we continued with alternative means of getting nutrition into Uncle despite his blockage (which seemed to be clearing) as well as receiving natural treatments for his cancer.

Two days later, nurse Oma, came to check in on Uncle as well as see what else Uncle might be needing.  Oma became Uncle’s case manager.  She had a gentle touch and we were glad to have her on board.

A social worker, Mimi, came by to offer help if needed.  Very soft spoken nice lady, easy to talk with, respectful of our hopeful beliefs.  It was a busy beginning.

On call if needed

Hospice Hawaii has a 24/7 system.  On the 4th night home,  Uncle was in discomfort and having a hard time and we weren’t quite sure what to do.  Send him to the hospital?  Call 911?  We called the Hospice Hawaii main line for advice.

The hospice on call nurse came to our home and told us to dose him with the pain and anxiety meds, which took a little while to kick in, but helped somewhat.  We were informed that going to the ER or hospital would mean giving up all Hospice Hawaii services.  The hospital would do emergency procedures, tests, and constant hustle and bustle versus dosing Uncle with hospice drugs at home to make him comfortable.

His dressing was changed, taking much longer than we were used to.  Although this first on call nurse was very nice, he did not instill confidence in his abilities with us.  We were used to the high professional and quality standards of the nurses at Queen’s Hospital.  The main thing though, was that Uncle was in less pain now.

At the end

With each passing day, Uncle became weaker and weaker, and thankfully in less discomfort as time went on.  His body was shutting down and after a week of being home, Uncle gently passed on, very peacefully, at home.  We called the Hospice Hawaii hotline and a very capable and caring nurse came out to check Uncle’s vitals and call for his final arrangements.

To hospice or not to hospice?

On a prior discharge, Uncle went home on “home care”, which meant that we were still able to see doctors, have tests done, be on IV nutrition, aggressively seek treatment if desired.

When Uncle was discharged on hospice care, test, treatment, doctor visits, etc. were not covered.  The goal and purpose of hospice was to provide comfort, period.

Hospice provided us with on call nurses, a case manager, support staff, and setting up the home with whatever (i.e. bed, walkers, oxygen, etc.) the patient needs.  This was a great service and the biggest difference between hospice and home care was being able to call someone, at any time, for whatever reason.

“Home care”, which is a regular discharge from the hospital, provides the patient with whatever he needs, i.e. nutrition, follow up visits, and treatment for the ailments.  The only option for professional help in Uncle’s case was once a week visits from a traveling nurse who drew blood for lab tests, took vitals, and changed Uncle’s dressings.  It did not cover the costs of a hospital bed and other items of support unless the doctor prescribed them.

The best of both worlds, Supportive Hospice

To have the staff, meds, and equipment needs met by the Hawaii Hospice organization was great.  Being able to also have lab tests, doctor treatments and therapies would be even better.  This is supportive hospice.

Supportive hospice is a brand new program that is now covered by HMSA.  It is not yet covered by the awesome HMAA (our health insurance plan), so we did not have this option.  If we coulda, we woulda.

 

Aunty hopes you never have to go through the trials and heartache of your loved ones in or out of the hospital.  However, if you do, Hospice Hawaii provides a transition bridge between the hospital and home.  It is a great service.  Mahalo to Hospice Hawaii.

World Medicine Institute Review

WMIstatuesDr. Hana of Brain Fitness Hawaii referred us to Dr. Chang of the World Medicine Institute in Aina Haina because of Uncle’s health issues.  This place is Hawaii’s best place for acupuncture treatment.

Dr. Chang’s business is located way up in Aina Haina in a residential section.  Her house felt like stepping into China.  Many students and assistants were present in the small comfortable waiting room adjoined to a very large bright classroom with the biggest ceramic figurines of Chinese gods.

A very gentle and warm student assistant, Suki, went over a health questionnaire for Uncle, took his pulse with her fingers, looked at his tongue, and asked a lot of questions, all the while taking notes.

Dr. Chang is a master acupuncturist, from a 1000 year old family history of master acupuncturists.  She is a little woman with rather unruly hair and a ready laugh.

Need fulfilled

Uncle was very sick.  After a quick took and a few touches, Dr. Chang proclaimed that he had many issues, fire in the lower region, cold in the upper.  She would treat one area at a time in order for healing to begin.  6 needles were placed on Uncle’s calves and feet to deal with the “fire” in his gut.  He was told to rest for 20 minutes.

At that point, Aunty decided to get treated too.  Aunty’s health is pretty good, but recent stress has been causing heart ache and tightening up of neck and shoulders.  Dr. Chang took Aunty’s pulse on both wrists, looked at my tongue, and proclaimed that my liver and one kidney are in bad shape.  Aunty had 12 needles inserted at various points on neck, shoulder, back, and head, resting alongside with Uncle.

We both felt better – not 100% yet – but better.   Aunty got some herbs for the next 3 days.  We scheduled our next appointment for the following week.

On our second appointment, we felt like we were old friends with Dr. Chang.  She remarked at how much better Uncle looked and was very pleased to see that he had improved so much.  Aunty reported that the lower right back had twinges of pain a couple of days after the treatment, and this was normal as the body releases the toxins and bad stuff going on.

She put more needles into Uncle this time, and about 12 needles into Aunty’s head, neck, and feet this time.  Aunty’s newest problem was bad breath  (maybe that was why people would fan themselves when conversing with me.)

Again, both Uncle and I felt better after the treatment, and our next appointment was 2 days later.  Meanwhile, Aunty’s bad breath cleared away!

Funny

Since Aunty has had chronic neck and shoulder pain for many years, I was hopeful that acupuncture could help.  Dr. Chang told about a man who had migraine headaches for 40 years who came to see her for treatment.  He told her that if she could get rid of his headaches, he would give her half of his property.  Dr. Chang assessed him, inserted needles, and left him to rest.  He began getting a pain that started at his shoulder and moved down his arm and out.  His migraine was gone!

Did he give her half of his property?  Aunty wanted to know.  Ha!  With a chuckle and a hand slap, Dr. Chang said no.  Instead, he gave her $52, the standard fee for one session.   Dr. Chang’s treatment this time did help with Aunty’s neck and shoulder pain, immensely!  It’s a good thing I didn’t offer half of our home if she fixed it…

Uncle felt very relaxed after his treatment.  He likes to sit in the waiting room drinking herbal tea and I have to keep asking him if he is ready to leave.  Not yet, not yet, he replies.  Okay den.  Aunty is learning patience now.  Let Uncle chill out since it makes him feel better.

Tinnitis

During Aunty’s 3rd treatment, Dr. Chang treated the chronic tinnitis in my left ear with several needles in a triangle formation.  Whenever Aunty is more stressed than usual, the ringing in the ear gets very loud.  Lately, it was like a mini siren.  The first treatment for tinnitis was okay, and by the second treatment, the decibal level was lower. Subsequent treatments were mostly to deal with tinnitis, though the ringing was so much less noticeable.

After a rather stressful week and not being able to get a massage or acupuncture treatment, Aunty went in for a “fix” because vertigo was beginning to return. Years ago, Aunty had severe vertigo. Not fun at all. At the suggestion of a friend, I went to see Dick of Hikari Shiatsu. The vertigo went away and hadn’t returned – until just recently. To say my stress level was high is an understatement, and Dr. Tottori  (Dr. Chang was on a 6 week trip to China) administered acupuncture to my left ear region as well as treating my liver, spleen, and kidney.

Vertigo is now under control, and Aunty plans to go at least weekly until things settle down in her life.

Uncle’s digestive problems

Back in November, Uncle was diagnosed with appendix cancer.  Queen’s Hospital surgeons did a right hemicolectomy (cut out 1 foot from the small intestine, 1 foot from the large intestine, and joined overlapped ends) because his appendix caused total intestinal blockage and he was suffering miserably.  Unfortunately, a predictable result from that type of surgery is blockage – from scar tissue.  Uncle had major blockage and was suffering.

We tried low residue food, even astronaut powdered drinks.  We tried Jini Patel’s Stricture Heal process, which did help a little, but left Uncle feeling exhausted and very weak.

Dr. Chang was noticing how Uncle was losing even more weight and energy, and suggested we stop ALL the protocols, supplements, foods that he was currently on, and just drink water or soups made from bones when he felt like drinking.  He was told to let his poor bombarded abdomen rest and relax.  Raw foods were too difficult for his compromised system to process, and his diet was only cooked broth foods from bones of fish, beef, chicken with some yamaimo chopped up and cooked for 10-20 minutes.

She would stick acupuncture needles in his legs, the same places as before.  Uncle always felt better after these treatments, and his abdomen area did improve because of the break from forced eating.

She checked his tongue – which was very red, signifying inflammation of the stomach.  It was also cracked, which signified multiple problems.

About a month later, Uncle’s tongue started to get pink and the cracks were diminished or gone.  Slowly, Uncle’s stomach was recovering, but his blockage persisted.  She said to see an oncologist because of his physical symptoms of blockage and bloating.

A visit to Queen’s confirmed the blockage due to scar tissue, and his growing cancer was making him bloated.

For Uncle, he needed more than acupuncture, but he will continue to see Dr. Chang for the supplemental boost that he always gets under her needle treatments.

Superwoman

Aunty tries almost everything.  Uncle worries about it, but so far, things always work out.  One day, Aunty opened up a bottle of Dr. Sears’ Ultra Essence, dissolved a scoop in water and drank it with a meal.  This has been touted (by Dr. Sears) as the fountain of youth – lengthening telomeres which create younger cells.

2 days later, Aunty was on Dr. Chang’s table with needles inserted near the tinnitis, on the neck, arms, legs and feet.  About 10 minutes later, a surge of energy went through Aunty’s entire body like a wave of heat.  Bam!  Aunty felt different and couldn’t wait for the needles to be removed.

At home the next day, it was as if a bulldozer took over.  Tasks that I kept putting off that would require a lot of physical effort were tackled with zeal and non stop energy.  Aunty moved boxes out and tore out plywood.  Cleared areas that were an eyesore.  Uncle said that he was a bit worried because he could hear me working and pounding downstairs in our basement.

It was exhilarating, and I really am not sure if it was the Ultra Essence or the acupuncture session or the combination of the two.  However, since that day, Aunty’s body still feels stronger.  Uncle doesn’t want me to take the Ultra Essence anymore because he fears it may do damage, or maybe he fears that I might do too much around the house.

(Aunty will experiment with Ultra Essence later and update you all on it.  If you want to try some, let Aunty know and I’ll share a scoop with you.)

talentiOn what we eat

Sometimes we would bring food for the Institute.  Baked manapua from Royal Kitchen in Downtown (LOVE their baked manapua!) would get scarfed up by the students/assistants.

Once, we brought a pint of Aunty’s favorite ice cream, Talenti Gelato – Sicilian Pistachio.  OMG, one spoonful in the mouth makes Aunty feel like she is in heaven.  It was accepted with pained graciousness.  We found out that TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) avoids dairy, sugars, and cold foods – which was exactly what the gelato consisted of.

There is no judgement at the Institute, but we have learned to be more careful of what we bring as gifts.  What we eat today will directly affect our health in the coming years.

For Uncle’s digestive problems, he needed cooked foods, not raw.  Broth from beef, fish, or chicken bones.  Juicing from vegetables and/or fruits, which is then cooked.  Vegetables cooked until they are soft and more easily digested.

For Aunty, a change of diet would mean more vegetables, less meat, and definitely less sugar.  Interestingly enough, ever since Aunty had her superwoman rush, the urge to have mini Twix candy bars multiple times during the day have subsided!

We will be changing our diet lifestyle, slowly but surely.  Thank goodness for Whole Foods in the neighborhood.  Most of the food there helps us to make healthy choices, though Aunty still indulges in a spoonful of Talenti’s Sicilian Pistachio from time to time, quite often.

Doesn’t hurt, but…

Aunty does not feel any pain from the needles, unless I move (which one shouldn’t do) after they are inserted.  They are very thin needles, some thinner than others.

Uncle feels them much more than I.  He is like a hunter, anticipating what is coming before it has come, so sometimes he will jump as if pricked even if Dr. hasn’t even touched him with a needle.  We all have a laugh about it, but Uncle doesn’t think that it is funny.

Assistants come in from time to time during the resting period (anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour) to check on how we are doing, and most of the time we fall in and out of sleep.  Needles are removed and we can either rest some more, or get up and leave.

Cost

Each session costs $50 plus tax.  Herbal supplements are made by the Institute to ensure quality, and they are reasonably priced at around $2/tablet, or dried herbs for tea or broth are sold for cheap, too.

Uncle and I get the 10 sessions special for $430, which we share.  It is worth much more than that for the benefits and healing that we receive.  Thousands of years of history and practice for $43 is an honor.

Highly recommend

Dr. Chang and Dr. Tottori are simply awesome.  What surprises us is that they are not busier.

The World Medicine Institute if both an active practice as well as a school for healers.  Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays are open for treatments by Dr. Chang up in Aina Haina (Hind Iuka Drive), and Tuesdays and Thursdays are treatment days by Dr. Tottori at the University Square office.  Appointments can be made by calling (808) 373-2849 for the Aina Haina location, and (808) 947-4788 for the University Square location.

 

Peak into the North

Aunty finished watching “Doctor Stranger” on DramaFever.com recently.  It was about Korean doctors’ love drama trauma and we had background glimpses into North Korea since some of the characters originated from there.  A link from the Palm Beach Letter (one of many newsletters that Aunty subscribes to) took Aunty to a time-lapse video of North Korea’s capitol done by British filmmakers, with approval from the North Korean government.

Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?  Modern, clean, happy, purposeful people in a centralized economic Communist country.

Click here to see smuggled out photos of more of the real North Korea.  Velly intelesting.  Indeed.

Here’s another interesting video, rather chilling one of a former North Korean labor camp escapee.  Jalna had it on her blog awhile ago.  He was born and raised in the very hush hush unreal existence, doomed from birth by a government of cuckoo dictatorship.  Lucky we live in the USA.

 

3 Magic Words

Bibidibobidiboo!Aunty just recently subscribed to Bug Free Mind’s free trial offer – 5 chapters of the program and access to their website (after registering and logging in).   Aunty also joined as an affiliate to the program – just in case this really is what it promises to be.  A review of the program will be forthcoming, but it really does seem to be mind set changing – the first change necessary for any improvement in our lives.  Rich Dad Robert Kiyosaki preaches this all the time, and his Cash Flow game changes one’s mindset from stuck in the rat race to unlimited passive beautiful income.

An article in the Bug Free Mind website was entitled “3 Magic Words that Eliminate Stress Immediately!”

Hmmm.  What could those be?  “You won $1,000,000” would work for Aunty.  “Honey, I’m home!” used to work long ago in the honeymoon phase of marriage.  “Just go shopping” was an action that used to work wonders.

Well, according to the article, those 3 magic words are, “Accept what is.”   Hmmm.   Accept what is.

It almost sounds too simple, but on further reflection, they are words of wisdom and really can relieve stress.  Try it out on a situation in your life that creates stress.  Acknowledge that the problem, condition, circumstance exists, because it does.  It is what has happened, what is, and all the worrying and stressing about it does not change it.  Glare at it, swear at it, cry over it, and then accept that that is what you own.

The magic happens after that – when you can look at those stress producing piles of crap and decide on a plan of action to eliminate or deal with them.

Can’t figure out a plan of action?  Another article in the Bug Free Mind says to sleep on it.  Just before falling asleep, ask the questions for which you have no answers.  “What can I do to improve my relationships?”  “How can I pay my bills?”  Ask, out loud or silently, just before you drift into slumber.

In the morning, in those first 10 – 20 minutes of arising, the answer(s) may be there.  If not, repeat until you get the answers.

Does it work?  It doesn’t hurt to try.  Aunty will try and let you know later.  Let Aunty know how it goes for you, mahalo.

[note from Aunty:  once you register for the free trial, a rather aggressive email campaign to get you to opt into the full program will begin.  Aunty’s suggestion is that you just ignore these for now, just get the free stuff, cruise through their website before signing up for anything more.  The good thing about their aggressive email campaign (done with excellence, btw) is how your affiliate relationship with them is supported automatically.]

Spell a Phone number and number your life

Personality/character analysis based on your name.  PaulSadowski.com is a website that will give you a free report on what your name means.  Pretty cool stuff – enter your full name, and you get a printable report giving you your numbers and the characteristics of those numbers.  Pretty spot on for me.  Goes to show that it is very important what you name your kids!  You can also get your birthday calculator done, but I strongly suggest you don’t access that on the same computer and/or day that you enter your full name, just being safe here.

I used to be able to remember phone numbers.  I also used to be able to remember why I walked into a room.  So now, if someone gives me their phone number and I want to remember it, I go to PhoneSpell.com, put in their phone number, and I get all the possible alpha combinations so I can remember their number later on my keypad.  It doesn’t always give you a real word, but sometimes it works just fine.

Just some fun stuff for you!