Life Lesson: You are what you eat

by - January 12, 2020


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. 

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."

Source: Al-Bukhari

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1 comments

  1. 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!

    ReplyDelete