My First 999

As I inscribe these words, I weave the memory of one of the most harrowing moments that has etched itself into the tapestry of my life—a memory that was invoked when I dialed 999 for the very first time.

I've often found myself contemplating the enigmatic threads of destiny, wondering if I would ever stand as a witness to a critical juncture demanding the summoning of police assistance. Would I be the silent observer, urging help to the scene, or would I find myself engulfed in the grip of adversity?

In an unexpected twist, I became both—the recipient of aid and the helper, though my aid was directed toward my own self. In the midst of an emergency, I stood isolated, with no one to rely on but myself, a single soul navigating through the tempest.

25 May 2023

It was my final paper for Spring Semester 2023 examinations, I had a good day celebrating it with 4 of my friends at Zus Coffee before heading back home. For even a split second never had I thought that a happy day would turn 180 degrees within a couple hours later, masyaaAllah. I packed my bag for my planned holiday and my flight was scheduled at 9:30 am tomorrow morning 26 May. That was my first overseas trip, and I was overwhelmed with excitement for a forthcoming escapade to Medan, Indonesia—a journey of exploration to unearth the geographical wonders of Danau Toba and the majestic volcanoes of Berastagi.

At 5:30 pm, I drove back from uni campus in Semenyih back to Sungai Buloh, during the journey, I stopped at Shell Semenyih to fuel up my car and grab some snacks as I had not had any meals since morning. That was when Umi called and checked on me and we were both really excited about our plans the next day. My eyes got onto my favourite savouries, the Chicken Floss bun, and right next to it there was a newer version of Sambal Chicken Floss Bun. I bought that to fill up my stomach and continued my journey back home.

While driving, I munched on the bun and it was reaaallly spicy. As soon as I finished the whole bun, I realized I started to hyper-ventilating, assuming it was due to the spiciness. Realizing that I had no water with me so I kept on driving until only 3 minutes later I felt a weird tingling sensation under the skins of my eyelids, face, hands and legs. My eyes were twitching non-stop and slowly my hands started to feel numb. 

Strucked by the realization that those were the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, a severe allergic reaction that I had been suffering with since 2020. I panicked because I knew this could escalate quickly, causing inflammation in my throat and nose, making it hard to breathe. I've been warded from this kind of reaction before, but this time I was driving alone and didn't have my allergy medication with me. This was my mistake – I had been careless because I hadn't had an allergic attack in months,  so I kind of took it for granted :'( 

I quickly set my Google Maps to find the nearest pharmacy, which was about 5 minutes away. The hospital was further, around 30 minutes. I thought I should get to the pharmacy first to use my medications for the initial symptoms and then head to the hospital for the full treatment. While driving, I called my Umi and calmly explained what was happening.

MashaaAllah, the All-Knowing, the Protector. He had tested me on that day. 

I missed a turn, where I was supposed to turn left but I went straight into a highway, the Cheras-Kajang Expressway, from a 5 mins journey, it turned into an 18 mins detour to the pharmacy. In the meantime, just 2-3 mins into the drive the anaphylaxis symptom had progressed from numbness of my limbs into seizures. A sharp, pulling pain in all nerves and joints of both hands and legs came in. My fingers were pulled into the pincer posture and slowly into a full-clenched fist, it felt like something was pulling on your nerves so hard that you are unable to resist it at all, and it was all too painful for me to bear while gasping for air. Both of my legs were also straining for Allah knows how painful it was.  The car was still moving and I tried my best to still be in full control of the steering wheel despite with a clenched fist, strained legs, breathless, and enduring a seizure attack.

Allah Al-Muhaymin. 

That was the moment I knew that I had to stop the car by the roadside or anywhere as long as I did not have to drive anymore. I thank Allah for still allowing me a full mind consciousness, and sharp decision-making ability during such a critical time. It was a Thursday evening peak traffic hour, and it was a challenge to cross the 5-lane highway to get to the emergency side-lane, but alhamdulillah thumma alhamdulillah I made it to the side, parked the car and switched on the emergency blinkers. 

Umi was always on the line since I dialed her number, so I think she might have listened to everything; I was muttering 'allahuakbar allahuakbar' throughout when the seizure came, and I told her I couldn't continue the drive to the pharmacy anymore, that I had to stop by the roadside. 

Umi sounded in such a sympathetic and panicked voice, she asked me to roll down the windows and wave my hands asking for help from any passers-by. I recollected all strength that was left in my body, and waved my hands from the driver's window, hoping that any motorists or drivers could stop by and help me. But biiznillah, nobody picked my signal, nobody noticed me, and I couldn't even scream 'Help'. 

I remember that the last thing I wanted was to make my Umi worry too much about me, the previous anaphylaxis attacks I had made her vulnerable, too shocked, panicked and she was extremely scared of losing me forever. But I couldn't hold back my tears behind the excruciating pain anymore, I cried because I felt hopeless and helpless. Behind the line, Umi, Ayah and my eldest sister were listening, they were trying their best to calm me, aid me and contact our nearby relatives to rush to my location.

At times like this, 'Laa Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah' is my strength word. There is no power and no strength, except with Allah. It is an admission that I am not able to do anything without the help and support from Allah.

In my cracking voice, I spoke to them,

"Umi, I think I have to call the ambulance. No one notices me..." 

I couldn't even use my fingers to dial the phone, they were all clenched, frozen and had turned bluish. I pressed on the screen with my knuckles to send live location to my family group chat. I was still in the Kajang area, which is around 60 km away from my family home. Thus the reason why my family had to send our relatives who live in Semenyih to help me for faster aid, while they were also preparing to rush down.

Thus, I proceeded to dial 999. 

In that instant, the digits converged — 999, an invocation for salvation. Each digit is a plea, an appeal to destiny's tapestry.

It was such a crisis point, the last resort of help I had. Because I couldn't bear this for too long, my airway was tightening by every minute, at some point I could go breathless and lose consciousness due to low oxygen levels. And if after only 5 minutes of losing consciousness and I still did not receive emergency help, I could go into cardiac arrest or brain death. 

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MashaaAllah, thank you Allah that I am actually writing this right now, meaning that I have actually escaped that moment alive :'( 

" I pen these words, alive to tell this tale, a survivor of that somber chapter"

*to be continued

~ Hidup untuk berbakti, Bukan sekadar menikmati ~