Something about Kai's mum

Have you tried scorpion and Centipede soup? I have, and I eat it every day, three times a day.


Scorpion and Centipede are the two extreme ingredients of the Traditional Chinese Medicine I am taking. The medicine consists of several kinds of herbs, insects and even some toxic ingredients. Chinese medicine believe in “using poision to cure poision”, so my doctor used some strong ingredients to cure the poision in my body. The medicine is prepared by first soaking the ingredients in a clay pot for half an hour then boiling them for another half an hour then straining the liquid and drinking like tea. The taste of the medicine is very unpleasant. I had to pinch my nose to block the smell of the medicine and drink it fast. I am also taking western medicine to prevent the progress of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and kill pain. As I am taking Chinese medicine and western medicine at the same time, so I can’t really tell which one is effective, probably both.

For the disease I have, keeping active is even more important than medicine. I enrolled for a yoga centre near my home several weeks after I came to China and go there every day. Some of the yoga teachers are directly from India, and they are really professional, caring and helpful. I mainly do Hatha Yoga and some yoga streches under the instruction of the teachers. The poses were difficult for me at the beginning. Now I still can’t do some of the poses due to my stiff spine, but each time I can find improvements, each time I can do two or three poses a little bit better. These improvements build up a better me. My back is much straighter, and the natrual curve of my back is slowly reappearing. I can walk quite fast now, and my body is stronger and more energetic. I feel very happy about the change, and is determined to make Yoga an important part of my life.

I was quite frustrated about my health condition, but now, I am taking good care of it. Although the doctor said, my back can’t go back to normal, but at least, I am satisfied with my current health condition, and I know it will even get better with time if I carry on medicine and yoga.

Kai will be affected by the attitude I have about life. I am hoping he sees me as a strong mum.