I feel like every time I post a discussion; I should do a mini biography of myself. You can go read my Cakeday post if you want to know a bit more about my present. If you could not already tell, I do a lot of self-reflection. It helps when you are stuck in your house all day.

By chance, my birthday falls around the same day as Mother's Day here in the United States. So, my birthday wish is for you to all remember your moms and maybe let her know you love her if she's still around. She could be right here in the forums.

Thirty-one years ago, I was born with a heart defect so I had a hole in my heart that would leak oxygenated blood. So, my heart had to pump extra hard to make up for that lack of oxygen. This led to me having a weaker immunity and having lower stamina than most people. My dad would joke that even though I was just a kid, I had the body of 70-year-old

My doctors would say I needed surgery to sew up my heart, but my family did not want to take the risk of the surgery failing. So, the natural approach was to strengthen my heart muscles through exercise so my heart muscles would close the hole on its own. And that is what I did. Exercise every day. I would run. I would jump. I would kick. I would punch. I would hold my breath. Anything to push my heart a little harder so I could be normal.

The problem was when you already have a small and weakened body, you tend to get sick a lot. I would often get asthma attacks in the middle of the night, spontaneously. I recall when I was seven, I would wake up feeling like there was water in my lungs. I would cough and cough, hoping it would clear itself. The more I panicked, the worse it got. Tears streamed down my face as I was choking and coughing, I sounded like seal, barking "oooi" "ooooi". That was the only sound I could make. My mom hearing my cries, rushed over to my side and rubbed my back. For some reason, that calmed me down and I could breathe a little. She has saved my life in numerous events like that. I had asthma attacks like this 2-3 times a year until I hit 13. I am sure I would not be alive here today without her. πŸ§‘πŸ’›πŸ’šπŸ’™

Three years ago, my mom was diagnosed with having multiple heart failures while at home. She only noticed a tightness in her chest. She was lucky to survive. Let this be a warning to you and your loved ones. Symptoms of heart attacks in women compared to men can be different. A men’s heart attack can be explained as a crushing weight on their chest while a women might have some chest pain described as different and subtler symptoms three to four weeks before they actually have the heart attack. We only found out after she had a chest x-ray when she seemed to have pneumonia-like symptoms. Sorry about the heavy topic. This happened on Mother’s Day weekend, so remember this stuff around my birthday. My dad lost his mom on his birthday, so I am hoping that is not going to be a pattern in the family.

Now for the giveaways. I thought I would theme it up off based on all the jobs my mom has done for me.

Keeping your kids out of danger:
Think of the Children – Level 2 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

Fine-tuning your kids motor skills:
Regular Human Basketball – Level 2 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

Loving your kid even when love is no more:
Love is Dead – Level 2 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

If your kids are allergic to fur, shield your kids from the Fluffy Horde:
Fluffy Horde – Level 2 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

When your kids get sick, you will need to diagnose them with the skill of Sherlock Holmes:
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes – Level 2 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

And finally, you can also become their hero/heroine:
88 Heroes Level 4 SgTools (0.25 Sent/Won Real CV)

Edit: Thank you all sooo much for reading my story <3 I really am glad so many people took the time to read all this. If you are going through something similar, please don't be afraid to reach out to me or someone close. I'm still semi-new to the whole care-taking thing, but I might be able to help. Most doctors I've met are truly depending on you to keep track of your parents. Being observant takes practice.

View attached image.
3 years ago*

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Sorry to hear all of that. Nevertheless happy birthday! Bad things may always happen, but don't let the thought spoil this special day for you

3 years ago
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Thank you :)

3 years ago
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I wish you and your mom the best on this special day! Thank you for the giveaways!

3 years ago
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Thank you! :)

3 years ago
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Moms are wonderful. I'm glad you have something special with yours.

Have a wonderful b-day and thank you for sharing your story, and celebrating it with us. Stay safe... and healthy! πŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸ₯³

3 years ago
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Thank you. I'm always glad to share my story. You stay safe as well :)

3 years ago
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πŸ’™

3 years ago
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Thank you <3

3 years ago
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Wishing you a happy safe birthday as well as many more good memories with your mother.

3 years ago
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Thank you - I'll certainly do my best to make more good memories with her. :)

3 years ago
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Happy birthday Alvin, and happy mother's day to all the mothers of Steamgifts!
Thanks for sharing your story. Best wishes to her as well as you. ^^

3 years ago
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Thank for the best wishes ^^. Appreciate you reading my story :)

3 years ago
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Happy birthday! Wishing the best for you and your mom.

3 years ago
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Appreciate it :)

3 years ago
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Wishing the both of you good health and brighter days ahead. Hope you enjoy your special day, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! πŸ’–

3 years ago
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Appreciate the wishes :)

3 years ago
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Sorry to hear that. Stay safe and stay healthy in these hard times.
I hope everything gets better.

3 years ago
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Thank you - at least my mom is with me :)

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Yep! Adversities cleared and we're stronger for it. Thanks! You stay strong as well!

3 years ago
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Is so nice to have someone with you. Fortunately, I have a good relationship with my parents and grandparents, and even though some of them are really far away and contacting some is nearly impossible, I had a lot of great moments with them that I'll never forget. I believe the distance is temporary though, so it's even better!
I wish the best for both of you. Stay strong and keep hugging your mom πŸ’™
And happy belated birthday Alvin!

3 years ago
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Thank you! :3

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Thank you - hope so! :)

3 years ago
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Glad to hear at the end you're all still here. It's a heartfelt story. Cherish all the time that you still have here on earth, every moment :) Nobody really knows if they have seconds left or years left, we humans sometimes take life for granted. Stay stave and I wish you many more healthy years ahead.
Happy birthday.

3 years ago
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Thank you ^^ life is certainly something we should appreciate :)

3 years ago
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Happy b'dah, Alvin!
Wishing you have many more Mother's day weekends together with your mom ^_^

3 years ago
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Thanks for the support Nas! ^^

3 years ago
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Thanks, Alvin. I can relate to the shared birthday part: I was born on my mum's birthday, which is also her dad's birthday. We usually celebrate it on Father's Day and fold in my uncle's (mum's brother's) birthday and my nephew's birthday, both of which fall a few days before ours. It doesn't feel much like my own special day but I enjoy spending time with my relatives. It's admirable how you've overcome your medical frailties and are now able to return the favour to your mother. I'm sure sometimes it feels like a burden but there will be plenty of people that would envy the time you have together, particularly when it is too late for them to do anything about it. Keep battling on.

  • Sal_Monella (Skull Society)
3 years ago
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Thanks for sharing your story as well Sal πŸ˜„. What you do for your handicapped friend is also very admirable. Appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to leave this message for me ^-^. I'll keep battling on.

3 years ago
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Happy Birthday! I wish for you and your mom to be safe and healthy!

3 years ago
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Thank you! :)

3 years ago
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Happy birthday, Alvin!

That was quite something to read. I hope your mom is doing well and will continue to do so for a long time to come!

3 years ago
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Appreciate you taking the time to read through it! I hope so as well!

3 years ago
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Alvin.
You are a true shining star.
I often think of your kindness, even through your adversity, and it encourages me to try to keep my romantic heart lest it turns to stone.
Happy birthday! πŸ’™

3 years ago
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Thank you very much for the kind words ^-^ Cheering you on to make that romantic connection. There are wonderful people out there πŸ’™

3 years ago
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Thank you πŸ™
Wishing you a romantic connection too, especially since you puts on shades got a hole in your heart YEEEAAAH.

3 years ago
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I sure do 🀣

3 years ago
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Happy belated? birthday! :D
That's a quite story you have there! I wish you both very strong heart and many many happy years to come! :)

3 years ago
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Actually you're right today is my birthday ^^ I figured I'd take the time to make this post on my day-off/mother's day rather than do it on a work-day :3. Thank you for reading and the kind words!

3 years ago
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Happy birthday and take care.

3 years ago
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Thanks for stopping by :)

3 years ago
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Happy Birthday. And yes cherish the days you have with your mom. Mine has been gone for a long time. Now I get to have fun with people by saying that I did not call my mom on Mother's day. When they tell me how bad I am, I tell them that i can't phone heaven. I am such an A**.

3 years ago
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Sorry to hear that. I will certainly cherish my time with her. The tables have turned, but that's the circle of life. Appreciate your share ^^

3 years ago
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Happy birthday! and good vibes to you.

Aaaawesome movie, btw

3 years ago
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Appreciate it. Good vibes to you as well :)

Yep, a very Aawwwesome and Whoooooleseome movie indeed. ^^

3 years ago
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Last weekend saw Mirai no mirai also from Hosoda. Awesome and wholesome too.

3 years ago
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Yeah his movies are definitely always great. I've been pretty behind on my movie watching, lately. Thanks for the heads-up. My gaming backlog is doing better, but my movie backlog needs some attention :3

3 years ago
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BTW giveaways end May 16 so feel free to enter until then.

3 years ago
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Thanks for the useful infos, my GF has hearth issues that I don't think too much about, usually. Hug!

3 years ago
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No problem. Glad I could bring some extra awareness. Thanks for reading and leaving a message ^^

3 years ago
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Happy Belated Birthday and Happy Mothers Day to all mothers whose special day should be every day, just like Valentine's Day.

My cousin was born on Mothers Day and my aunt always says it's the most beautiful gift a mother can get on Mothers Day so you did good ;)
Thanks for raising awareness about a real life issue that is largely unknown, as women do indeed experience heart issues very differently from men and most of what we know about heart failure is from tv, which never get it right.

Sending good vibes to your Mom

3 years ago
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You're absolutely right - every day should be special! I forgot to write that I was a great mother's day gift when I was born. Thank you for reading my mind ;)
Appreciate the good vibes and thank you for sharing your thoughts on this unknown issue.:)

3 years ago
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Bumpity Umpity

And Happy Birthday!

3 years ago
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Thanks ^^

3 years ago
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Closed 3 years ago by AlvinCanCabbage.