The pathetic sum of my vacation thus far:

• Tissues: On box number 3 currently.
• Pills: A great variety. Have had Ponstan for fever, Panadol extra, some basic flu-related ones and the mandatory sore throat lozenges.
• Thermometer: A useless one that keeps pointing out I have hypothermia when I don’t.
• Sleep: I have forgotten state of wakefulness.
• Tea: I sleep too much to drink it.
• Food: What is food again?
• Dreary English weather: Non-existent. Like a bad joke, it’s sunny every goddamn day.
• Farnham: I know the way to Sainsbury’s, but otherwise since I’m home all day I might as well be anywhere.
• Beads: 0

A visit to the doctor today is inevitable. Would you believe that I’m actually looking forward to that?

This is not directly about money but in the long run, this will affect your capacity to earn a living.

A recent TV commercial has caught my eye. The TVC of Unilab encourages consumers to ask important questions when it comes to buying vitamins and medicines. Here’s the TVC:

Safe ba yan? obviously refers to the safety of the drug or vitamins. There are so many drugs in the market, some are from backyard manufacturers, and we need to ensure that the medicines we’re taking are safe.

Affordable ba yan? Most mommies hold the purse. They want to get the best value for their money. Prices of Unilab products are very affordable, many of them a fraction of the cost of multinational counterparts. A 500-mg tablet of Ponstan (mefenamic acid), a product of Pfizer, cost P21.82. Unilab’s counterpart, Dolfenal, us just P18.30 for a 500-mg tablet. Almost 17 percent difference!

Subok na ba yan? Unilab has always been proud of the many studies conducted for the safety and efficacy of its products. This is the reason why I don’t take drugs or vitamins from the US (like pasalubongs of relatives). Drugs manufactured by US pharma companies are often suited for the American people. Filipinos have different needs. With Unilab, I am assured that it has conducted studies to ensure that the drugs are fit for the Filipinos.

Unilab ba yan? This should be the buzzword for all Filipinos. Filipinos should make it a point to ask who the manufacture of a product is, whether it’s a drug, shoes, clothes, etc. The reputation of the manufacturer guarantees consumers that they will get the best and highest quality. By asking “Unilab ba yan?” we are assured that we are getting only the best.

Many probably don’t realize it but Unilab has been part of the lives of millions of Filipino families for so many decades now. I myself am an Enervon kid, starting with Enervon Syrup when I was in elementary years. I remember that Enervon Syrup was a regular major sponsor of Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines! And now that I’m all grown-up, I still take Enervon (this time, the tablet).

Biogesic is another classic Unilab product. It has almost become a generic name for headache medicines, just like we think of Colgate when we say toothpaste. I don’t remember a time in my life when my family used another headache medicine. Basta sakit ng ulo, it’s always Biogesic.

There are so many Unilab medicines that have made a difference in our lives–Revicon, Allerin, Neo-Aspilet (which is now renamed Neo-Kiddielets), pH Care, Neozep, Decolgen, Medicol, Myra E, etc. Just imagine the number of people whose lives were significantly improved because of Unilab products.

It’s easy to take our health for granted. Just like anybody else, we think we’re invincible until we get sick. But it’s important to take care of our health and the health of our family. Like I said, our health affects our capacity to earn a living, Without a good health, there will also be no good health.

Despite of my aching teeth and bleeding gums, I went to Kalibo with Hubby to meet his parents and relatives.  I didn’t want to stay alone in the apartment because no one will take care of me there.

A couple of hours before my first teeth implant experience, Hubby and I were already in the bus bound to Kalibo.  After finishing a cup of noodles that Hubby bought from a nearby store in the terminal, I took 1 tablet of 500mg Ponstan to help ease away the pain in my mouth.

During the 4-hour travel, I had to endure the searing pain from my mouth to my head.  It was something tolerable but still very inconvenient on my part.  Will I ever enjoy the trip?

At long last we reached Kalibo.  After checking in La Esperanza, Hubby and I rode on a tricycle bound to Tinigaw.  When we reached their place, Ma’am Bebot, Hubby’s mother prepared the table for us.  The food was so delicious that I forgot everything about my sore mouth and bleeding gums.

Hubby's mother, Mrs. Bebot Magallanes

That night we had tiil sang baboy with mungbeans and cabbage.  It was so delicious that I almost forgot my newly implanted teeth.  I’ve had 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…I can’t remember how many plates of rice I had that night.  Too bad I wasn’t able to take a picture of it.

Sunday morning when Ma’am Bebot texted us that lunch was already prepared.  Kainan na naman….

The gabi cooked in ‘gata’ with bagungon (yam cooked in coconut milk with shell) was so tasty!  It melted in my mouth…not in my hand…hahahaha!  Ma’am Bebot must have sensed that I liked it so much that she even let Hubby and I brought some on our way back to Iloilo.

Now here comes the sosy menu – the mouth-watering sweet and sour fish.  I gave this menu two thumbs up!  Suuuuuuuuuuuper namit!  Swak sa panlasa! The fish was perhaps fried first then cooked along with the sweet and sour sauce.  Added to this already-perfect combination are the healthy carrots that even made everything special.  How come restaurants here in Iloilo City don’t cook sweet and sour fish this way?

There’s this restaurant in Kalibo commonly called by people as Mary’s.  The restaurant is known for their Lomi.  You can buy Lomi in half, quarter, or in whole.  The lomi noodles are cooked al dente and mixed in a delicious thick soup mixed with yummy meatballs.  Bits of vegetables are then added to make everything healthier than ever.

Now here comes the most interesting menu – the grilled LIVER.  Wahahahahaha!  Thought it’s my favorite because I’m from Capiz huh?!  But no NEVER…as in NEVAH!  But the grilled liver was so tempting that I couldn’t help but taste it.  I got one strip, put it in my mouth, and whoa!  Unlike other liver-based menu that I’ve tasted, this one is completely free of a malangsa after-taste.  Super!

And who’s the COOK behind all these super duper namit menus?  Tantararaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….Mr. Magallanes!!!!

Mind you, Daddy is not only a superb COOK but also an amazing dancer.  No wonder Krista is a well-known dance sports icon in their place.

father-daughter tandem

No wonder Hubby and his siblings, Krista and Psyche, all have clear skin.  They are lucky to have their parents.  Sometimes I envy Hubby…He has a caring mother and a very understanding father.  Wish I also had this kind of parents…

Krista

Psyche

Anyway, before I go melodramatic, here comes the most sudden and super kakaba kaba scene.  Renz pulled me over and without prior notice, he introduced me to his grandfater.  Hmmm…Ummmm…Lo…oh my…speechless and beauty ko…Right in front of me is Hubby’s beloved lolo.  This is more scary and more frightening than meeting Ma’am Bebot and Papa ni Hubby.  But anyway, the show must go on….After telling me to call him Lolo someone just took a picture of the two of us.

Jacqui meets Lolo

Hala ka ‘lo dakup ka…may beer sa tupad mo…

I really had a great time in Hubby’s place.  Nice place, cool people, delicious food…Thank you very much to everybody.  Sa uulitin…

People always said that those with ghout are the rich and famous.

I was first attacked by ghout while working with Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.  I remembered one day after coming back from our normal ceramah programme when suddenly my right ankle felt hot and souring.  Someone which I cant remembered tried to massage it and of course it hurts me too much.

After sometime, I realise it was ghout and I inherited it from my father and he got it from my grandmother.  Well, it is a family tradition after all – a gifted tradition by ALlah. 

Previously, when ghout attacked me – I will take ponstan – a pair of blue and white pill (tablet).  It cure you after 3 – 4 hours.  When I was in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I took ponstan.  For your info. medicines are cheap in Pakistan – ALlah bless Pakistan.  I remembered one of my journey to the hilly Azzad Kashmir, a day before I had ghout (in Pakistan you cant escape taking dhal, mutton and meat), what I did?  I took 4 tablets of ponstan and drink a lot of water – plain water and ALhamdulillah in the morning when I woke up – I’m able to walk as usuall.

In my latest trip to Kashmir during 2005 earthquake, towards the ends of my working trip, I was again attacked by ghout – Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir was laughing at me as he keep mentioning that I’m young and yet have ghout… well…

Lately, a friend of my age who also had ghout though his waist and body is less from me by 2 times introduced me with another reliable medication for ghout – he introduced indocit to me.  Indocit is superb – it cure your ghout faster than ponstan.  Once, I felt that my ankle start to pain, I took indocit immediately and it reduce the pain much faster than I expected.

However, my best advise is to control your food consumption and reduce your weight – ideal weight is the best treatment for ghout.  Yesterday, after 10 am, I was again attacked by ghout the latest after almost 6 months without ghout – and my indocit had finished – and the nearest pharmacy has closed.  My only resort is to drink as many as possible plain water, and that what I did.  Today, in the morning – I’m able to walk and run again as usuall.  Drink a lot of water but you must urinate it as much as possible to because the acid is going out with your urine.

To safe you from ghout – dont take plenty of nuts – peanut, soya, dhal etc, do not take a lot of meat, mutton, and sour food or drinks.  Take more on green vegetables and soup.  Adios.

Shahrul Peshawar,  Kg. Baru

further reading:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout

Ada lagu ndang-ndut yang dinyanyikan mendayu-dayu, katanya lebih baik sakit gigi daripada sakit hati. Dulu saya pikir ini hanyalah bunga kata-kata yang tidak berarti apapun selain sekedar agar lagunya laku dijual. Dalam hati saya nggrundel, kayak yang kehabisan kata-kata puitis saja. Dulu ada teman sekost yang kalau sakit gigi matanya merah dan jadi sensitif mudah marah. Ada yang salah sedikit saja langsung methentheng (naik darah). Dalam hati saya pun meremehkan, sakit gigi saja kayak korban banjir sedang menunggu bantuan yang tak kunjung tiba lalu dicabuti bulu hidungnya.

Sampai beberapa malam yang lalu, tiba-tiba gigi saya terasa cekut-cekut. Tan soyo dalu tan soyo cuekot-cuekot (semakin malam semakin menjadi-jadi). Maksud hati hendak pergi tidur agak sore, apa daya jam 10 masih mendengar lonceng jam. Jam 11, 12, sampai jam 1, 2 lalu 3 pun bunyi tanda waktu masih terdengar nyaring di telinga. Selama itu pula tidur berganti-ganti posisi tidak pernah pas. Di atas tempat tidur terlentang, tengkurap, serong ke kiri dan ke kanan, duduk, berdiri, bahkan dipakai jalan-jalan pun gigi kanan terasa semakin cuekot-cuekot menusuk keatas ke bagian kepala sebelah kanan. Kemudian pindah tidur ke karpet di lantai ruang tengah, masih juga tidak menemukan posisi yang pas.

Akhirnya ketemu posisi yang paling mendekati enak adalah menungging sambil mengerang ah..uh..ah..uh, karena kepala sebelah kanan seperti mau meledak. Kedengarannya saja ah..uh..ah..uh.., tapi sungguh ini mengerang yang paling tidak enak. Enggak ketulungan sakitnya. Tanpa terasa air mata pun keluar, sangking suuuakitnya. Saya tidak sedang mendramatisir kalau saya katakan bunyi tanda waktu seperti lonceng kematian, apakah saya masih bisa bertahan melewati malam panjang dengan menanggung rasa sakit yang sangat luar biasa itu hingga esok hari. Tanda waktu jam 4 pun akhirnya tidak kedengaran lagi. Bukan karena rasa sakitnya mereda melainkan karena sangking ngantuknya hingga tertidur dalam posisi nungging.

Bak sebuah pentas seni, sebuah resital tari tanpa musik, berlangsung non-stop selama beberapa jam, di kegelapan malam saat anggota keluarga yang lain tertidur lelap. Tahu saya mengeluh sakit gigi, istri saya menyarankan untuk meminum tablet ponstan penghilang rasa sakit yang kebetulan masih ada tersisa. Nasehat itupun saya turuti. Tapi nampaknya tidak membawa hasil dan gigi yang cekut-cekut tak kunjung mereda. Istri saya juga menyarankan untuk berkumur-kumur dengan air hangat dicampur garam. Nasehat yang ini tidak saya penuhi. Bukan karena tidak percaya, melainkan karena saya sudah tidak sanggup lagi mengerjakan pekerjaan lain selain gulung koming, mlungker-mlungker, menahan rasa sakit. Malah jadi kepingin marah saja, bukannya membantu membuatkannya malah perintah-perintah di saat rasa sakit sedang memuncak.

Itulah pengalaman pertama saya mengalami sakit gigi. Seumur-umur belum pernah saya merasakan sakit gigi, apalagi seperti yang saya alami malam itu. Sekarang saya tidak percaya kalau ada lagu ndang-ndut melantunkan lagu lebih baik sakit gigi daripada sakit hati. Orang yang mengarang lagu itu pasti benar-benar ngarang dan belum pernah sakit gigi. Kalau orang sakit hati masih bisa melamun, masih bisa bermain dengan perasaan melankolisnya, masih bisa curhat, masih bisa mencari penasehat spiritual, sementok-mentoknya masih bisa bersujud kepada Sang Pencipta agar hati dan jiwa jadi adem dan tenang.

Tapi coba sakit gigi, rasain sendiri lu…..!. Semakin melamun semakin cekut-cekut. Boro-boro curhat atau cari penasehat spiritual, bisa-bisa malah berantem dengan yang dicurhati atau penasehatnya. Saya baru benar-benar paham, kenapa teman sekost saya dulu kalau sakit gigi menjadi sensitif, mudah tersinggung dan gampang marah. Tersenyum lewat di depannya pun bisa dikira ngeledek. Kurang tepat memilih kata dalam bertegur sapa pun bisa ditanggapi negatif. Bahkan ada kucing meang-meong pun bisa kena gampar.

Pendeknya, paling aman adalah menghindari berinteraksi dengan orang yang lagi sakit gigi. Sebaliknya kalau kita sedang sakit gigi lebih bijaksana kalau kita mengisolasi diri dari berinteraksi dengan orang lain. Dijamin bahwa kita tidak akan mampu mengendalikan diri ketika melihat, merasakan, mendengar atau mengalami sesuatu yang biasanya biasa-biasa saja, tiba-tiba menjadi sesuatu yang memancing emosi.  

***

Esok paginya rasa sakit memang mulai agak mereda. Saya coba menceritakan apa yang baru saya alami tadi malam kepada beberapa rekan lain, dengan harapan ada yang bisa memberi solusi yang mujarab. Sampai kemudian ada yang menyarankan agar sedia minyak cengkeh. Mudah diperoleh di toko obat atau apotik, harganya sangat murah tapi dijamin mengatasi rasa sakit ketika gigi sedang cekut-cekut   

Tanpa pikir panjang, sore harinya saya suruhan saudara untuk membeli minyak cengkeh di apotik terdekat. Diperolehlah minyak cengkeh cap Gajah (sebuah merek yang sama sekali tidak komersial, tapi yang penting khasiatnya) buatan PT USFI Surabaya, dalam botolan kecil warna hijau bentuknya jelek isi 10 ml, dan harganya cuma seribu perak. Menilik komposisinya 100% minyak cengkeh. Indikasinya mengobati sakit gigi (jadi memang sengaja minyak itu dijual untuk mengobati sakit gigi). Cara pakainya (saya kutip sesuai aslinya) : Kapas dibasahi dengan obat ini dan dimasukkan ke dalam lubang gigi yang sakit. Naluri bakul spontan bertanya-tanya, ini komoditas penting dan sebenarnya sangat dibutuhkan orang, tapi kenapa tidak pernah dipromosikan. Juga memberi ide bagi toko saya “Madurejo Swalayan” untuk menyediakan produk ini.

Ketika malam tiba, saya pun mulai was-was. Jangan-jangan akan terulang lagi pentas seni seperti tadi malam. Tapi kali ini saya merasa lebih siap menghadapi sliding tackle di depan gawang, berkat tersedianya minyak cengkeh cap Gajah. Benar juga, prolog pentas seni mulai terasa agak cekut-cekut tanda-tandanya. Bedanya kali ini saya menghadapinya dengan agak senyum-senyum sombong. Segera ambil sedikit kapas, dibasahi dengan minyak cengkeh lalu tempelkan di sekitar gigi dan gusi yang sakit di dalam mulut, sebab menentukan posisi mana gigi yang lubang juga rada sulit. 

Aneh bin ajaib. Rasa sakit mereda spontan tanpa ponstan. Hanya perlu agak dijaga agar jangan kebanyakan menuangkan minyaknya ke kapas. Sebab kelebihan minyaknya kalau sampai tertelan menimbulkan rasa tidak enak di tenggorokan. Meskipun kalau sampai hal itu terjadi pun sebenarnya masih dalam kategori tidak ada apa-apanya dibandingkan kalau rasa cekut-cekut datang menyerang. 

Kini, sisa minyak cengkeh yang masih ada dalam botol kecil jelek saya simpan dan saya jaga dengan baik. Jangan sampai terjadi, pas sakit gigi menyerang, minyak cengkeh terselip entah kemana, sementara di toko obat atau apotik sedang kehabisan persediaan. Benar-benar cilaka dua-belas namanya…..! Pokoknya pengalaman berpentas seni sendirian di tengah malam ini harus menjadi pengalaman pertama dan (mudah-mudahan ) terakhir. Seorang teman yang merekomendasikan saya membeli minyak cengkeh ini malah kemana-mana botol kecil jelek itu selalu dibawanya serta.

Ngayogyokarto Hadiningrat – 12 Maret 2006
Yusuf Iskandar