Monday 3 July 2017

Hari Raya Flu


Hey there! I'm back. But only for today. While you were having a great time with family and friends, I came down with the flu, right smack on the first day of Hari Raya.

That Friday before Hari Raya, I was feeling OK. No indication at all that I was going to be ill. I made plans to do some major housekeeping and cooking during the long weekend.

During dinner that evening, I felt sleepy. Very sleepy. So when I got home, after putting away my groceries, I immediately took a shower and went straight to bed.

The next morning, WHAM!! I woke up with a fever and headache. I was so, so tired that I stayed in bed until 8:30am, which is very unlike me.

I don't do lazing in bed during weekends or holidays. I am the sort of person who likes to spring into action the moment I wake up. Lazing in bed is incredibly boring to me. I like to get up and do something.

When I summoned whatever energy I had to get out of bed, I felt dizzy the moment I stood up. So I had to sit back down and give myself time to adjust before getting up again.

Walking to the bathroom was a monumental effort. This felt familiar. That's when I realized that this was exactly how I felt when I had dengue

Bah! Why does this have to happen to me? I had looked forwards to the long weekend and here I am, incapacitated. After seeing my partner off, I went back upstairs to lie down. 

That was when memories came flooding back. I recalled the time at the emergency room 3 years ago. I was lying on the gurney and hooked up to an IV while my partner sorted my admission. I was utterly miserable. Why? Why me?

Then I heard a soft groaning coming from my left. It was a young lady, though I could not see her as we were separated by a curtain. She was clearly in pain.

When the attending doctor came to examine her, I could not help overhearing the conversation. Apparently, this young lady had a colonoscopy done (at another medical center) due to some gastrointestinal issues. After the procedure, she experienced pelvic pain. Even with medication, it did not help.

"I feel as if my insides are torn apart". That was how she described it. And I was like, whoa! That has got to be extremely painful. The good doctor, who was gentle and soft spoken, recommended an STD test.

This was met with protest by the young lady who spoke up that she was a virgin. A STD test would not be relevant on someone who had not had exposure and the doctor relented.

At that moment, I noted that my bladder was full and I had to pee. Very badly. Bah! So  waited for someone who could help me and I stopped a nurse who was passing by. She helped transfer my IV to a portable stand and directed me to the loo.

As I was making my way to the toilet, I heard someone wretching. Huwek! Huwek! Gosh, that was awful. Then I saw three beds and the lady in the middle was sitting up with a plastic tub between her knees. She was throwing up. Poor thing.

After my visit to the toilet, I got back to the gurney and was admitted shortly after. What I witnessed told me that those two ladies had it a lot worse than me. I was not in any pain, just some discomfort and I should not complain. 

Coming out of my reverie, this flu can't be as bad as dengue. I just had to sit it out. The overwhelming fatigue was crippling and I spent most of my day flat on my back. 


I was not tempted, not even by these.
My partner texted me that we should eat dinner at Chillis (to save me from cooking) but I told him no. I had no energy and no appetite. Besides, I believe in containment. When you have the flu, do not go to public places. Don't visit anyone. Do everyone a favor and don't spread the virus. 

My first proper meal in days. Yes, that green glob is half an avocado.
It was only on the third day that I felt clear headed, though the fatigue was still there. Even a minor task like washing my plate and mug had me taking a break to ease off the tiredness.

I am recovering, slow and steady. I still feel tired and I'll be back again once I feel better. Till then, take good care of yourselves!


Lunch last Friday. Testament to the fact that I am OK because my appetite is back hee..hee...

42 comments:

  1. Oh dear!!! No wonder you were MIA for so long that I was wondering if you're ever coming back. Thought you had gone back to the East Coast for a long break.

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    1. Oh no, gotten miserably sick. Still not quite 100% OK.

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  2. Dear PH, I also thought you went for holiday, I just "followed" the crowd wishing you Happy Holidays, never knowing you were lying on the bed, feeling unwell. Good to hear you are now "spring-up" again and back to normal! Take care, eat well... :)

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    1. How I wish hah..hah.. I am still not fully recovered. My head still feels weird...

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  3. mushroom tu stir fry je ya PH? looks yummy and healthy

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    1. Ya, Raihanah. Stir fry dengan olive oil and garlic.

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  4. Hi Phong Hong, take care and get well soon.

    Best regards,
    Amelia

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  5. Aiyor! So kesian la sakit tenat. I thought you had a whirlwind romance and went to lie on the hammock at Mauritius while the dolphins danced in the ocean to entertain you. Too bad, you were sick. I hate to be sick esp with flu which would wreck my mood like sick dog for days. Now that you are recovered, please spring back to your mighty blog actions.

    #PHsickDog #PHkuatHarimau #GodBlessPH

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    1. hah..hah... this flu is very bad. I still don't feel well. But hope to recover fully soon.

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  6. Take care...

    At first i thought you going on a holiday...

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  7. Take care PH!

    Get well soon.

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  8. Take good care and regain all your energy. The avocado on your plate is calling me. I have been eating avocado just as it is with bread these few days.

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  9. Your story about the young lady is so interesting. I am so curious to know what is causing her so much pain. Was it caused by the colonscopy?

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    1. I really don't know. I reckon it could have been an infection. Poor thing. She would have recovered by now.

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  10. That was really bad way to spend a long holiday but am glad that you are recovering now. Rest well and take care.

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    1. It was awful, so miserable. Thanks for your wishes.

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  11. Oh dear, I fell sick before Ramadan and you, after Ramadan. I know the feeling, just when you're looking forward to a long break, you had to get sick and can't enjoy the holidays...it sucks! Anyway, glad to hear you're on the road to recovery. Take a good rest and come back strong! ;)

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    1. Thanks, Kris. The virus is still messing with my head but I am getting better. Hope to come back full force next week.

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  12. I hate to be sick, as can only rest and wait to get well, so boring and sick is suffer, speedy recovery to you

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    1. Me too, it is so awful especially over the holidays :(

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  13. I hope you feel better soon.
    I love that you are so considerate! Not going to public places to save others from getting sick too. I wish my students would do the same sometimes :p

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    1. Thanks! I guess your students can't afford to miss classes :)

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  14. Speedy recovery Phong Hong!

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  15. Siaannya u LL. Get well soon ye. Teruk rupanya keadaan kita bila kena demam denggi ek.

    Tapi I dah tak risau sangat lah bila tengok ada gambo nasi goreng kat bawah tu hihi...


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    1. hah..hah... kalau dah berselera makan tu kira dah sembuh, kan Hainom? Takde chance nak kurus, LL ni.

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  16. Hope you are ok already.
    My Toby was down with runny rose 2 days ago, been feeding him steam onion juice and chinese medicine powder, hopefully the flu bugs go away soon!
    Not good being sick!

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    1. I am OK now, thanks Hayley. Hope Toby boy gets well soon!

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  17. Oh dear, hope you are fully recover now and appetite comes back as usual!

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    1. I am much better now and can eat hee..hee... Thanks!

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  18. Oh dear! I hope you have recovered by now! Take care!

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  19. Hi Phong Hong,
    Fully recovered now? Must take care hor.

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  20. So glad to know that you are back to normal. Welcome back! We were all thinking you were on holiday. Don't over work yourself, you must have been tired out. Have a beautiful day!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! It's great to feel well again!

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  21. Hi PH, hope you fully recover now.
    Then the whole week you don't go anywhere? Kesian you.
    Dah lama sihat, then of course lah diuji dgn sakit.

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    1. Thanks, ticer Azimah. I am fully recovered, tapi sakit tulang belakang plak. Haiz, banyak ujian ni...

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