The word is out. The pain in my neck, which has haunted me for months, is actually underlying dyslipidemia and cervical spondylosis and anterolisthesis. It look many months to discover those big words (much less to understand them) but this is how it FINALLY came about. Mohan suggested I see the ‘family’ doctor. Dr. Lee. I was first seen for an appointment at his clinic on May Day, he ordered an x-ray at an outpatient radiological clinic. When the report was received, the x-rays were in my hand then Dr. Lee made a home visit. Such would be unheard of in the USA, even with the finest of medical insurance. In Canada it would be impossible to even obtain the services of a doctor particularly if you were a new patient to a city, even a worse situation if you lived in a rural location.
Faithful readers will know that I tried, with initial success, alternative Chinese medicine. The relief I found was, unfortunately, temporary. This was however, preferable to having a prescribed MRI at the Loh Guan Lye Hospital – fortunately averted because it was Chinese New Years, and the MRI technicians were on holiday.
Loh Guan Lye was the best place for cataract surgery, and a neurologist was an excellent diagnostician. Ongoing medical care is needlessly expensive, it can take hours to be seen by a physician so it is totally impractical to receive ongoing medical care at that facility. I could, at this juncture, discuss the various strata and levels of medical care in Malaysia but not now, not at this moment.
Dr. Lee arrived, put the x-ray film up to the window illustrating and explaining the problem, taking his phone showing me the bone structure of a normal neck. I received excellent medical care throughout my long life – Dr. McAllister served as my internist for 44 years. I had the same rapport with Dr. Lee, a Malaysian educated MD. The plan documented on my receipt: physiotherapy and to maintain good neck posture. I have become a sloucher, that mu self diagnosis. Of course, I Googled to find:
“Proper posture is often referred to as a “neutral spine”; slouching is an improper posture or a “non neutral spine”. Slouching is often described as improper posture, movement or rigidity of the spine, especially the cervical and thoracic regions, in relation to other parts of the body.”
That’s me. I could not be described by the verb slouch. For someone my age I have NOT declined, deteriorate, degenerate, worsen, lapse; go downhill, go to pot, go to the dogs, nosedive. Hahaha
This the amazing conclusion to the home visit. I did express concern for the health of some family members. Dr. Lee smiled in his totally positive manner saying: “Just be happy, just keep yourself happy. That is all you have to do.“
I am happy with the treatment plan. I will, of course, follow up, making an appointment for physical therapy. I can, at the same time, get treatment for my left knee and my neck. I can be almost good as new. Hahahaha
But enough about me.
“Enough about me” is a phrase used to politely indicate that someone has been talking about themselves for too long and it’s time to shift the focus to someone else. It’s a way of saying “I’ve shared enough about my own life, now let’s talk about you”.
I cannot not talk about you gentle readers as you are anonymous to me. Instead I shall speak of the faith – my recent and continuing insights.
During prayer one evening I randomly opened to one page, and this is what I found. This strengthened my beliefs relating to the wisdoms of the pearl and the shell. Quran 3:189-191
“To God ‘alone’ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And God is Most Capable of everything. 190. Indeed, in the Creation of the heavens and the earth and the alteration of the day and night, there are signs for people of reason. 191. ‘They are’ those who remember God when standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ‘and pray’, Our Lord, You have not created all of this without purpose. Glory Be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
The Quran is speaking to the believers telling them to use their reason and recognizes that worshipping and being with their God can take place at all times, while standing, sitting and lying on their sides – not only during ritual prayer.
Added knowledge and insight became known and provided to me. I was texting my friend KL friend, Alina.
Me: AND Shamir ordered a book on Sufism for me and it was immediately delivered for a mere 29.19 RM. It is written by my favorite author Martin Lings Alhamduillah.
She: I have his book about The Prophet PBUH
Me: I have it too. It is absolutely amazing. I devoured it in January of 2023, when I had just returned to Edmonton from a rather flawed Umrah. It enabled the growth of my faith.
She: Alhamdulillah
I have begun reading What is Sufism. This from the Author’s Preface.
“The title of this book is a question; and that question, as far as the Western word is concerned, has been given some dubious and suspect answers in recent years. Moreover, the the rapidly expanding in Sufism increases still further the need fora reliable introductory book—introductory in the sense that it requires no special knowledge, and reliable in that it is written any more simply than the truth will allow.” But though such a book may presuppose no special knowledge, it necessarily presupposes a deep and searching interest in spiritual things….Most Western readers of this book will have heard quite early in life that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. They will also have heard the words: Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened onto you, But how many of them will have every received any instruction in the way of seeking or the art of knocking? And even as these last four words were being written down, it came to mind that they are, in this given context, and answer to the very question put by our title.” The Preface ends: Martin Lings London 1973
I shall lazily photograph the front and back covers of the book and the title page. I am being lazy, not manually typing all of the information. Sometimes, indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words. Hahaha
Another ‘photograph’ is me. Included it in a WhatsApp text to friend Alina.
Me: Guess who? I created this today with the help of our Creator. I could not do it on my own. Allhanduillah.
She: Nice! I dunno how to do this.
Me: I did not either. So everything is working out great. Alhamdulillah
She: Alhamdulillah
I sent my ‘creation’ to Mohan as well as Shamir, This my conversation with Shamir. The one with Mohan more complicated and will need another ‘visual’ to explain it thoroughly.
Me: Look at your email for the most recent accomplishment from Alexis J. McBride. I am advanced!!!
He: WOW! An image of U. U are from the future.
Me: And I have your my side!! Helping me master the tools, giving me confidence and cheering me on. We are a Dream Team, we should order shirts, with our photo.
He: They will sell out within minutes.
Me: I know. I will now send you the photo we will use.
He had to wait until I found it and you will too. It was taken in January, a mere two weeks after I began to meet members of the enormous Amandani family which has, in many ways, changed my life. Stay tuned!!!
