Tumbang Lagi: Vertigo Menyerangku

Subuh tadi, 25 September 2026, seketika bumiku berputar lebih cepat dari biasanya. Sepertinya vertigo, batinku. Mata kucoba buka, namun pandanganku bergerak tak berirama. Melihat ke kiri, tiba-tiba tanpa kugerakkan, pandanganku beralih cepat ke kanan. Begitupun sebaliknya. 

Aku mencoba memejamkan lagi tapi tak bisa. Terpejam pun masih terasa warna hitam gelap bergerak cepat juga. Keringat tetiba menyerbak keluar sekujur tubuhku. Aneh, biasanya aku kedinginan. Mengapa ini keringatan hebat?

Aku melangkah keluar kamar. Sempoyongan. Pegangan tembok, pintu, meja, dan apapun yang bisa teraih oleh tanganku. Sampailah aku di tempat kran. Mual, tetapi tak keluar. Aku pun minum segelas air. Belum habis segelas, air yang kutelan kembali keluar disertai lendir dalam perutku. Berceceran di sekitar tempat galon. Sudah berusaha lari, tapi tak bisa. Menang muntahku daripada gerak kakiku.

Puas mengeluarkan isi perut. Aku berseancar di internet dengan bertanya ke Google mode AI. Disarankan segera ke IGD untuk mencegah kejadian November 2024 terulang lagi - kesemutan hampir seluruh tubuh. Na’uzubillahi min dzalik.

Ok, kuputuskan membangunkan suami dan memintanya mengantarku ke IGD PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Menurutku, harus ke sana. Database kesehatanku di sana. 

Ketiga anakku masih tidur. Anak pertamaku, suami bangunkan agar tidak panik begitu melihat rumah kok mama & ayahnya tidak ada sekaligus memintanya menjaga adik-adiknya. 

Kami berdua, aku dan suami, pun bergegas. Mobil kunyitku melaju agak cepat dari biasanya. Beberapa bangjo kami trabas, maafkan kami. Kami hanya tak ingin mimpi buruk 2024 terulang lagi. Dalam perjalanan pun berkali-kali aku muntah. Basah celana dan jok mobilku. Biarkan.

Sesampainya di IGD, tanganku pun diinfus.

 

Infus ini untuk memasukkan cairan pereda vertigo dan jaga-jaga kalau nanti harus rawat inap, dokter tidak perlu suntik lagi. Hemat rasa sakit, pringisan.

Alhamdulillah, berangsur baik. Pandanganku yang tadinya berputar-putar seketika berhenti walaupun sempat sekali muntah setelah konsultasi dokter. Muntahan berupa lendir putih bercampur kuning. Asam lambung katanya.

Sudah, istirahat dulu di sini sembari berpikir nanti anak-anak sekolah gimana. Kami putuskan untuk memohon izin ke ustadzah anak-anak karena memang kami berdua tidak bisa mengurus mereka ke sekolah. Mau minta tolong ibuku, ternyata ibu sudah dalam perjalanan ke Njanti mau berenang bersama teman-temannya. Ya sudah, fix: sama dan suami di IGD; ketiga anakku di rumah tidak sekolah dulu.

Setelah lama menunggu, hasil observasi keluar. Saya diperbolehkan rawat jalan. Kami pun pulang. 

Sesampai di rumah, full tidur. Istirahat dan alhamdulillah membaik. Ibuku pun datang. Seperti biasa, selalu datang begitu mengetahui aku sakit. 

Yang paling aku suka dari ibu, ibu selalu mendekati anak-anakku. Menanyai kabar mereka dan larut dalam cerita. Melihat pemandangan ini, cukup menjadi obatku. Langsung sehat dong aku. Aamiin. Alhamdulillahirobbil ‘aalamiin.

Turbinectomy Makes My Breathing Easier

Starting with tingling in the earlobe, ringing in the ears, and recurring dizziness in the same place, namely around the right ear, made my neurologist, Dr Erupsiana, refer me to an ENT doctor, Dr Yan. Three visits later, Dr Yan finally decided to issue a referral letter to the emergency room so that I could undergo a turbinectomy, a medical procedure to remove or reduce the size of enlarged (hypertrophied) nasal turbinates (conchae). The letter was undated, so I could decide when I was ready to receive treatment from Dr Yan.

The considerations were quite tough. My current position involves working and studying. I had to find some truly free time. And I did find that time. And it wasn't by accident. As usual, I don't really remember dates. My students asked me about the lecture process on public holidays, May 14-15, 2026. May 14 is the Ascension of Jesus Christ and May 15 is a joint holiday. Perfect! May 14 is Thursday, and May 15 is Friday, followed by Saturday and Sunday, which are regular holidays. So, I took advantage of the long holiday.

On Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026, I mustered up the courage to go to the emergency room. My mental state was my primary concern. I would be dealing with needles. An IV, for sure. Yes, there would be blood draws every now and then. Antibiotics and painkillers were administered through a tube, and I still remember the sting. But it was okay. I'd get through it.

After leaving the emergency room, I was taken to the room where I would be staying for three days, Umar bin Khattab A, Class 1, Number 8. This is how it is at PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta. The rooms are named after Islamic names.

For three days, I wasn't alone; someone accompanied me. My mother and my husband took turns waiting for me.

At least I'm not lonely, even though we're sometimes chatting in our rooms and busy with our own things, each with our own devices. I even carry two gadgets with me: my phone and my laptop. At least I have peace of mind when I have college or work assignments due. Just open one or both devices, retrieve the file, send it, and voilà.

This way, it's like being at home. My entertainment so far has been surfing on the laptop. I can get through a lot of college assignments. I'm the type who does it in installments, not the all-night Wayang. That's tiring. The same goes for work. I also spend time on content; I do everything in installments. I think this is important to avoid getting into the habit of staying up late, which can be detrimental to my health.

The first day, May 14, 2026, was packed in the operating room for the following day at 8 a.m. They were also asked to fast at 2 a.m., so 2 a.m. was the last time to eat and drink before the turbinectomy.

8 a.m. on May 15, 2026, arrived. Half an hour earlier, I was taken to the operating room. The process seemed quick because of the general anaesthesia. Entering the room at 8 a.m., I began to wake up at 10 a.m. and was immediately taken back to the ward. I was still very drowsy from the anaesthesia's effects. The sleepiness completely disappeared around 12 noon. I was able to sit up, drink, eat, and occasionally rub my face because I was starting to see blood spots, remnants of the surgery. The medication also started to arrive and I had to take it. There was no need to write down when to take the medication, like I do at home. Here, just wait for the nurse's signal. Everything was arranged and done.

On the third day, May 16, 2026, I thought I had caught a cold. I've been used to having a stuffy nose for the past few years. After this surgery, it cleared up, allowing more air to flow in, and it even caused a sore throat. So, I wore a mask to keep my nose warm.

It's called adapting from a stuffy nasal cavity to a completely unobstructed one, allowing air to flow in immediately. In the name of God, I hope this adaptation will last a while so I can return to my normal activities.

Finally I Dared to Start My Doctoral Program

On 18 February 2026, two important events awaited me: my first fasting and my first meeting. So, on this date, I came to my new college in a fasting condition. I was extremely excited to attend the Introduction to College Life for New Students event. After getting sahur, I didn't sleep. I do all housework until 06.30 a.m. After that, I prepared myself for coming to that university's event. 

I went there by electric motor. Intentionally, this motor will be used on every fifth Friday when my college implements zero emissions. But, I just want to. It's more relaxed and faster. The important thing is making sure you have a full battery.

I arrived promptly at 07.30. Enthusiasm seems to be in every person whom I meet. It seems we all can't wait to start activity here.

Actually, the time is too early. I was alone. Nobody whom I knew before. So, I just search for an space and then sit.

Although I am lonely, I enjoy this moment. Several times passed, and a master of ceremonies asked us who sat on the last two lines to move forward to the front seat. So, I move. Surprisingly, I sat next to a personal trainer in my Zumba place, Coach Dhia. 

Yeay! Finally, I got a chit-chat friend. I think it can't be boring. With friends, we can share anything and we will not feel alone. Let's process together.

The New Routine: Attending the Public Exam

These two weeks, every Tuesday, I go to campus. Not studying, but attending a sacral, which is eagerly awaited by every doctoral student. There is a happy feeling because this is one of my reasons to go to my new college. Actually, my doctoral activity will be started in February 2026, insyaAllah. But, with the invitation from my friends, Ms. Dita and Mr. Frank, I have felt the new academic atmosphere, which is the same feeling in the same place as when I got my magister study.

Ms. Dita's Photo Session

Mr. Frank's Presentation

There are several reasons for following the public exam. Firstly, the individual feels motivated to accompany and support their friend. Secondly, I am interested in understanding the steps involved in the public exam. Where is yours? If you choose the first reason, congratulations, I judge you to have a social soul. In contrast, if you choose the second, congratulations too; you are a visionary. You haven't had a chance yet, but you've prepared before doctoral study. But, in addition, if you choose the second reason, you are perhaps selfish too. You know the difference, right? Finally, I have come to understand who is truly sincere and who conveys hidden meanings. To get away from it all, I say thanks to Ms. Dita & Mr. Frank for the permission to make me enter your final presentation in doctoral study.

Ms. Anim and I walk into the room.

My Lasik Experience at Jakarta Eye Center - Candi Semarang

I have not made a narration. Maybe later. Wait for my writing. For now, you can watch my video by clicking the link below.

https://youtu.be/BUiFd-aqdu4

Standing Overtime: My Daughter is Sick and Constantly Fussy

I guess every time's gonna be okay. But, I'm not sure. There are several moments that make me collapse. When is it? Yeah, it was while my child was sick. On those days, especially at night, I often have no sleep, like yesterday until today. My third child was sick. She got a high temperature, coughing, and had a cold. Automatically, she doesn't sleep on her bed. So, I must carry her up. While I carried her up and felt she had slept, I tried to hold onto her bed, but she accidentally woke up. Thus, I had to get her up again until the day after. It's been a long time, I must stand and go around my house. Was I tired? Absolutely, but for the sake of my love, my child, I had to do my best until she got well. I usually stand for a long time during my activities in my ex-office. I have had to stand since I started teaching.

Let's Routinely Check Eye Health!

Eye health is essential for this life.  With healthy eyes, we can feel safe at every opportunity. We can more believe in the choices way to someplace. But, not at all agree with my principal choice. There is somebody who chooses not to come to ophthalmologists. The reason is they afraid to know about the changed size of glasses. Even though, It can damage other people. For example, if they use glasses of the wrong size, it will disturb people around them. Notably, they are trusted to drive vehicles, especially at night. Thus, please be aware of our environment and more concerned with eye health. Let's go to ophthalmologists soon near our houses normally once a year.  I'm sorry, I have to remembering you about this because I just had an unpleasant experience. The person who drove me like that phenomenon is people who don't care about eye health.