By Bakri Baharom@Koboi Tunjang 

The Trip Down Memory Lane was not all rosy. Rather, a mix of happiness and sadness, trials and tribulations but all ended well – the recipe of the Hindustani film script. Koboi Tunjang’s son (nickname Oyie) took the wheels from Penang. Flood was not expected but his 4×4 would be ready for any eventuality. Attending Hindun’s wedding reception was cast in stone.

Oyie’s wife (nickname Wawa) came from Sg Lembing, 40 km from Kuantan. She applied for a week’s leave as a nurse at Penang GH. Oyie is self-employed, operating BB Electronics Shop in Seberang Jaya. A nod from Koboi Tunjang is all he needed. By 3.30pm Thursday, Koboi Tunjang and his spouse, Oyie and Wawa with their 3-year-old daughter (Erika) hit the road.

Erika had Pyrexia Fever (demam panas) in the last six days. She was taken to see three different doctors at Child Specialist Clinic, Bukit Mertajam GH and KPJ Seberang Jaya. She looked recovered. To cap it all, Koboi Tunjang even brought some traditional remedies: Air Penawar Jampi and Bayam Duri as practised by the old generation. Our first overnight pit stop, Setia Alam, where Koboi Tunjang’s first daughter resides with her hubby (nickname Aji) and two sons. Everything seemed alright.

Daddy with Mummy and Erika during visiting hours. Erika is showing good recovery

Wawa looked forward to her brother’s newborn daughter’s Aqiqah and berzanji by 30-strong troupe members. Oyie and Koboi Tunjang’s second daughter (nickname Manja) who travelled from Cameron Highlands with her family always looked forward to their birthplace. Even Koboi Tunjang first daughter (nickname Along) started her kindergarten and three years of primary school here. Everyone has reasons to be back in Kuantan. We checked in at a homestay at Tok Sira.

By late Friday afternoon, Erika looked unwell again. She was rushed to Emergency Department, UIA Hospital at Indera Mahkota. The first check on Yellow Line found her to have a temperature spike, abnormally high Heart Beat and Pulse Rate (Tachycardia and Tachypnic) – 190 beats per second (normal 100) and low oxygen level; 91% (normal 100%). Little Erika proceeded with Blood Investigation, Nebuliser and Nasal Prong Oxygen (3 L/min). Tears flowed freely from her mother’s eyes.

Once Pulse Rate decreased to 174 beats per minute, Branula Insertion was carried out. In layman’s terms, it means a connecting tube into a patient’s vein so that infusions can be inserted directly into the bloodstream. UIA staff carried Erika for an X-ray procedure and a third Nebuliser was applied. By 11.00 pm, Erika was warded at Level 5, Bed 13, under the care of Dr Alwi and his fellow medical team. Koboi Tunjang is unable to describe further as the details are beyond his scope. Furthermore, Koboi Tunjang could contravene medical confidentiality or any other terms and conditions. Koboi Tunjang begs for apology. Only tons of prayers for little Erika.

Wawa and Erika missed Hindun’s wedding reception on Saturday. The rest proceeded as planned. But, everyone visited them from 12.00 – 2.00 pm. Again, between 5.00 to 7.00 pm to lend moral support. Relatives thronged in droves with presents and well wishes for Erika. Wawa insisted that she would be with her 24/7. It is not difficult to understand why. A mother’s love has no limit. Everyone obliged.

Without warning, both Along and Aji started to throw up for a good part of Saturday night. It was bad. By morning they looked dazy and tired. Still, they summoned enough energy and resolve to attend an aqiqah ceremony in Sg Lembing. Aji was not fit to drive back to Setia Alam. Koboi Tunjang was forever ready to serve.

After about 72 hours, the news reached Koboi Tunjang’s ears. Erika has been given a clean bill of health. Hour by hour, day by day she kept on improving. She is back to her old self, jovial and playful. The Almighty Allah has answered our pleas and prayers. Let her have a good time with her grandparents and relatives in Sg Lembing. We would head north whenever she is ready. Jazakallah Khairan (may Allah reward you with good) Dr Alwi and team members.

Note: Koboi Tunjang reached home safely on Wed 22 Feb 2023.