Month Of May Surprises

The month of May has been quite a hectic month so far for us. There were weddings, travels, unpleasant medical surprises both short term and long term, and to make it interesting some pleasant surprises as well.

The unpleasant surprises. We started the month by going to the East Coast of the peninsular for the wedding of my nephew, the eldest son of my youngest sister. The wedding, plans made weeks in advance, went on well except for a change of date for the solemnization ceremony where it was advanced a day ahead by the officer-in-charge that threw everyone’s schedule haywire. Despite that, all went well in the end, the ceremonies I mean. But quite a few things did not go right for many amongst us who went up to the East Coast for the ceremonies.

In recall, a few weeks prior to the wedding, the East Coast state had been in the news daily because of the poor health maintenance condition in the state. There had been a high incidence of typhoid and that there had even been a number of deaths as a result. Although our schedule were thrown out of sync to our original plans we still had some time to go around the city and the outskirts and true to boot, the cleanliness of the place is way below the norm and expectations. Drains were clogged, streets and pavement dirty with rubbish strewn and not properly collected. At rubbish dumps, I noticed that rubbish have been collected but the dump areas were in a mess and improperly maintained, some of these are in the central market, food handling centers and similar locations where there are throngs of public movements all over the city and sub-towns. In these locations there are stalls and shops selling food and I noticed that they were exposed to the elements, to the insects and flies, and other infection causing methods of handling. Cleanliness seems to be the last consideration. I see people patronizing these eating outlets without a care to the lack of cleanliness. I even read in the papers that the local authorities concerned admitted that they lack the ability to maintain health enforcement, for some reasons or other. All sorts of excuses were given for the lack of enforcement, all sorts of accusations were thrown at various quarters, but the facts and proofs are there, staring in everyone’s eyes. Efforts to improve were lacking and if there were any, they were very slow in improving. It appears that they were leaving it to fate to sort out their problem. Cleanliness is part of faith, it is said. The authorities, claiming to be staunch in their faith appears to be doing otherwise. A real letdown really.

Many of us who came to the city for the wedding became infected by this sickening condition. Friends and some locals say avoid drinking iced water. But mum drank only boiled water throughout her stay there and yet she was the worst hit. Although none of us were diagnosed as having contacted typhoid but many of us had very upset tummies that drained out our energies and made us very sick for a couple of days. My mother was even hospitalized for a few days as a result of being infected. No thanks to the inefficient local authorities managing cleanliness. All gratitude to the Almighty that this ordeal for my mother, my wife, family members and I were over in just a couple of days.

Another unpleasant surprise was the discovery that I have aneurysm. What’s that? My children asked. It is the ballooning up of a small section of the aorta supplying blood to my lower limbs just after the kidneys. It was indeed a surprise to me as I have had no symptoms and experienced nothing abnormal to date. The Vascular Surgeon who reviewed my case was very assuring. The condition can be very serious but it is not yet at a stage to trigger emergencies. Phew! that was a relief.

There is a need to monitor the aneurysm condition lest it develops into something critical. The worst that can happen is a rupture at the distended section. (There was a case quite recently of a local corporate figure who died while visiting Australia. He had aneurysm and died due to its rupture). I pray to the Almighty that this will not happen to me. (By coincidence my wife and I were due to leave for Australia in the evening of the appointed day with the Vascular Specialist!!). However, I know that praying is never enough. I will have to do something about it. Something positive. I have firstly to ensure that my blood pressure is within normal range or lower. My body weight has also got to be reduced and I have to watch my diet, cholesterol level, sugar level and many more other conditions common with advancing age. I will have to continue exercising and perhaps increase the efforts. I don’t drink liquor and I don’t smoke. I have for sometime now cut down in caffeine intake, sugary drinks and sweets although I indulge in that bowl of ice-cream or a slice of cake or chocolate, but only once in a rare while now. These I was told are the plus points. My paternal grandfather died at the age of 78 and my maternal grandfather at 80+. My mum, at 85 is still very much active. I told Ram that I aim, with the will of the Almighty, to at least meet these ages if not exceed them and she will have to help me along. I will have to review my lifestyle, think healthy, eat healthy and be as active as possible. I will not let this unpleasant surprise bring me down but I will face it with even greater will to survive.

MKI Ramblings Unlimited.
Petaling Jaya