After our very delicious dinner the night before my dear husband awoke in the early hours in incredible pain. He had succumbed to severe food poisoning, I suspect from a noodle stall on the quay when he walked back from Gurney Plaza.
As soon as possible the next day I went in search of a chemist. It was a blistering hot day unlike the day before. Well I searched in vain as I remembered it was a public holiday so had to make do with some gatorade I found in a mini mart. Of course we had to revise all plans and just stay close to the hotel.
Anyway to cut a long story short, the next day we found a chemist and bought appropriate medication. Around lunchtime he rallied and we went for lunch.
My crazy husband decided to eat a laksa for lunch, thinking he’s iron man. He then got up and said he felt dizzy and walked to the door where he promptly collapsed in the alley outside. I went slightly hysterical at that point and yelled for help. He was so unresponsive that I thought he had had a stroke. I can’t say enough good things about the people who rushed to our aid. An ambulance was called and off he went with me to find my own way.
Thankfully he was admitted straightaway to Penang General Hospital and was soon hooked up to fluids. I went back to the hotel where I called my son, his girlfriend and my daughter. Maddy, Laurence’s girlfriend was the first to answer and got the full brunt of my hysteria. Finally I spoke to Laurence who calmed me down. I decided to go back to the hospital and not wait for their phone call.
The Doctor said she wanted to keep him overnight but Anthony said no, it was quite a basic hospital with what he calls “starter block” toilets. So we went off armed with a prescription which we tried to fill at the hospital pharmacy, but his arm started spurting blood so we had to walk all the way back to ED to get this bandaged up.
We were supposed to be leaving the next day for Langkawi but I made the executive decision to stay another day in Penang, which in hindsight was a good decision.
Thanks for reading and hopefully I will be posting more positive stories in the next few days!
Discover more from Travels with Ali
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Oh no! A brush with food poisoning & a Malaysian hospital is not great on a trip! Poor Anthony. Poor you. On a brighter note – hurray! you are in Malaysia! Can’t wait to catch up on your trip up to now …
Hope Anthony is feeling better by now and that you can enjoy Langkawi.
Aww thanks Ju Lyn, he may have got better quicker if he didn’t keep eating the spicy food!
You know, Loving Husband is exactly like that … even when he has a spice-induced malady, he continues consuming copious amounts! What is it with these spice addicts? 😂
They think they are invincible!
Oh dear. It does tend to linger unfortunately, he’s probably still feeling a bit off colour I imagine. Hopefully things will look up from here and you’ll both be free to enjoy Malaysia.
Thanks Phil 😊
Thanks Phil, yes on the mend and drinking lots of tea!
Hi Phil
Just saw no test needed now to enter the States
Good news for you and Michaela
Yes, thank you for thinking of us – it’s good news!
Oh dear….hoping things improve soon
Thanks Sue
Slowly slowly does it
Oh dear, that sounds an especially nasty attack of food poisoning, and a scary time for you. I’m a bit prone to such attacks myself but there’s no way I’d attempt to eat anything spicy the following day – plain rice and bananas are my usual ‘recovery’ dishes 🙂 I hope he’s feeling better now and you’re both able to enjoy the rest of your trip!
Thanks for your comment Sarah
I can probably say it was one of the worst times of my life! I did tell him not to eat spicy food! Anyway he’s on the mend now 🙂
That’s good to hear 🙂
Nothing worse than food poisoning! Especially away from home. Bless your hearts, it sounds like you both handled it like troopers. Hopefully all is well now, and you are on your way to another adventure. I’m impressed with how you’ve shown us that travel is not all unicorns and rainbows. Hugs to both of you.
Thanks Kellye
Much better now and I’ll have to be more prepared next time!
How scary to have that happen so far away from home. Sending all wishes for his speedy recovery!
Aww thanks Meg
He’s much better. My daughter said we can’t travel alone anymore!
The food looks delicious but you never know. I hope you both are doing well and can enjoy the rest of your trip.
Thanks so much John (is that correct) we are relaxing in Langkawi at the moment
I feel so bad for hubby. Lucky he was able to recover easily so you can enjoy the coming days!
Thanks Teresa, slowly but surely
Yes, that’s the way to go.
Heck, I saw the follow up post first, Alison, so had to back track to see what had happened. Glad he’s over it!
Thanks Jo, slowly getting back to normal
Oh dear. I’m glad all is well now. That must have given you a terrible fright.
Yes it sure did, the worst of my life
What an experience this was for you both Ali, I’m so glad it all ended well!
Thanks Debbie yes it was pretty harrowing!