I have been missing since my last post on May 21st. It would be almost 2 months. It's nothing new that I would disappear from time to time like the birds flying south. I could say that I was very busy running around with my daily errands and freelance businesses. I had to work harder than most of you to keep myself afloat. I am thankful that luck has been on my side.
I should say that most days were spent with my downline and his many new downlines of the bereavement services. Business has been very supportive and good for me along the way. It is better than earning zero income from my boss. This new venture is not any MLM or Pyramid Schemes as thought by many but their system works like an insurance company. One needs to work hard all the time to survive and not reap from the downlines like any other MLM company. We just sell pre-need products for those who are far sighted and that saves them a lot of money & future troubles for their loved ones when they are gone. I don't handle the actual funeral services, so the sales job is very easy since I am a thick skinned and one who has no ego.
I found some rare and priceless antique cabinets and hunting chairs for my collector friend who lives in overseas. I got them loaded up onto the lorry and delivered to his private bungalow home in Penang. The rare 3 red cabinets were made in Fujian, China and were often being rented to movie makers to be used as background props. I heard that Crazy Rich Asians movie also used them too. The 2 old hunting chairs were believed to be from a wealthy owner in Shanghai, maybe during the end of Qing Dynasty.
It was a nice short break to visit my hometown where I grew up. Many hotels have sadly closed down due to the pandemic spread and those which survived offered the lowest prices. So we stayed at the 5 star Evergreen Laurel Hotel along Gurney Drive for just RM214 per night! I also took the opportunity to visit the columbarium at Mount Erskine to pay respect to 6 deceased persons. They are my late grandfather, his 2 wives (3rd wife is in the ocean) and 3 of his 21 children whose niches are housed together. It looks like I would be the only one of his 58 grandchildren who will do the prayer rituals and food offerings from time to time.
I organized a get together dinner with my closest childhood friends and their families at the famous Nona Bali Restaurant along Penang's coastal road near the Penang Bridge. This place was opened by another school mate which serves very delicious authentic Balinese food. We all had a merry and fun time with SOP inside the restaurant. The bill came up to over RM660+ and it was my treat for them all. They were all speechless.
It was such an unfortunate moment when we returned to KL and my wife met up her school mate for their usual gossip sessions. They went to eat at a famous vegetarian cafe which I will not name it but some bloggers have eaten there. My wife ate their salad of raw vegetables with some fanciful dressings. That night her body turned cold like frozen meat and she shivered uncontrollably during her sleep. When I checked on her, she was back to normal. The next night, she had the same attack right after dinner and her body turned cold but with mild fever on her forehead. She started to shake uncontrollably on the sofa until her head started to swing into convulsions like being possessed. My face turned pale with shock as I had no idea whether she had dengue fever or got possessed by some ghosts!! I jumped onto my feet and ran to grab the thickest comforter blanket to cover her but she was still in convulsions with her mouth muttering some gibberish sound. I wasted no time and quickly put joss sticks on my altar, just in case it was some demons lurking and attacking. I quickly bundled her into the car. I held her tightly with one hand and drove past all the red lights to the nearest hospital while yelling to her God Brother over the phone to meet me at the hospital. I wheeled my wife who was still shaking under blankets to the emergency ward. The nurses were cool and tried to calm down my panic state. They quickly drew blood from my wife's arm for blood tests. By then, her crazy convulsions had subsided and she was back to her normal state. She was exhausted, worried about her near death-experience and fell asleep. Her God Brother and I had to wait outside the ward but we found a bench to climb up to peep at my wife sleeping inside the emergency ward. An hour later the blood test results came out and the doctor explained that there were very high presence of bacteria in her blood. He was quick to point out that the bacteria probably came from the food she had eaten which could be uncooked or raw meat/vegetables! My wife knew at once that she had eaten raw salads the day before. She asked to be discharged that night itself as our home is quite near to the hospital. She has terrible phobia ever since and stopped eating raw vegetables or even coleslaw. I learnt from the internet that convulsions like those from "Exorcist" movies could be caused by mere food bacteria that attacks their whole immunity system! It was a very scary experience for both of us.
My wife's nephew has been suffering from hypothyroidism and hyper tension. He is only 15 years old and no one in the entire family had suspected that his mood swings & depression were caused by this thyroid issues. Luckily my wife insisted that he should be examined by a doctor, who later confirmed that his Hypothyroidism caused many related issues including his hyper tension. The first thing his grandmother ordered me was to get her favourite grandson for some regular exercises to help build his strengths and immunity besides counselling him on how to control his very difficult emotions. I thought it was an honour to be singled out to help this young nephew as they must be looking as me as a crazy joker and gym freak.
Have A Good Weekend!
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So much happened these past months. Good to hear on your business. Sorry to hear about your wife but thank God she is fine. Luckily discover on your nephew's problem so everyone can be supportive and help him to go through it. God bless you and family.
ReplyDeleteThe world itself is getting sick and affects everyone globally from top high societies to the man living on the streets. We just need to be strong and tough to endure this difficult period. Thank you for your kind wishes. I wish you and family will be safe and happy everyday.
DeleteThe missing person has been found! hah..hah... I was so scared after reading about your wifey's experience. Now I will look at salads served at restaurants differently! I had no idea that food poisoning can cause such severe reaction. I am glad that she has recovered.
ReplyDeleteYou are good in sales, something that I cannot do. Hope you continue to do well. What you are selling is for something that is inevitable, all of us will go down that road, like it or not! It is good of you to are providing guidance and counselling for your wife's nephew. I am sure with your good influence, he will improve.
It was a terrible shock for me to learn that certain food bacteria could attack our immunity system. Perhaps my wife's immunity is not as strong as others. The funny thing was she had no diarrhea or vomiting but scary convulsions! I am still baffled.
DeleteI am a sweet talker and that's how I landed into advertising career to teach customers on ways to market their products. If I can live my life all over again, I do not want to be in advertising line as this industry always died first when there's recession or global chaotic moments like war or pandemic. The best career would be related to education or medical.
I could see some improvement in my nephew. He developed tiny muscles for the first time and regained his self confidence.
It must be such a frightening experience. Thankfully your wife is ok now. Thank you for sharing about bacteria in raw salads that caused this. Many people should know about this.
ReplyDeleteAs I type this reply, I still feel the deep relief from the frightening ordeal as I felt so helpless and confused that night. Now I can understand better why so many types of liquid are being promoted to wash vegetables thoroughly. I thought only very kiasu people would wash & wash their vegetables with these special detergents. Now I need to buy one big bottle to put beside my sink. Lolol
DeleteThose who wants burial plots or columbarium spots should contact you to buy them. May your business be good as everyone will die so most people will need.
ReplyDeleteThank you for wishing me well. My customers are very thankful that they could save a lot of money now & the future by paying 0% instalments. It is most suitable for singles or childless couples as everything will be arranged and no worries of inflation.
DeleteWhy your late grandfather's 3rd wife chose to have her ashes scattered into the sea? You are such a good grandson to offer them prayers and good so they will look after you and give you lots of business.
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd wife had 2 adopted children and all the other children disliked her step mother role, just like in the movies. So she chose to be in the ocean as she thought no one would pray for her.
DeleteI would be delighted if my ancestors could bless me with lots of business! That would be nice lah!
Those antique furniture each will have one spirit, right?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say that every antique would have one spirit. It could attract even a hundred to live on one piece without its original owner. Wandering spirits would linger at any place they love. My friend's house has over 100 pieces of antiques and old collectibles, so the house is like a ghost harem. He has been pestering me to stay over at his big house. I said no thanks.
DeleteYour friend must be so happy that you spent rm660+ in his restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThe owner was happy that I gathered friends to eat there as the MCO had affected their business. He didn't know I foot the bill as he didn't see it. The cashier issued me 5 different bills to comply with the SOP rules.
DeleteHypothyroidism - is there anything to eat for this? Meds or changes in food? Hyperthyroidism can be cured by surgery, is it? What about hypo?
ReplyDeleteSadly, there is no cure for Hyper or Hypothyroidism cases except some medication to control it. Thyroid is like an important factory inside our body that produces hormones,metabolism, emotions, voice and many others. It could cause lifetime depression too which is scary. I am not sure whether it's necessary to have surgery to remove the thyroid. The nephew is taking TCM medicine for the time being.
DeleteYour nephew in law is so blessed to have you guide him in the gym. You are a trustworthy person so you are entrusted with this important mission.
ReplyDeleteI am blessed that this nephew felt comfortable and trusts me as our age gap is so far. We hardly talked much before but now he will treat me like his friend. I am also taking this opportunity to learn about his sickness and ways to help him adjust his lifestyle.
DeleteYour photos collage is so nice. What software did u use to make it? You must be so patient to do it. Thanks for this long post sharing info with us. It is good to hear that you are living the real physical life out there instead of living in virtual reality.
ReplyDeleteI am using the Photogrid Lite software in my phone. I always appreciate that I still have so many readers especially silent ones, so I must put some effort to write better and decorate my photos with happier frames.
DeleteOh dear, poor Letchumy.
ReplyDeleteBoth of you must have had real scare when she was convulsing.
Glad she's OK now.
I really hope that no one will have to suffer this convulsions from food bacteria. It's too scary and confusing. Better vomit out or have diarrhea. Stay safe Lina. Happy weekend!
DeleteJust wondering, did the doctors do any tests to identify bacteria is so keng to cause convulsions?
ReplyDeleteThe hospital's lab did the thorough blood test that night to identify this common bacteria. I guess we have very little knowledge as there are probably thousands of different bacteria that attacks the beings.
DeleteDid the hospital lab tell you the name of the bacteria? This is an very important info cos if this shop keeps serving food with this bacteria have to get them to see how that bacteria get into their food cos other people may get sick from their food too.
DeleteThe doctor did mention about the type of bacteria that often appears in uncooked food. However, my wife only assumed that she ate raw salad from that restaurant but the bacteria could also be from elsewhere in Penang too. So we better be more careful in future on whatever goes into our mouths.
DeleteVery true. Must be extra careful. Thanks for your reply.
DeleteSorry to hear abt your wife being hospitalised, hope she is fully recovered now, did the doc says is the bacteria the same as those found in raw salmon. Recently i hv been suffering insomnia for weeks, i suspect could be due to menoupause or stress or as the doc says could be due to thyroid, doc gave me some medicine to help me to slp and is still monitoring to see wat is the cause. Thanks for your update of your two months activities.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you are doing well in your sales job, there is always a silver lining, may buddha bless your wifey to fully recover and bless you in your sales job.
I think you could be stressed out by all the lockdown and MCO that affected millions of people. I had to exercise a lot just to keep my mind sane as I had worries too. Maybe you can do long meditation daily besides taking the medicine.
DeleteThank you very much for your kind wishes.
The doctor did not say about the bacteria in the raw salmon. He just said uncooked meat or vegetables. Anyways, much medical news have been sharing about worms growing inside human brains after eating too much raw sushis. LOLOL
Delete*menopause
ReplyDeleteHope tht ur wife can recover fast and be back to her active lifestyle. Good to hear tht ur business is blooming and soon u will have overflowing incomeš. U r so generous to treat ur friends a sumptous dinner. The 5star hotel is so cheap tht i feel like wanting to stay there now. Ur family is so big with so many siblings & cousins. Ur grandfather mst be so wealthy to hav 3 wives & 21 children...almost can beat the HK tycoon Stanley...
ReplyDeleteYou cracked me up about my grandfather! How I wished he left me a fortune so that I need not have to struggle right now. In olden days, men were more horny without qualms whatsoever. It was acceptable then.
DeleteI gave this small treat to my old friends for the first time and they look at me differently now.
You should take a nice break in Penang and stay at the 5 star hotels along the beach which are cheap too like The Double Tree Hilton or Rasa Sayang Resort.
Wow man! Your life is really packed with lots of actions and dramas. Glad that you got to spend the few months very well.
ReplyDeleteMay your wife get well soon.
Yeah so many hotels are closing down so right now it is quite affordable for local tourism.
Your nephew is lucky that you guys were there to help him identify the root cause of his problem.
I think your life is much more happening than me! I wonder if any hotels have closed down in Melaka too? I want to visit Melaka soon.
DeleteMy relatives were not even aware than their son has so much sickness! Haiks!
Ooo, I'm glad the 'missing' person has been found 2 months later. It's so scary this story you shared about your wife's misfortune. Hope she's on the road to recovery. Such an incident will undoubtedly 'scar' her for life and I'm sure she'll be very careful of what she eats from now on. It's a wonder how her schoolmate who shared the same meal escaped the food poisoning. The worst food poisoning case I had was diarrhea and vomitting simultaneously, never knew it can go into convulsions like that (so scary). And the funny thing was my other colleagues who were eating at the same place as me were fine. I think it has to do with our 'defence mechanisms', some are better than others. But the problem with all food poisoning cases is that we can't pinpoint which food is the actual culprit since symptoms can begin any time between 6 - 24 hours after exposure (or even as early as 4 hours). For all you know, it may not even had been the raw vegetables of the salad but the salad dressing itself. Or perhaps the raw vegetables were cut on a cutting board that was contaminated with raw meat is a more like scenario to me. There are just so many ways food can get contaminated...physical handling, chemical contamination, biological contamination, etc. In my opinion, it's a case of real bad luck but hopefully that does not put her off eating salads coz they're, after all, healthy food we should eat more of.
ReplyDeleteAs for your newfound 'job' (and income), I believe you will do very well...you're made for sales, it suits your personality. All the best just the same.
So many days have passed but my wife's phobia remains all time high over raw salads. I would just close one eye and eat them from her plate. I really agree with you that it was a real bad luck for her and the bacteria could be from anywhere including the hawker food we ate in Penang or the physical handling too. We do know that bacteria could attack many hours or days later. I often suffered from diarrhea and vomiting simultaneously too but not convulsions. Next time, my readers would be alert if they see anyone suddenly freezing and then shaking into convulsions.....hurry to hospital. Hahahaha
DeleteThank you for your kind wishes. The world has changed into new norm, so my jobs have to follow suit.
I was wondering where you were. Glad to know you were busy. And a speedy recovery to your wife :)
ReplyDeleteI am always around even in hibernation mode. Please revive your blog! You have so much to share.
Deletewah, so many thing happening on your side. Thank God all are well now. Make me scare of eating salad now. I try to avoid raw sushi for the time being.
ReplyDeleteSorry to frighten you now when you see the salad in your plate. I think we should take probiotic and vitamin supplements to strengthen our immunity.
DeleteIn two months, sure lots of happenings! I have been missing too from my blog for one week, not as long as you, two months. LOL... Thanks for sharing your wife's experience with us, I didn't know raw vegetables can bring convulsions, I must really tell my girl cos she likes salad too..
ReplyDeleteThe bacteria could be from any uncooked meat or vegetables or even physical handling and from the water we drink. So just tell your girl to be careful. It was new for me to hear that bacteria could attack our immune system and trigger convulsions as explained over the internet.
DeleteWhat freelance are you doing? Are you a full time nirvana agent now?
ReplyDeleteI am always trading in few things as I don't have the lifestyle like Crazy Rich Asians.... living in Thailand now. 555555
DeleteSalad (NO). Siew yuk (YES). Glad that you sought medical treatment quickly enough. Hope that your wife is well now.
ReplyDeleteJust 15 and your nephew has hypertension and thyroid issues? Really need some drastic measures to get back to health! Should ask KH to talk to you.
My wife is back to her feet and working full swing now. Just that her phobia for salad remains. The bacteria could be from anywhere.
DeleteMy nephew is getting treatment from both the specialist and TCM doctor in Ipoh. There is no cure for complicated cases like his except to control it for the time being.
Good to see to back! Hopefully your wife is recovered and well now. I always clean my veggies several times especially for raw eating purpose but I know I can't expect restaurant to do the same :( So cook at home always the best, but we can't avoid to dine out also, right? Haiz~~
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your wife is ok now, TM. How scary and worrying! Food bacteria is something new to me.
ReplyDeleteYou were chosen for your nephew because you have a big heart and are always compassionate.
Ohh.. I have been to Nona Bali. My SIL is a friend of Peter. She brought the entire family there one CNY. I love the view there and wish the eateries in that area had been built with better outdoor dining ambiance. I don't mind having my yumcha sessions there then. Right now I am always depending on Gurney Drive.
Take care, TM and God bless. May you do well in all your business activities.