Beautiful Painting in Premier Wealth Centre, KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital

I took a day off on 20th October 2014 to screen my health. It was a medical benefit provided by IJM to all staff to enjoy with at certain limits depending on their grades. I am entitled for RM950 compensation for every 2 years, hence I chose a RM650 Women Wellness Package offered by KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital. It was my second time there for the same purpose, the first time was in 2011. The doctor has advised about my status as thalassemia minor when I had my first screening test. I must have inherited it from my late mother, I believe so though I'm not sure. Medically, thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. This disease is inherited, meaning at least one of the parents must be a carrier to the disease, caused by either a genetic mutation, or a deletion of certain key genes.

Red ambiance to receive visitor 

Premier Wealth Centre is in the 3rd floor, on your left after the lift. As soon as you entered, you shall immediately see the above photo view. Red decor with a red painting. There's few painting inside the clinic, where the beautiful staffs informed was purchased by their previous director, who apparently must be very fond with paintings. I mean, everybody are attracted to beautiful things, beautiful girls, beautiful flowers as well as beautiful hearts.

KPJ Kajang reception/main lobby area

While being examined by a friendly senior nurses, she shared about the problems facing by  her cousin sister, a thalassemia minor couples (means both are carrier). Usually thalassemia minor couple are not encouraged to marry. In other words, if only one of the parents is a carrier for thalassemia (minor or major), a children may develop a form of disease called thalassemia minor, and stays a disease carrier, like myself. But if both of the parents are carriers of thalassemia, children will have a 25% chance of inheriting a more serious form of the disease. Thalassemia is most common in people from Southeast and Central Asia, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India and North Africa. There's a new discoveries in a medical world that the thalassemia couples could conceived via IVC where the doctor will monitor the pregnancy. The doctor may give a baby a blood transfusion, called as "Ïn utero blood transfusion" before birth to treat alpha thalassemia major. Chances for married couple to have babies are, 1st baby will turn as Major, 2nd will be normal, 3rd is minor.

The nurses at Premier Wealth Centre

The tests that are included in RM650 women wellness package are, 1) Physical Examination by Wellness doctor (Blood Pressure, Vision test, Ear test, Body Mass Index (BMI) test, Chest X-Ray and ECG), 2) Executive health profile (Rheumatoid Arthritis factor, Kidney function test, Liver function test, Fasting serum lipid, AIDS (HIV) screen, Hepatitis B screen, Hepatitis A IgC, Full Blood count, Diabetec screen, Thyroid screen, Syphilis screen, Blood group and Urine test), 3) Pap Smear 4) Ultrasound Upper Abdomen & Pelvis 5) 5 types female cancer marker screening 6) Mammogram and breast Ultrasound 7) Diet consulting. Please take note that you are required to fast at least 10 hours before the screening, strictly no food except sip of plain water is allowed.

This are the laboratory to place your urine and draw a blood for test

I obtained my result only a week later. Nothing major that need to be worry at. Wellness doctor has advised for me to exercise and watch over my diet as the cholesterol reading is high, 6.1. No medication was given maybe due to an existence of a good cholesterol, HDL after my disciplinary daily consumption of fish oil supplement. During ultra sound abdomen, doctor has spotted uterine fibroid about 2.9mm existed and he jokingly answered me that I should removed the fibroid when it grew as big as a coconut. A tiny spot of cancer found, majority due to the fibroid but most importantly is I'm clear of breast cancer as certified in mammogram test as well as breast ultrasound. Pap Smear result was taken as normal. What a relief as I have so much silly doubts few months ago that I might have. My sleep will be peaceful in future.

Remaining screening test

Other than that, it was shown on a blood test of a low Hepatitis antibodies, due to aging factor. Hence, I have taken Hepatitis B injection, 1st dose in a different clinic a week later. Hepatitis B second injection will be done a month after the first and the last would be 4 months after the second. My blood also has a low Hb 2 due to thalassemia trait.

Painting purchased by previous director of PWC

The final diagnosis are 2, small uterine fibroid and hyperlipideamia, which I have to be careful at. I will have to do an abdomen ultrasound in the next 6 months to monitor the fibroid growth. Secondly, I have to really look after the hyperlipideamia if I do not want to die of artery blocks, hence die of a heart attack. By the way, hyperlipideamia is the scientific form for fats in the blood as I like to eat unhealthy food. At proper levels, lipids perform important functions in my body, but as they are excess (6.1), it can cause me health problems if I did not carefully watch over my diet and exercises. The term hyperlipideamia means high lipid levels or in other words that I have high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. 

A selfie with the painting

From now on, I have to stay healthy by making changes in my diet and exercise habits called therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC). TLC can lower total cholesterol by 10 to 20 percent in some people. More commonly, however, people with hyperlipidemia experience a 2 to 6 percent reduction from TLC. I will change my diet by:-

• Reducing my saturated fat intake to 7 percent of my daily calories;
• Reducing my total fat intake to 25 to 35 percent of my daily calories;
• Limiting my dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg per day;
• Eating 20 to 30 g a day of soluble fiber, which is found in oats, peas, beans, and certain fruits; and
• Increasing my intake of plant stanols or sterols, substances found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn and rice, to 2 to 3 g daily

Other foods that can help control cholesterol include cold-water fish, such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon. These fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that may lower triglycerides. Soybeans found in tofu, soy nuts and many meat substitutes contain a powerful antioxidant that can lower LDL. A supplement known as psyllium can help to increase soluble fiber intake. Made from seed grain husks, psyllium helps absorb water and cholesterol from intestines and may improve the ratio of HDL to LDL.

The MRT Project right in front of KPJ, it says "today's difficulties for future's benefit

Excess weight can decrease HDL cholesterol, whilst losing excess weight can lower LDL levels. One consideration, though, is body shape. If a person can carry extra weight around the middle of their body, they have a greater chance of heart disease than if their weight clusters around your hips, thighs, and bottom. Exercise makes up another component of TLC. A physician will recommend an exercise program, such as walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. Exercise can help you lose or maintain weight, relieve stress, raise HDL, and lower triglycerides and LDL. In other words, its good to maintain a healthy diet as 1 grew old like in my case.