Its been a while, everyone. I am currently happily doing my elective posting in Hospital S. (anonymous :p ). Beneath layers of stubborn lazyness and procrastinations (in revising), its actually nice experience. But thats another story. Lets go to the "meat" of this post. I have been away from medicine posting for about a semester. In this elective posting, Im back doing medicine. I seen a lot of chronically ill patient, and their loved ones also ( or more accurately, ones who love them.) in these few days.
Such chronic (long term) and severe illnesses, are such a toll (physically and mentally) not just to the patient but to their relatives. Imagine being bed bound, with oxygen mask on... seeing your wife crying by the bedside, but you have no strength even to sip a few drops of drinks, no mention to pat her back and say its all right (sometimes, its really NOT ALLRIGHT). Its not only your heart that is broken (literally or figuratively), but their hearts too.
I saw briefly today a doctor telling a wife about her husband's bad prognosis (outlook). There is not much that can be done, because the husband's condition is so bad. I was standing so far away so I cannot really see her facial expression. But I tried to appreciate whats running through her heads and whats swelling in her heart. I don't suppose its a very pleasant feeling.
The thing about getting sick or ill is, its true that, when it comes, you have to face it. And it happens. It may happen to you or just anyone. It may just be your bad luck, its in your gene, you may get into an accident... or be a bit clumsy.... However, be reminded that a huge chunk of maladies actually is preventable by simple gestures of everyday life.
Remember the TV commercial about the hazards of smoking? (Brilliant!!!! I hope it touch some hearts...)
"Don't break my heart.", in the end...thats what Im talking about.
Change your lifestyle :) . Bit by bit each day. make it a habit. Do it for the one you love and loving you. (Sorry and beware, Im in my "kempen kesihatan preaching mode".) For Muslims, even in Islam, the concept of "Prevention is better than cure" is evident, eg. Not doing things that predispose to adultery... (just see how messy the social problem it cause...)
How To Spare Your Loved Ones Heartaches (Health Edition)
- Quit, reduce or never start smoking. Yes, it may lead to future heartaches... if the heartaches has not started yet; because yes... it might be annoying to family members/friends (maybe they don't say it or just keep it in..). Be kind. Be considerate.
- Reduce sugar and salt in diet.
- Exercise! Do small things first like parking a bit far and walk a lot, using stairs instead of elevators... then build things up. Remember to be istiqamah (to persevere). And keep in mind to have "Today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today." at the very least. :) Losing weight appropriately seriously can do wonders to reduce existing/future problems. (You look hotter too, haha... but please have healthy body image, ok. No need to be stick figure also.)
- Eat good food. In Islam," Halalan Toyyiba" (Halal and Good for you)
- Avoid accidents. This include having safe home/transport conditions, to drive safely, to wear protectives when necessary and stuff like that.
- For Muslims please, no alcohol. But for those who take them, just remember that taking too much is not good. Love your liver!!!
- Take good and enough rest. :)
I have some personal view that, when I am not taking care of myself or inflict something harmful to self, eg: taking too much salt when I know it can give me hypertension or electrolyte imbalance (over2 plak) and further medical problems... its just like choosing a slow route to suicide. Slow... but still stupid and suicidal. And to do harm to self when you know it, I don't think is a virtue of a good Muslim.
So... remember that loving yourself is a part of loving the ones you love. Don't waste your years of affection and sacrifice, but still (in-a-way-uselessly-)sacrificing yourself in the end, when its preventable altogether.
Love,
Munirah
