After having the best time at the Pandawa beach yesterday, we moved to a countryside, Sidemen (read: see-the-mund). And I blame all the fun we had to Rika for successfully fumed my jealousy over her family trip there.

The drive from Uluwatu to Sidemen took 1.5 hours. Probably because they were exhausted from building sandcastle, the kids slept almost all the way. It was a smooth drive as the roads in Bali were amazingly good. I really enjoyed driving there. And again, thanks to GPS I didn’t get lost at all and arrived in Sidemen without scratching asphalt road. (jadi gak lucu ya ekspresinya kalo di enggrisin.. qiqiqik)

The view from our spacious terrace/balcony.

Our accommodation, Lihat Sawah homestay is easy to find once we got to Banjar Tabola. The owner and his family actually owns several accommodations in Sidemen, such as Sawah Indah Villa, Kubu Tani, and I don’t know what are the rest. Lihat Sawah is actually the oldest establishment they run and as a little bird told me, the third oldest hotel in Sidemen. So yea.. it’s rather old and I honestly think they need to upgrade the rooms a bit. But, what they lack of in term of charming room, they made it up with a nice swimming pool, as advertised on their sign post.

Their swimming pool won our hearts. It’s all about a pool for us. The weather at Sidemen was mildly cool. It’s not as cold as Ubud but definitely not as hot as in Kuta. We just didn’t sweat here. The air was just perfect and so did the water in the pool. On the first day, the girls enjoyed swimming until 6:30 p.m. without feeling cold. The only reason they agreed to get out of the water was because it got dark and they got hungry too.

Not so much liking the bedroom but absolutely love the terrace/balcony

The pool that won our hearts

There were not many dining options there. Visitors can go to restaurant at different hotels or to even more limited option of small local joints. Do bring enough cash as most of them do not accept other form of payment. Fortunately, BRI bank has an atm near the accommodations.

Day 2 at Sidemen, we again followed Rika’s suggestion to go sawah trekking. At 7:30 a.m. our guide, Komang, came to our bungalow to pick us up. Raissa was not too excited with the thought that she was going to walk on a somewhat tough terrain again after Bingin beach.  She said she would prefer to just sleep at the hotel. I did feel sorry for her, a teeny bit, but since I wanted the kids to fully experience village life and got all muddy at paddy field (sawah), I tricked her to agree do the trekking because at the end of the tour there’s a river where she can splash water. She gave in.

The trekking was supposedly to sawah but since paddy plantation was not in season, we went to rows of chili, and some sporadic planting of water spinach (kangkung), passion fruits, long beans, and cassava leaves (singkong). There were even wild coffee trees which flowers exuded heady smell I love. Done with the vegetation stuff, we went to the river.

The water at the river was clean but co-cooo-ccooolldd. None of us wanted to get wet more than just dipped our feet up to the ankle. I noticed that there were feathers in the water though so I asked our guide from what animal the feather came from. He said it’s from wild geese. Usually slightly after 1 p.m., a flock of wild geese would fly over the river. It would be a wow sight but…  we didn’t want to give up the chance to use the pool before check-out just to see flying geese. Ummmm… maybe next time. Maaaaybee. From the river, we headed back to the homestay. We booked 1-hour trekking tour and ended up did 2 hours. A lovely morning exercise for Raissa and myself, while Fiamma slept the whole time. Booo..so much for kampung experience idea.

lihat kebunkuuu

Jernih ya airnyaaa

We really enjoyed the stay at Sidemen. Raissa even said that she wants to come back with PapaKris. Just like Raissa, I also feel sorry that Kris had missed a wonderful experience staying at Bali countryside so I wouldn’t mind coming back again too. But only if Kris comes along. On the accommodation though, while the staff at Lihat Sawah were attentive and friendly but for the next visit, I think I’ll opt for newer accommodation. Unless Lihat Sawah completely upgrades their rooms or half their rates.

Last day at Sidemen was also our last day in Bali. We headed back to Kuta in the afternoon and spent the last hours of our holiday strolling around Kuta/Legian eating gelatos and sipping yummy, cold fruit juices. The girls’ first trip to Bali showed me many new angles about my favorite island. This awesome holiday could only be better if Kris had been a part of it. That’s a very good reason to come back next year, right?

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Then it was time to pack our back, check-out, and head to a secret beach before going to the countryside.

The road to a not-so secret beach

The secret beach we went to actually is not a secret anymore. Pandawa beach, a name given by the local government, used to be called Secret Beach. It’s a 30-mins drive from Seminyak, going to direction of Ungasan, Uluwatu. It was very easy to get there with the help of GPS from my mobile phone, and this time I didn’t get lost at all. Woohooo.. I’m finally “localized” Btw, if you want to use GPS as well, to find location, do input: Bali Cliff. Once you reach Jalan Bali Cliff, just follow the sign to Pandawa beach.

The beauty of Pandawa beach is difficult to describe. Although, there are quite a number of tourists there but it was still rather an empty beach. This was simply the best beach we visited during this holiday. I’ll just let the pictures speak on behalf of this white and soft sand beach. Heavenly.

There are 6 shrines which each of the Pandawas occupies

Pandawa beach was a fishing and seaweed cultivation village

Still quite empty

Enjoying their time at a pristine beach to the fullest

We’ll be back!!

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First act, getting up earlier to get to the pool.

happy mini swimmer

After 2 hours in the pool, breakfast and shower, we were ready to push ourselves to leave our comfy hotel and off to Kuta Square since Raissa wanted to buy the sand tools to build sandcastle before going to, as I told her, a very very beautiful beach today. We didn’t spend much time there, and once we found what we wanted, we left because we want to see some monkeys.

I told the kids that they’re gonna see monkeys up-close. At first, I wanted to take them to see monkey in Ubud with a personal hidden agenda early dinner at Dirty Ducks. That mission failed because the silly monkey who drove the car couldn’t read the map good enough yet, so when I saw roadsign directing to Sangeh I opted to take them there instead.

I was a bit worried to take them there because Sangeh monkeys are notorious for bad behaviors, snapping cameras or bags or jewelries or whatever the visitors hold. A monkey took my mom’s sandal when she visited it two years ago. I imagined Raissa and Fiamma would be petrified seeing shrieking monkeys swinging wildly between trees.

It turned out there was nothing to worry about and we had a good time there. The monkeys were rather docile and friendly. We fed them peanuts which they took gently from our hands. No monkey went crazy. Thank God. Btw, the whole time in Bali I noticed a lot of ads offering many activities with elephants, at different places too. From education show to riding, feeding, to bathing Dumbo relatives. There’s even a lodge that bears elephant on its name and guests will be escorted to their room on an elephant! We skipped a chance to interact with them this time because I don’t think it’s safe with Fiamma still not fully understands safety instruction.

Can you guess what went through my mind?

Enough fun with the monkey, we all longed for another beach. After reading about Bingin Beach, I’m sold at the words secluded, hidden gem, and tranquil beach. From Sangeh, I drove directly to Pecatu, Uluwatu. The sweetest thing happened on our way to Bingin. Raissa and Fiamma sang me Happy Birthday cheerfully clapping their little hands. Yep, today, it’s actually my birthday! I wish Kris was with us in Bali.

Anyhooo,  I got better in reading the map from my mobile phone but still had to make a few detours. Passing the Padang-Padang beach, there were many tourists wanting to see the sunset thus creating a bit of heavy traffic. I was tempted to just stop there too because the time was almost 5 p.m. and I really should have! But this silly monkey me, upon seeing too many people there, and then the parking-man said that Bingin beach is only 10 minutes away and I firmed my will to get to a tranquil beach.

We finally arrived at the parking area of Bingin beach slightly after 5 p.m. and I asked the locals for direction to the beach. The locals, while gave me direction, also asked me why I want to go to beach so late. They then asked if I’m going to stay overnight there. When I replied that we did not plan to stay the night there, they told me to seriously consider turning around because the path to the beach was too steeped. I was already disheartened upon hearing their advice, but Raissa had said repeatedly that she wanted to go to beach to build sandcastle. She was very consistent in asking when we’re gonna get to the beach and as a birthday gift for me, I just wanted to spend and end the day with my girls happy.

Not wanting to waste anymore time, we rushed down the path to the beach. I carried Fiamma in my loyal babyhwak carrier and held Raissa’s hand. We started to walk down the cobbled path and I thought the path was easy to walk on so I don’t care if it’s a long way down. We were happily walking for the next 10 minutes until the cobbled path ended and we encountered the steep steps to get down the cliff and on to the beach.

The steep steps.. this is probably about three-quarter distance away from the beach.

pic is taken from here

The steps started to daunt me. It was so steep, so high, and zigzag-ing and… the area was not well-lit. I told Raissa that we might have to turn around and she said ok. We could NOT see the beach, that’s how steep it was. Yet, we could see the ocean already which was enough to recharge Raissa’s energy and so we marched on. About 10 minutes later, we arrived at the beach. I ran out of breath, while Raissa quickly dumped all her new sand tools and started digging sand. Fiamma fortunately was a bit calm at Bingin beach, otherwise I could not imagine having to struggle keeping her off the water. I started feeding them dinner because it’s already over 6 p.m. and I’m haunted with hungry crying babies on our climb back up.

Bingin Beach is really a surfing paradise. Most of the tourists staying there are surfers. Feast for mama’s eyes :p  The beach is actually quite pretty and I can imagine a romantic stay here because all of the accommodations actually sit on a cliff. The accommodations are all look rather modest but inviting. However, I would not recommend it for family with young children, definitely not for children under age 5. The path or rather the steps there were really steep so it’s dangerous for young children. We stayed there for only half-hour because it turned really dark on the beach and its surrounding.

Finally…the tough-earned Bingin beach

Oh my, what a cardio exercise to climb up the cliff. I was out for breath after 5 minutes and took a break for a minute, and then… Raissa said that she needs to go to the loo. We headed to the nearest cafe to use their toilet, and I also ordered a large bottle of mineral water and coke. I did feel I need all the sugar boost to finish Bingin challenge. If you google to see how steep Bingin’s steps are, no picture can justify it because not only it’s steep but as I said earlier it went zig-zag, instead of a straight line. So it’s a steep and long path.

Raissa was a real trooper. She walked up on her own feet. She didn’t let me take a break because she was more scared of the dark than feeling tired We did not, of course, carry any flashlight. Note to everyone, flashlight is so important when you consider staying at Bingin beach. I’m not sure how long it took for us to came out from the stone-and-gravel steps but it felt like forever. I felt relieved already when we finally finished with the steps and reached the cobbled path again.

Once we were on the cobbled path, luck was with us. A tall, big, and well-built Balinese guy (he might be just a slight smaller than Ade Rai) carrying a flashlight happened to walk behind us. I told him to just walk past us because I was afraid that we would slow him down if we walked in front of him. He turned down my suggestion and continued to walk behind us and lit the path for us with his flashlight. Once we got to the area with some street lights, he asked if he can help me carrying Fiamma. At first I turned down his offer because that would make me feel bad, but he insisted that it’s ok, so I finally gave in. He took over Fiamma and when we chatted a bit more, he said he owns car rental business and that he lives in Seminyak as well. Perfect. I immediately asked him if I can follow him back to Seminyak, being a nice guy he of course said yes and even gave me his name card with his mobile number. He said if we get separated I can call him up for direction. Phheeww, bless you, bli Nyoman. I can finally let my inadeqaute map-reading skill a break.

The kids fell asleep on the way back to the hotel, and watching them sleeping in bed that night, I thank God for blessing me with an exciting day on my birthday with my most precious treasures. I love you to the moon and back girls and Happy Birthday to me *cheers*

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From our balcony.. Life is good, eh Fiamma?

First, I re-affirm that it’s best to travel during the kids’ sleeping time. Very little hassle even for an adult travelling with two toddlers. Fiamma did roam around the Soetta airport mopping the floor with herself, but just before the plane took off, she fell asleep and didn’t wake up till Bali morning sun greeted her the next morning. While Raissa… just a perfect travel buddy. Her sanguine-self is just the best partner-in-crime for any adventure.

Our first stop is of course the touristiest spot: Kuta-Legian-Seminyak gang. This is the girls first trip to Bali so I think it’s best to start with the basics  We stayed at Arana Suite. It’s a new small hotel with only 32 chic rooms decorated just the way I’d do my tropical home. Located in Seminyak but not the area where KuDeTa and all that expensive hangout places on Jl. Petitenget crowd together. It sits on Jl. Nakula (just off Sunset Road) and although it’s not within short walking distance to the beach but it’s still close to all the conveniences, such as Starbucks, McD and other small local eateries and stores. The hotel also provides drop-off service to Kuta beach and Double6 beach three times a day. For me, the serenity of the hotel’s immediate surrounding, being away from the loudness of partying drunks, is perfect for family travelling with little children.

Our comfy bed in our cozy room

The pool we abused lovingly

The hotel has a nice swimming pool but unfortunately no kids pool. Nonetheless, the kids armed with floating armband  and vest relished the pool every morning as soon as they left the bed, after breakfast, and tempted to plunge into it again before they hit the bed. Actually, I think they would be just as happy to stay by the pool at the hotel the whole time if I didn’t let them know that they are surrounded by white-sand beaches. But their momma has a big mouth and the words about nice beaches were out in noooo time.

First stop, the closest beach to our hotel: Kuta.

Kuta beach.. welll, just like what any google search result would tell you. White-sand beach, packed with people, too many vendors offering everything from drink to massage and hair-braiding service, but it’s all fun. I was happy to find Kuta beach much much cleaner and less packed from my last visit. The kids had a blast here. Too much fun that Fiamma had to change clothes 3 times because she always pushed her way back to the ocean and I simply couldn’t drag her off the water and sand quick enough!

We then had a quick lunch on Kuta main street while waiting for our rented car to be delivered. Yep, I rented a small KIA Picanto car almost the whole time we were there. At first, I thought I could just use taxi everywhere but travelling with two super-energized kids, it was much easier to have a car with us so I don’t need to carry them too long too often. I would recommend any family travelling with small children to just rent a car in Bali. It’s definitely much cheaper than going around by taxi. I rented mine for Rp. 150k/day (24hours, no driver).

As soon as I had a car, we went back to the hotel for a quick nap, and out again before sunset to drive around the city. The goal for the evening is to have dinner at Warung Eny in Seminyak. The warung is so small and really is a warung, that is difficult to find. It’s nothing fancy but the food is oh-sooooo-delish! We had corn-fritters (bakwan jagung), Balinese-spiced chicken (ayam betutu) and grilled snapper with garlic flavoring, and they were all divine. I bagged whatever we didn’t finish and ate them the next day, and all were still good. Truly fingers licking good meals.

We went back to the hotel after dinner and straight to bed with happy tummy. Day 1 ended a bit early as we wanted to take it easy and because I’ve planned for a more adventurous activities for Day 2.

. My beach babes

Outfit #2

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Cerita yang bisa bikin saya di pagi buta begini untuk menulis pasti cerita galau. Kalau bukan galau tingkat tinggi, mendingan tidur aja deh sambil kemulan sama anak-anak. Papanya anak-anak? Ada ituuu baru pulang. Disini lah curhatannya mulai dicolong :p

Kris lagi sibuk banget sudah 3 bulan ini.. banyak mencatatkan rekor baru deh buat keluarganya. Rekor 2 kali ke London dalam waktu 2 bulan, kalau pas di Jakarta paling cepat sampai rumah jam setengah 2 pagi sering banget jarum jam nyerempet angka 5 baru melintas pintu rumah, dan hampir tiap minggu ada konsinyering. Sungguh rasanya seperti lagi menjalankan long-distance relationship soalnya seringan kita berkoordinasi lewat telpon.

Sebenarnya saya juga lagi sibuk di kantor, setiap bulan ada biztrip keluar kota. Tapi kalau dibandingkan dengan kesibukan Kris, rasanya sibuknya saya cemen banget. Dari semua huru-hara sok sibuk ini, yang paling bikin sedih ya, kita jadi ngga bisa liburan keluarga di saat sudah jenuh.

Saat semua urusan untuk berlibur sudah siap, Kris tidak dikasih cuti. Huuhuuuuu… Ngga asyik banget deh. Dan menyebalkan sungguh. Buat saya yang Alhamdulillah kerja di kantor yang sangat menghargai cuti sebagai hak penuh pekerja jadi jarang permintaan cuti ditolak, malahan  tidak pernah mengalami permohonan cutinya ditolak , urusan cuti di kantor berbasis Indonesia bikin gemes. Sudahlah jatah cuti tahunannya sedikit (1 hari per bulan atau 12 hari setahun itu terlalu sedikit ya Pak Menaker), tidak boleh diambil sekaligus, wajib dipotong cuti bersama, dan masih bisa ditolak pula permohonan cuti pekerja. TER-LA-LU.

Sedangkan pengalaman saya selama kerja, cuti benar-benar hak pekerja yang sangat dihormati oleh kantor. Kalau memang ada masa yang diperkirakan akan hectic beban kerjanya, minimal 1 bulan sebulan akan ada surat cinta dari Boss kantor yang memohon pekerja untuk tidak mengambil cuti dari tanggal sekian sampai sekian. Itupun kalau pekerjanya tetap mengajukan cuti karena sudah terlanjur beli tiket murmer bergembira, ijin cuti tetap akan keluar. Sepertinya kantor internasional lebih mahfum ada beda kemampuan belanja pekerja dengan Boss yang sanggup beli tiket pesawat first class open-date sehari sebelum keliling dunia. Sedangkan yang namanya pekerja pasti carinya tiket promo yang harganya sudah dibanting-banting.  Biasanya tiket promo seperti itu harus dibeli setengah tahun sebelumnya. Minimal 3 bulan sebelum jadwal keberangkatan. Kalau pekerja mengajukan cuti tolong langsung disetujui saja lah. Kasihan kan sudah sanggupnya beli kelas ekonomi, etapi… harus dihangusin tiketnya.

So if I am a Boss.. I’ll make sure I respect human needs for rest and recuperation. Annual leave 2 days/month and can be taken anytime at employees’ discretion.

And if I am a Boss, if I know my staff is working over 15 hours a day for more than 1 month, that means the office is understaffed. Start recruiting at least temp assistance.

BTW… Kris bukan buruh pabrik panci di Tangerang yang lagi heboh di berita itu lho yaaa.

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I wish tis’ the view from my backyard

Liburan murah meriah, pantai pasir putih, ada unsur edukasi untuk anak dan anak-anak penyu yang lucu dimana hayoo?

Aceh? Bali? Lombok? Benar semuaaaa. Tapi ada lagi yang tempatnya lebih dekat ke Jakarta lho.Yaitu di Ujung Genteng! Dan wiken 4 hari di bulan Oktober lalu, kami sekeluarga menghabiskannya disana.

Ujung Genteng adalah kawasan ekowisata pantai di daerah Laut Selatan. Masuk dalam administrative kabupaten Sukabumi, Ujung Genteng “bersebelahan” dengan Pelabuhan Ratu. Kalau berangkat dari Jakarta, kita akan menuju arah Pelabuhan Ratu namun berbelok kearah Timur dan kira-kira setelah menyetir 2.5 jam kemudian sampai di Ujung Genteng. Total perjalanan darat dari Jakarta – Ujung Genteng adalah 10 jam. Sudah termasuk waktu untuk makan siang (yang lama karena harus nyuapin 2 anak kecil) sholat, dan berhenti berkali-kali untuk bergantian duduk dibelakang setir.

Jam 8 malam, akhirnya sampai juga kami sampai di penginapan yang sudah saya pesan jauh-jauh hari. Dan saya menyesal. Penginapannya sangat terpencil dan untuk fasilitas dan rupanya kemahalan. Padahal ke Ujung Genteng ini karena ingin liburan yang murah meriah. Untung ketika makan malam, penjaga penginapan menanyakan apakah kami tertarik untuk melihat penyu bertelur malam ini. Mata yang tadi sudah terasa sepet mendadak terang lagi, dan tentu saja kami jawab iya. …. untuk cerita selengkapnya, tentang :

Penyu bertelur…

“Starfruit” Turtle at Pangumbahan Beach

Anak penyu, aka tukik, yang lucu…

Live on cute babies

silakan jalan-jalan ke Backpackology ya.

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Dengan sekian banyaknya informasi tapi DBD tetap menjadi momok yang menyeramkan. Masih banyak korban DBD yang meninggal. Salah satu alasannya karena DBD tidak ada obatnya. Biasanya penderita yang diketahui terjangkit virus DBD, selain memastikan asupan gizi yang masuk baik dan cukup, pasti diharuskan meningkatkan pemasukan cairan ke tubuh untuk meningkatkan level trombositnya. Tergantung alat dan referensi rumah sakit, tapi dari pengalaman mengurus anak yang baru sembuh dari DBD, minimal level trombosit normal adalah 150 ribu. Dibawah itu ba-ha-ya maka penderita sebaiknya segera dirawat inap untuk diinfus demi memastikan cukup banyak cairan yang masuk ke tubuh. Apalagi bila yang terkena DBD adalah anak-anak. Begitu level trombosit sudah dibawah minimum sebaiknya segera di rawat inap saja karena meminta anak untuk bolak-balik minum susah-susah gampang euy. Ih udah panjang aja ini kata pengantarnya, padahalnya cuma mau cerita kalau Raissa baru kemarin keluar dari rumah sakit setelah dirawat dari DBD.

Maksud hati disini mau berbagi dan mengingatkan kembali pentingnya orang tua untuk waspada atas bahaya DBD. Untuk orang tua lebih baik parno daripada menyesal. Terbukti dari pengalaman dengan Raissa kemarin.

Selasa siang, dapat laporan dari si Mbak kalau perempuan kecil yang aktif banget itu mulai hangat badannya setelah pulang sekolah. Saya minta untuk dicek suhu badannya (penting! punya anak kecil harus punya thermometer di rumah! harus harus harus! tuh sampai ditulis 3x) tapi ternyata masih dibawah 37.5 berarti belum bisa dibilang demam. Kalau kata orang Jawa, badannya sumeng. Saya minta kepada si Mbak untuk terus pantau suhu badannya dulu dan membaca buku tumbuh kembang anak-nya Raissa untuk referensi berapa takaran dosis penurun panas yang sudah dianjurkan oleh DSA kalau nanti Raissa harus dikasih obatnya.

Sekitar jam 3 sore, si Mbak menelpon lagi kalau suhu badan Raissa sudah mencapai 38 jadi akhirnya saya minta untuk anaknya diminumin obat penurun panas. Pulaang kantor, begitu sampai di rumah Raissa langsung ngoceh panjang kalau dia badannya panas jadi nggak pergi ke TPA untuk kelas mengaji. Anaknya masih kelihatan aktif walau agak sayu. Saya pegang kening dan lehernya rasanya sudah panas banget. Cek lagi suhunya dan masih diatas 38, setelah hitung 4 jam dari jarak pemberian obat pertama, jam 7 Raissa minum obat penurun panas lagi. Waktu saya tanya ke Mbak tentang nafsu makan dan minumnya, laporannya Raissa tetap makan dan minum banyak. Tapi bahkan setelah dikasih obat hampir semalaman, demamnya stabil. Stabil diatas 38 terus. Beberapa kali saya kompres dengan handuk yang direndam di air biasa (bukan air dingin) dan walau menurunkan suhunya sedikit tapi masih termasuk kategori demam.

Besok hari Rabu-nya, Raissa saya suruh tinggal di rumah aja karena sepertinya butuh istirahat. Ketika mau berangkat ke kantor, suhu badannya sih normal. Ke Mbak saya pesan aja untuk memastikan Raissa makan banyak dan terutama sering-sering minum. Sekitar jam 11, PapaDatu’, Taya (adik saya), plus keluarga adik saya yang satu lagi: the Z family (Zio Lorenzo, Zia Ayu, dan Zazu) datang jenguk. Kecuali PapaDatu’, mereka semua juga mau menginap di sarang burung. Menjelang jam 2, Mbak telpon lagi laporan kalau suhu badan Raissa mulai panas lagi mencapai 38 lebih. Jadi saya minta Raissa untuk dikasih obatnya lagi. Ayu yang sempat kelayapan lagi ke PP juga ikut menelpon dengan laporan kalau Lorenzo yang ditinggal di sarang burung dengan Zazu bilang Raissa demam tinggi dan menawarkan untuk dikasih obat penurun panasnya Zazu aja. Sampai di sarang burung, saya raba badannya Raissa memang terasa panas banget. Ketika di cek, suhunya sudah 39.4. Waakks! Persis seperti sehari sebelumnya, semalaman sampai tengah malam anak ini demam tinggi. Esokannya, Kamis, cycle demamnya pun masih berulang. Demamnya baru hilang sepenuhnya mulai Jum’at.

Sebenarnya Jum’at malam, setelah lewat hitungan 3 hari sejak mulai demam, maunya bawa Raissa untuk tes darah. Telpon lab katanya mereka buka sampai jam 8 malam. Apa daya karena traffic hari Jum’at itu memang kutukan buat warga Jakarta, baru bisa menyentuh pagar rumah MamaUo aja jam setengah 8, cuma buroq yang bisa mengantarkan kita ke lab kurang dari setengah jam. Ketemu Raissa kelihatan seperti anak sehat biasa. Lagi lari-lari dalam rumah sambil ketawa-ketawa, tanpa demam.

Sabtu paginya, MamaUo tanya apakah jadi mau bawa Raissa untuk tes darah. Lihat anaknya seperti sehat jadi galau deh. Jadi bilang ke MamaUo, iya kayanya, nanti siangan. Siangnya pas lagi lunch  di GrandLucky merasa ada yang aneh dari penampakan Raissa. Sekitarnya lehernya agak merah, tapi bukan bintik-bintik. Anaknya sendiri tetap aktif, tapi kalau diperhatikan seperti agak sayu kalau anaknya lagi diam. Akhirnya diputuskan untuk langsung bawa Raissa buat tes darah.

Sampai di UGD, dokter jaga yang masih sangat muda heran melihat saya membawa anak yang secara penampilan klinisnya sehat wal afiat. Ya kalau lihat anak yang begitu disuruh naik tempat tidur UGD langsung kelincahan terlentang, balik tengkurap, balik terlentang dan begitu lihat senter dokter langsung mangap pamer lidah, bikin satu UGD ketawa, dokternya juga bingung kenapa saya minta anak pecicilan di tes darah. Karena melihat saya galau, walau sudah mengatakan kalau anaknya sehat dan tidak perlu tes darah, akhirnya dokternya setuju untuk menulis rujukan untuk tes darah rutin.

Kira-kira 40 menit kemudian, dokter UGD menghampiri saya bilang “Bu, ternyata Ibu lebih pinter dari saya. Trombosit Raissa sudah dibawah normal.” Kesimpulan dokter, Raissa memang terkena DBD (Dengue Fever). Hasil tes darah, level trombosit Raissa 95,000 tapi karena dokternya melihat si bocah aktif banget banget, menyarankan untuk tidak rawat inap dengan catatan saya harus sering memberikan cairan ke Raissa dan setelah 24 jam, anaknya harus di tes darah ulang.

Begitu dinyatakan DBD, banyak saran masuk untuk memberikan jus jambu merah, sari kurma, angkak, akar pohon entah apa, dan obat cina lain. Awalnya saya kasih Raissa jus jambu merah yang sukses bikin anaknya marah-marah karena nggak suka. Satu gelas jus jambu baru habis 2 jam kemudian, itupun setelah saya paksa. Akhirnya saya pasrah, terserah anaknya mau minum apa aja yang penting sering.

Minggu siang, begitu Kris masuk rumah dari airport baru balik biztrip ke London, langsung laporan kalau Raissa sakit DBD dan setelah makan siang harus tes darah ulang. Sebenarnya Kris sudah tahu sejak Raissa demam hari pertama, tapi hasil tes darahnya dan diagnosa DBD-nya belum. Setelah lunch di Ah Mei Puri Mall, kita bertiga menyebrang ke RSPI Puri untuk tes darah ulang. Yakin banget kalau hasil darahnya pasti bagus karena Raissa makannya banyak (lebih dari cukup) dan minumnya juga.

Akhirnya dipanggil juga untuk dibacakan hasil tes darahnya. Dan hasilnya buruk Trombosit level Raissa turun lagi, ke level 86,000. Staff yang membacakan hasil rekomendasikan untuk segera rawat inap. Dengan pertimbangan agar lebih mudah mondar-mandir ke sarang burung, Kris dan saya memutuskan untuk rawat inap di RS. Asri (dan karena memang saya lebih nge-fans sama Asri aja). Sesampainya di UGD RS. Asri dan bertemu dengan dokter jaga yang sama dengan sehari sebelumnya. Kebetulan DSA yang biasa ditemui kalau lagi ke Asri sedang jadwal visit. Begitu diperiksa oleh DSA, rekomendasinya pun sama harus rawat inap (ranap). Malah seharusnya sejak kemarin begitu ketahuan level trombositnya dibawah normal. DSA-nya jadi menegur dokter jaga UGD deh.

Lebih tenang akhirnya setelah Raissa mulai diranap tapi juga ngga tegaaaaaaa. DBD itu ternyata penyakit yang sangat menguras emosi karena harus bolak balik melihat anaknya di-infus plus tes darah setiap hari. Setiaaaaaappp hari membekap anaknya setiap kena jarum suntik. Sampai anaknya trauma setiap melihat suster atau dokter. Kalau ada suster masuk kamar untuk check suhu, begitu lihat Raissa langsung panik “aku mau diapain Ma? aku mau diapain? Aku ga mau disuntik.”  :(((((( Sedih banget dehhhh.

Yang bisa bikin emak-emak cuek kaya saya nangis adalah kalau lihat pemandangan seperti ini

Untungnya Raissa termasuk pasien yang gampang. Nafsu makannya baik dan mau disuruh minum banyak asal bukan  jus jambu merah, sari kurma, angkak, dan rebusan akar pohon Tiga malam ranap, dan hari ke-4 trombositnya sudah di level 240,000. Yayyy!

Lesson-learned ya Ibu-ibu. Kalau anak demam tinggi dan suhunya susah turun sampai dibawah 37.5 walau sudah berulangkali dikasih obat penurun panas, pasti serangan virus. Biasanya demam bukan DBD kalau dikasih obat, suhu badannya akan turun dulu ke normal walau mungkin saja beberapa jam kemudian kembali lagi demamnya. Tapi dari pengalaman kemarin, saya curiga DBD karena demamnya Raissa terus-terusan diatas 38 walau sudah bolak-balik dikasih obat penurun panas. Kalau sampai begitu, segera setelah 3 hari berlalu, biarpun anaknya tidak demam lagi dan tampak amat sangat sehat, tetap dibawa ke RS/lab untuk tes darah. Menurut saya jangan sebelum itu juga karena kalau di tes darah sebelum 3 hari, nanti hasilnya kurang akurat. Dan kalau hasil tes menyatakan level trombositnya sudah dibawah 150,000, langsung rawat inap. Karena seperti kata sepupu saya yang pintar dan lulusan FK-UI, membedakan anak yang lemas dan mengantuk itu susah. Sedangkan anak yang lemas itu tanda bahaya tingkat tinggi dalam kasus DBD. Ibaratnya kalau jadi Obama, presiden sudah harus tekan tombol merah. Artinya sudah amat sangat genting.

But there’s always an exception and I’m not a doctor.  Ada teman yang cerita, setelah 3 anaknya diranap karena DBD, ketika mau pulang dari RS, suaminya mengeluh merasa lemas. Walau tidak demam tapi dokternya menyarankan untuk langsung tes darah dan hasilnya trombosit level sudah 15,000 sehingga harus tranfusi darah. Jadi kesimpulannya, sepertinya harus lebih peka saja dengan keluhan-keluhan orang terdekat kita. Apalagi kalau sedang ada wabah DBD terutama setelah hujan atau banjir. Periksa darah saja langsung. Lagi-lagi, lebih baik parno daripada menyesal seumur hidup.

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….I still came to the office and worked till mid-day

….my uncle called asking me to pick up something from his store in Blok M for my dad

….I picked up the thing from my uncle which turned out to be a newspaper Suara Minang so my extended family can read about the latest news about Minang community group

….in an effort to teach Raissa the joy of sharing and giving, Kris took her to RSCM Kids ward to help my cousin and her friends giving goodie bags to the children in-treatment there

….my cousin said that Raissa was quite helpful and unwavered in handing out the goodie bags to the patients in the hospital

….afternoon, Kris and Raissa picked me up from work and we thought we’re going to spend the last hours of 2012 by enjoying the events organized by apartment management

….as soon as I got home, my sister called saying that PapaDatu’ was so sick that he had to be rushed to ER

….I rushed to parents’ house, dropped my kids with MamaUo, and with Kris and Fahra rushed Dad to ER

….stayed at ER for 4 hours

….we checked into a inpatient room just 1 hour before midnight

….at midnight I watched the fireworks from the hospital window

….I was grateful for my sisters and I can take good care of our parents.

Happy New Year!!

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Setelah selesai nobar (dengan papa, mama, adik, Tante BPPT, dan sepupu anaknya Tante, plus Raissa yang baru mulai sakit mata), saya semakin penasaran ingin tahu lebih banyak tentang the Crackman, tentang IPTN dan pesawat-pesawat yang dibuat, tentang keputusan “faktor” IMF, pokoknya selama 2 hari setelah selesai menonton saya mengugel segala sesuatu yang saya dengar dan lihat di film atau hal-hal yang berkaitan lainnya. Hasil kegiatan kepo saya ini, membuat saya lebih mengagumi Bapak Habibie dan membuat saya sedih dengan nasib PT DI, terutama setelah saya membaca kolom ini.

Di penghujung akhir tahun ini, saya berharap semoga negara Indonesia ini dianugerahkan lebih banyak orang-orang seperti Bapak Habibie dan Ibu Ainun, walau saya sadar tentunya beliau bukanlah manusia yang paripurna. Tentunya beliau berdua pun pasti memiliki kekurangan, yang mungkin tidak akan saya ketahui.  Hati ini berdoa semoga semakin banyak manusia Indonesia yang pandai, percaya diri dan ingin memberikan sesuatu kepada negaranya.

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Setelah Erlia bikin giveaway, gantian Meta yang terinspirasi dan buat giveaway juga, dengan tema baking. #GoBakeGiveaway judulnya. Hadiahnya lucu-lucuuuu, jadilah saya ngeramein arena  Dan setelah isi komen, trus kok jadi pengen ya bikin giveaway juga. Kan katanya.. share and you’ll be blessed yaaaa.

Yukk.. saya pikir-pikir dulu apa ya tema untuk giveaway nya. Any suggestion?

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