Life Lesson: You are what you eat
We are merely on page 12 of 2020 yet I
had knocked out a few times already. It has been a tough term for me as I was
admitted last Monday and literally spent the whole week in the hospital. I
should have had warded longer but I had to sit for my final paper examination
on Friday. Thank God Dr Tee let me discharged earlier because I was still recovering
and I didn’t look fit enough to go home.
Being sick makes me realized that
health is indeed one of the greatest blessings in life that even money can’t buy.
I had been hospitalized due to severe rashes that turned out to be a bacterial
infection by then. My whole body was literally red and itchy. I wasn’t admitted
due to Influenza A as what some of my friends thought.
I couldn't sleep on the first night
because it was too uncomfortable and painful for me. I felt really sick inside
and shivering for no reasons because the skin couldn't do its job well. I only
managed to feel better after antibiotics injection was given to me. I had three
antibiotics injection in 6 hours, pretty much indicate how severe I was.
Redness on my body slowly fades
away with no steroids given, I felt less itchy and every hour seemed better and deep down
inside would love to get discharge as soon as possible because I had to prep
myself; mentally for the final examination.
I swear I was recovering a lot on the
next day till my body made me surprised with itchiness in the middle of the
night! Almost cried, because I knew I couldn't scratch as it would make it
worse. I had to press the nurse button call so many times and alas, even nurses
were helpless because meds given to me reached its daily maximum dosage.
You tell me how
vulnerable I was.
I ended up doze off because I was
exhausted of not being able to do anything to make myself feel comfy, or at
least able to sleep with less pain. I had no choice but to wait for 5
in the morning for my next antibiotics injection or else I might overdose which
obviously will lead to serious consequences.
The next day was the day I requested to
be discharged, but sadly I couldn’t because my condition was still severe
regardless of showing some improvements. Hence, the doctor stepped up her game
and prescribed me with higher dozed because initial treatments weren’t
responsive to my body.
That was when I broke down into tears
because I wanted to recover instantly but the situation didn’t let me
so. I started to overthink and couldn’t help myself but to feel so
negative and I hated myself at that time.
Why do I have to go
through this, I asked. To God.
Out of people, why it
has to be me? I asked again. To God.
I cried.
Then, my good friend replied to one of
my Instagram stories that sounded this way;
“You are doing great Sarah. Always
remember, Allah doesn’t burden a soul beyond that he/she can bear”
I needed that; I
swear. Perhaps it was the answers to the questions I had earlier.
Hope was all I ever wanted, I had
enough of people saying for me to get well quickly because deep down I knew I
won’t. Not anytime soon. Nevertheless, I am thankful that at least I am aware
people care about me and still significant to some people’s lives.
The tablets prescribed made me sleepy
most of the time hence making me sleep with notes on my hand. I would sleep two
hours after I had my pills so it took me extra time to actually finish studying
than I usually do.
I went through many blood tests
throughout being hospitalized for three nights because Dr suspected skin cancer
at first glance but Alhamdulillah the results concerning to any skin diseases;
SLE, Connective Tissue and Psoriasis were negative.
What a relief.
It could be worse but
it didn’t.
The last thing I ever imagined was
probably to suffer or dying from cancer and I wouldn’t lie from the fact that I
thought a lot of arwah Ella in the hospital.
I had good
news.
What was her feeling when the doctor broke
her the sad news? How did she able to react so calmly and stayed positive the
whole time. In all fairness, it’s been a year since she left us for good and I
believe she is now in a better place. I truly hope she knows that there was
never a day passed by I didn’t mention her in my prayers. Al-Fatihah.
My blood test was fine, my kidney was
good, thyroid was normal, the heart does it jobs well, and unfortunately my liver
didn’t look good as it should be.
No skin cancer, ok
then what? Liver cancer?
The exact expression
I had in my mind at that time.
Then, my dermatologist calmly explained
that I wasn’t allergically caused by food. Not even surprised because I
have never ever been allergic to any food, seafood or cats. I know my
body too well as I know what I eat, what I love and I don’t. So the rashes
couldn’t be for the reason I had some delicious sambal udang and sambal
sotong or even gulai ketam.
I would cry a river if that triggered
my rashes.
I happened to have excess (minor) fat
in my liver or better called by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD) I was told that it normally found in overweight people but I
am clearly not so doctor laughed as she said that. My ALT and AST ratio were
high and even on my last day, the eosinophils increased compared to the previous blood test taken.
As for my liver, my enzymes couldn’t
function well hence the rashes and itchiness. I was lucky because things could
be worse if I didn’t get my skin irritations and infections last week. I
wouldn’t know that my liver isn’t doing well. As doctor was explaining to my
mum and I, she did ask, have I been experiencing any weight loss in these
few months?
I said, yes but I thought it was normal
because I didn’t eat that much since I love fasting and I usually climbed
stairs to classes that are at level 10 or 12 whenever I was late. (blame those slow lifts at FSK6)
She said my body was already trying to
say something but I assumed it was usual, then she explained; it doesn’t make
sense for my weight falls to 42kg in a few weeks as I was always in the range
of 45-46kg.
Since I am not allergic to food,
perhaps it could be caused by Boba drinks, Starbucks, Cheesecakes,
and everything that wasn’t healthy. I couldn’t lie that maybe I
had too much Xing Fu Tang, Tealive and The Alley. You don’t know how many times
my dad has had warned us all not to buy boba yet I still did because I couldn’t
resist sebab sedap sangat.
But I have stopped from all these hypes
drinks last month but I guess I am already too late lol.
Padan muka. Sudah
terhantuk baru tengadah.
As for now, I am waiting for other
blood tests results and I still have to go for check-ups. I would safely say I
am recovering pretty well Alhamdulillah. My diet is 360 different nowadays as I
am eating vegetables and fish in my daily dishes, more fruits and my mum is
making me eat garlic every morning since I need to increase my immune system, hope it
works in shaa Allah.
One for the memories.
I want to focus on my health so that my
liver can function the way it was supposed to be again so please don’t ask me
out at least for now. :p Is there even anyone wants to ask me out though.
I have learned that even 8 glasses
of plain water intake I drink everyday, yet not an assurance that I am good to go. I still
need to control my fats intake even though I am normal because if I hadn’t been
warded, I wouldn’t know my internal organ isn’t working fine. After what had
happened, I seriously hope that I would able to reach my optimum weight which
is 45kg. Moderation is what we should practice.
All these viral
drinks and food are indeed delicious but they would affect us some ways
silently.
Dr Tee even mentioned that one of the
factors that I had NAFLD due to overly stressed that certain
hormones couldn’t work properly hence the skin inflammation. She stressed out
that I should take things to go the way it is, and shouldn’t think too
much on something in the past or worrying about what the future holds for me.
She reads my mind, and I wouldn’t deny the fact that I get stressed way too
easily,
even on tiny little things.
even on tiny little things.
Let go and let God, she said.
I suddenly remember what I wrote on my
the previous post, so I guess I didn’t walk the talk.
I honestly had no idea how stress could be
dangerous to one’s body. I don’t even need to wait for diabetes to strike, even
stress itself managed to make me warded. Crazy isn’t? And so, I hope by reading
my humble story, I am able to instil a little consciousness to everyone not to
overthink and worrying so much. We do have problems, but that doesn’t mean our
bodies should be punished by skipping meals and sleep late for instance. I am
certain sabr, relax and calm are the keys to coping with whatever challenges we
are facing in lives.
I was blessed to be attended by Dr Tee,
she was recommended by one of my dad’s close friend. She made sure I had the
best treatment in Columbia. When I first met her, she suggested for me to a
government hospital since the equipment there was perfect enough for my case
but we didn’t and that’s because of my dad wanted me to be treated by her.
Even the nurses there said Dr Tee is a
passionate specialist, so her patients are definitely in good hands. I thank
God for every nurse who had helped me a lot throughout my days in Columbia,
making sure I had my medicines on time without fail, giving me support to study
and revising for FIN542, and assisted me patiently. I guess even thank you
wouldn’t be sufficed.
How my bed looks like for 4 days.
The phrase “you are what you
eat” is literally true and relatable with what I am going through
at the moment. Everything starts from the inside, if you want to have healthy
skin then starts eating something nutrients, and less oily food.
What is the purpose of living
luxuriously if we are bound to consume bitter medicines for life and having
hospital as your second home? We often forget that our health; physically and
mentally- is the most significant thing and we should spend a lot of time
taking care of it so that we can live a healthy and longer life.
Thus, good health is indeed one of the
greatest blessings of life and we shouldn’t overlook this beautiful blessing.
One should cherish it now and then by taking special care of it.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and
free time for doing good."
1 comments
I hope you are recovering well! By the way, I enjoy reading your posts. You got a new follower! Hope to hear from you soon!
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