The question arises: Is God angry with the Pakistanis and hence we as a nation are being punished? But why and what about the innocent ones like Sher Muhammad who says: Amongst other things he had lost were hundred and twenty bags of maize. “That’s all I had. I have lost everything, my cattle and my orchard of apples that was ready for harvest. But I am grateful to Allah that we are alive.” (Dawn: When water became malevolent: Ismail Khan, Thursday, 19 Aug, 2010). Sher Muhammad seems like a grateful servant of Allah yet he is enveloped in this affliction. One may wonder.

We are always so quick to point fingers at the Creator and have the audacity to question Him – why God Why? Why us? What have WE done wrong? Do we sit to reflect to search for answers to this grave questioning? The question to ask ourselves before we ask Allah about His role of protecting the world and showing His omnipotence by saving and not harming people is: have we fulfilled our role as Muslims submitting wholly to Allah in the society? Have we taken the time out to look into the Qur’an to see what is our purpose of creation? Combine Quran in light of the current happening and the answer is blatant.  The answer in retrospective to these questioning in light of the current happenings around us will point right back at us.

Increased Killing in Islamic Republic of Pakistan

No day goes by when an innocent’s blood has not been shed in vain. Find a day when the news does not show any robbery, daka taking place where a whole network of plotters are not part of that heinous plan. August 2010 has witnessed: the murder of MPA Haider Raza who was killed inside a masjid, the killing of the surgeon, Dr. Javed Shakoor (owner of M.O Memon Hospital) who was just heading to his car, the  recent brutal killing of young Sialkot Brothers (August 15). Dawn News reported in December 2009: LAHORE: Pakistan has topped the list of sacrifices rendered by media persons in the line of duty in eight South Asian states.

According to data collected by the police, target killings began in the city soon after the February 2008 elections. Falling into several categories — ethnic, sectarian and terrorist/militant — the killings have spiked this year, with 228 deaths recorded between January and early August. In the first two weeks of August alone, over 140 people were killed in tit-for-tat violence following the killing of an MQM MPA and an ANP politician. (Coming full circle: violence in Karachi By Cyril Almeida 25 Aug, 2010).

This overlap was with the Holy Month of Ramadan. The fact remains whether it be the Holy Month or not, humans have no right morally, religiously, socially or at any level to take another human life unless under the specific circumstances in light of the Qur’an.

Killing in Light of Religion

Quran says:

Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allâh by committing the major sins) in the land!.[] Maidah 32

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

The Hour will come after a long period of turmoil, His companions asked: ‘What will that turmoil be? The Prophet (pbuh) replied: ‘lots of killing”(Muslim)

Currently small factions of sects and cast and political parties that have been created in Pakistan are killing for no particular reason accept they have been commanded to do so by their leaders. They don’t even realize why they are killing.

Now one might say, well I’m not doing any of the above and nor are the poor victims of the flood or the crash. When you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem? We in fact we make this very society. We may not be killing but are we doing other things which is not helping curb Allah’s anger? The Qur’an has given us our roles – do we do it? Do we amr bil maroof and yanhouna anil munkar – enjoin good and forbid evil. Everyone stood and watched the show of the Sialkot Brothers without budging. They could have at least moved away from the spectatorship and that is the least that could have been done.

Disobedience of God is spreading in our community that you may think is not so unforgivable but small evil leads to big evils. A child takes small steps first and then starts running. When we allow exchange of arms, and small alcohol shops to be opened up in our residential and don’t question when Muslims are the shops’ most prized customers, we are accepting this change. When we accept the indecencies in dress code of our ladies in the society and proudly call it fashion. When we copy all other religions that promote singing and dancing and sadly even justify it, when we lie, backbite, go against our parents will, intermix with the opposite gender or break the smallest of promises do we wonder whether we are making Allah angry? These are all what we are not supposed to be doing and yet we allow it, accept it and hence are content with it.

Allah may be angry but He is so Merciful He is still warning us through these calamities.  There is still a chance to not be like those perished nations mentioned in the Quran. He is reminding our nation – I am still above all that you humans claim. This is our Lord-The Oft Forgiving, who has created the heaven and earth for us, He has given us water in the right measurement for our benefit; He has subjugated the sun, moon and stars to serve us. He has preferred us above all of His creations. What do we do in return for Him? And on the whole if He is angry, it is His will. What we need to worry about is asking for a lot of forgiveness and repent for all our past sins whether big or small. Sins are sins. We need to say sorry Allah, we will try to rectify our ways as you have ordained a way for us to follow – the perfect way; Please forgive us and have Mercy on us as a nation collectively so we can be rightly guided.

Few Buzzes on the topic on various websites:

http://www.buzzvines.com/earthquake-hits-pakistan-lightning-kills-god-angry

http://www.topix.com/forum/world/pakistan/TCM2E4G54VMIQ791Ja

I ask the nation to demand Excellence… from ourselves … from our Heroes… from our nation builders…  Let’s seek again the days where we cherish the true heroes only and not drug addicts like Asif and Shoaib Akhtar .. or habitual betters like Kamran Akmal …. Let’s recall the days of Hero of Sharjah the legendary Miandad… of Sydney, the Tiger Imran Khan, of Dehli… The magician Hasan Sardar.

As today all of you (read us) are asking the question… What..? Why..? I do no more but to remind us of “HOW” we got here… let us recap the way us, the Pakistani nation have raced ourselves to “Mediocrity” and now digging to become the exemplary milestones of “Below Average Attitudes”

Let’s recall… how many times have we faltered in not recognizing the signs of the disaster that is today..

In year 2000 Waseem Akram and his cronies… Waqar Younis, Mushy and few others were allowed to survive with mere fines… Where Ata and Malik were banned for life, Akram was allowed to continue to play… for thinking that our cricket may crumble without him… Ladies and Gentleman… why did we forget no one is bigger than the game.. Akram back then is on record to state that …”Why the whole fiasco…. who doesn’t bet in Pakistan”….. Excuse me….. in one statement Mr. Akram reversed swung the allegation on himself and painted the whole nation as cheaters including me you and everyone else.. Why did not we ask Mr. Pakistan Wasim Akram back then that betting on your country’s national pride is like selling your motherland (read mother)… another country had this been…

Mr. Akram would have been banned for life from entering a cricket stadium… for indeed enough evidence were there including him sitting out the 1994 World Cup semi-final against India giving a stomach-flue reason, a game that Pakistan lost ultimately and then later loosing the biggest one sided games in the history of cricket World Cup finals to Australia in 1999 Lords.

And thanks to our shameless short memories and disgusting arrogance of people at the helm that those recommended as a result of that debacle 10 years ago to be kept at distance from Pakistan cricket such as Mushtaq, Waqar and Ijaz Ahmed and Wasim himself.. all landed some coaching assignments later in the future till today totally against the recommendations of Judicial commission set up to investigate.

Top on the list of idiot and arrogant so called cricketers is the Rawalpindi Express of the past that has been off-track for long now and is going in an unknown direction at full speed with no regard to any signals or guard whistles… Shoaib Akhtar has been in doping scandals (TWICE)… brawls…. Discipline breaches, partying late with girls in night clubs during matches.. hitting fellow cricketers and so on….

Should he be in psyche ward rather be in the national camp…. God knows why he is still around.. may be just to haunt us and taunt us….

Mohd Asif… isn’t he the same guy charged… convicted and banned for life from entering UAE for drug related felony just one year ago… why is he allowed to wear national color… the only color he should be wearing is the Jail suits I must say..My God the list of Pakistani cricketers looks like the cast ensemble of “Con-Air” the movie

Kamran Akmal who has mastered the art of dropping catches.. and black mailing the board …  One of the so many players we have with ZERO technique and … nothing else to offer… yet playing for 5 years now….Who can forget his blowing up in every major game .. with a mindless mind boggling shot…. Kamran alone has mastered all thoughtless reckless shots there could be (read would never be) in a cricket book.

Shahid Afridi…. The Ball eating… Ball Tempering king of the world.. .. The only Cricketer in the world who has survived without a brain and any batting technique for two decades…. Who should have been Doom Doom out of even club cricket in any reasonable cricketing nation… and what did we do.. MADE HIM CAPTAIN??? Shame on us… Welcome Nation… Welcome to Mediocrity.

And then there is a list …  Shoaib, “I am more interested in flirting with every other Indian born Girl” Malik…Younus, “Let me leave cricket for a year then come back at will” Khan…. And Yousuf…” I am yet to decide why I am playing Cricket”.

What kind of lousy ambassadors that we make idols of…. Bravo the mediocre nation…. Go for it.. that’s what you deserve.. no wonder you are FIXED…!

Last night as I was switching channels I came across the campaign launched by Olpers for creating awareness in this holy month of Ramadan and I must say that Olpers deserve round of a plause for this beautiful campaign. A simple message yet conveyed very beautifully and I am sure this will create a positive impact on the whole nation as it is the voice of every Pakistani.

Now every year on Ramadan I myself wait for Olpers new campaign because I know that with every campaign of Olper there is a message. It’s just a 1min add but the message is very powerful. As Muslims it’s necessary for us to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and for this we need to cleanse ourself on regular basics.

Media can play a vital role in creating awareness among people and just like last year this campaign by Olpers is a prime example of excellence which portrays a message of love, humanity and selflessness. In Ramadan we need motivation like this to gather more and more blessings from Allah and I salute Olpers on conveying this beautiful message to cleanse our souls. God bless Pakistan and God bless people of Pakistan.   Ameen

Your life is busy and you have enough on your plate without meeting to remember to move your car every week, pay phone bills, or show up for appointments. Luckily, a finely tuned calendaring system can help.

Take a service like Google Calendar. With the right setup, you can access it from any Web browser, plug it into your favorite desktop calendar, and manage it from your phone so you can quickly add any item to your schedule no matter where you are. Of course, scheduling is just one half of the picture. Remembering your appointments is the other. And that’s the best part of this system: You’ll receive alerts reminding you of all your scheduled events, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

The Setup

Google Calendar can be managed from Web, from your desktop or from your phone, so you’ll have bulletproof system for keeping on top of your schedule. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to sign up for one before using Google Calendar.

First, let’s take a minute to get familiar with Google Calendar and some of its handier features.

Use Quick Add to Translate Your To-Do List

Fed up with the normal steps of remembering an event, Google Calendar’s Quick Add feature is for you.  Type a plain language appointment like “Pick up dry cleaning from A One Dry Cleaners” and rest Google Calendar will do it for you, converting it to an event with date and time.

For events in calendar people like to notify ahead of time, you can do this with Google Calendar just click Settings, Calendar Settings, and Calendars; find the calendar you want to set notifications for and you are done.

Use Calendar in Your Google Apps

If you’re a user of Gmail, Google Calendar can save you even more time. Gmail automatically recognizes when the text of an email suggests an event or appointment and provides you Quick Add link which will create an appointment for your Google Calendar.

Remember Recurring Events

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or payment of monthly bills Google Calendar will not let you lose.  To setup recurring-event notifications so you’ll never forget them, either add a note about recurring activity or click the Create Event button and set your recurring schedule in the repeat section.

Stay Synced With Outlook

If you use Microsoft Outlook, just download Google Calendar Sync http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=89955 . Enter your Google Calendar username and password, and it will take care of syncing your calendar data with Outlook.

Connect Your Calendar to Your Cell Phone

Since you’re not always sitting in front of computer do its best to get notifications or set updates right from your phone. Either you have a dump phone of a cutting-edge smart phone here how you can add your appointments.

Sync with Smartphones

If you have an iPhone, BlachBerry or Nokia S60 you can synchronize your phone’s calendar with Google Calendar, head over to Google Sync page (http://www.google.com/mobile/sync ) and follow the setup instructions for your device.

Check Your Calendar and Add Events via SMS

Don’t have a fancy smartphone? No problem. You can still get notifications, set your notifications, check your calendar, and add an event to your calendar from any phone that supports SMS.

First, head your Google Calendar settings and associate them with your cell phone. Goto Settings, Calendar Settings, Mobile Setup and follow Google’s instruction for validating your phone. Once your phone is validated you can send event notifications or add events via SMS.

Conclusion

The system mentioned above isn’t the only calendaring system under the sun, but Google Calendar is the best free way to create a fast-syncing schedule minder that you can access from virtually anywhere. And above all you’ll never ever miss to pay your phone bill again .

We appeal to all Pakistanis living in United States and elsewhere in the
world to generously donate to the following three Michigan based
Pakistani Organizations. Emergency assistance is urgently required and
your immediate assistance would be greatly appreciated. “In the
aftermath of the floods there is a serious risk to survivors from
potentially deadly diseases which will spread as a result of
contaminated surface and drinking water.” Your donations will help make
a difference to the people of Pakistan whose homes and livelihoods have
been washed away by severe monsoon floods.
Help your fellow Pakistanis with your Zakat during the holy month of
Ramadan.

Click Here <http://www.hdf.com/dotnetnuke/home.aspx>  to donate through
HDF – Human Development Foundation

Click Here <https://www.instantreg.com/appnadonations/>  to donate
through  APPNA  – Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of
North America

Donate Through: Hassan Foundation, 25779 Kelly Road, Suite C, Roseville,
MI 48066, TEL: 248-706-4066

A man marooned by flood waters, alongside his livestock, waves towards an Army helicopter for relief handouts in the Rajanpur district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 9, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Pakistani villagers stand on the remains of a bridge washed away by heavy flooding in Bannu in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Ijaz Mohammad)

Pictures taken from US rescue helicopter shows the flooded area of Kallam valley on August 9, 2010. (FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP/Getty Images)

An aerial view of a man and his animals surrounded by floodwater in Taunsa near Multan, Pakistan, flooded on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani villagers raise hands to get food dropped from an army helicopter at a flood-hit area of Kot Addu, in central Pakistan on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani flood survivors climb on army helicopter as it distributes food bags in Lal Pir on August 7, 2010. (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

An aerial view shows Nowshera city submerged in flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan on Friday, July 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

A man wades through flood waters towards a naval boat while evacuating his children in Sukkur, located in Pakistan’s Sindh province August 8, 2010. (REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)

Pakistani flood survivors cross a bridge near a damaged home in Medain, a town of Swat valley on August 2, 2010. (A Majeed/AFP/Getty Images)

Villagers wade through flood waters with their livestock while looking for higher grounds in Sukkur, Pakistan on August 8, 2010. Pakistani navy boats sped across miles of flood waters on Sunday as the military took a lead role in rescuing survivors from a devastating disaster that has killed 1,600 people and left two million homeless. (REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)

Pakistan army soldiers pass a baby across a channel in the floodwater as they help people flee from their flooded village following heavy monsoon rains in Taunsa, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Residents stand near the path of flowing flood waters the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 9, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A family being rescued by army soldiers passes a cargo truck with men on top taking shelter from heavy floods in Nowshera, Pakistan on July 31, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A soldier evacuating residents carries a flood victim to a helicopter in Sanawa, Pakistan’s on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

An aerial view from a Pakistan army rescue helicopter shows personnel distributing water to flood-affected residents in Ghouspur, some 100 kilometers from Sukkur on on August 9, 2010. (ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistani flood survivors line up beside a damaged bridge in Medain, a town of Swat Valley on August 2, 2010. (A Majeed/AFP/Getty Images)

People wait to cross a flooded road in Bannu, northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Ijaz Mohammad)

A man walks through a flooded house in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan’s Punjab province August 7, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A man pushes his motorbike through flood waters in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan on August 8, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

An aerial view of floodwater covering the land as far as the eye can see, around Taunsa near Multan, Pakistan, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani villagers chase after relief supplies dropped from an army helicopter in a heavy flood-hit area of Mithan Kot, in central Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

An aerial view, from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter en route to delivering humanitarian assistance supplies, shows the flood-damaged countryside in Ghazi, Pakistan ON August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Horace Murray/U.S. Army)

A boy sits on a bed as his family members salvage belongings from their destroyed house in Pabbi, Pakistan on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood)

Flood-affected people jostle for food relief in Nowshera in northwest Pakistan on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

Pakistani flood survivors walk in the flooded area of Bssera village, 60 km south west of Multan, on August 10, 2010. (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

Residents evacuate to safety in a flood-hit area of Nowshera, Pakistan on July 30, 2010. (A. MAJEED/AFP/Getty Images)

Onlookers perched on a damaged bridge watch a flood survivor use a rope to cross the river in Chakdara in Pakistan’s Swat Valley on August 3, 2010. (STRDEL/AFP/ Getty Images)

A family takes refuge on top of a mosque while awaiting rescue from flood waters in Sanawa, a town located in the Muzaffar Ghar district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

A woman yells as her child is evacuated from the roof of a mosque where residents were taking refuge from flood waters in Sanawa, Pakistan on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Source:

1. Ask Allah for facilitation (tawfeeq) to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan daily, from now onwards.

2. Make a firm determination to abstain from all sins. Especially those committed by the eyes, ears and tongue.

3. Try to free as much time as possible from work and other commitments for pure worship (ibadah).

4. Reschedule non essential appointments till after or before Ramadan. Finish with all Ramadan and Eid shopping prior to the sighting of the crescent.

5. Make special effort to follow as many Sunnah as possible in daily activities. Learn these and memorize the adiya e masnoon (dua) for particular occasions before hand. The book “Alaikum bi sunnati”by Mawlana Abdul Hakim Sukharwi ra is a good, practical and handy resource for this.

6. Review the essential fiqh (rulings) relating to fasting, taraweeh and other Ramadan related issues from “Behishti Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments) of Hakim al-Umma Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).

7. To get motivated and organized, read the discourses of Hakeem al -Umma regarding Ramadan (Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya volume : Barakat e Ramadan) and listen to the talks of Sayyidi wa sandi db on how to prepare for the holy month. (Check khutbaat.com)

8. Practice the actions of the Heart. Do not do any action without a proper intention.Abstain from all the blame worthy morals. No anger, arrogance, belittling caustic remarks, etc. It is strange to abstain from otherwise halal (lawful food) and commit an act which is always haram (forbidden). Try to do most of the praise worthy moral actions. Having patience, humility, gratitude, sincerity, etc. Keep a tight grip. Do not slip here.

9. Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.
The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worships (i.e. salah, dhikr, tilawat, etc.) are to be increased. These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).
The tawfiq is from Allah!

Nadeem Ahmed, head of the National Disaster Management Authority, said that the north-western province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and central province of Punjab had suffered most. Ahmed said 650,000 houses were damaged or destroyed and the country would need $2.5 billion for relief and rehabilitation after the worst floods in the country’s history.

There are two ways in which you can help flood effected people:

1. Send your donations on the below mentioned addresses
2. Make an Air tight plastic box
   

1) Send your donations to the following organizations

In Pakistan

Edhi Foundation
Al khidmat Foundation
Hidaya Foundation
Madagar Welfare Society
Pakistan Red Crescent Society
Sungi Development Foundation
UM Healthcare Trust
Haqeeqat.org
Donate via SMS by Tribune (only in Pakistan)

International Charity organization

Save the Children
Islamic Relief
Relief foundation
Human Development foundation
Helping Hands

2) Make an air tight plastic box

Fill an airtight plastic box with these items and drop them off to Edhi or Al khidmat Foundation

According a list issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA), the key items required by flood affected people include

• High nutrition biscuits
• Dates
• Food packets (tea, sugar, milk powder, vegetable oil, pulses, spices)
• Mineral water
• Water coolers
• Cooking utensils
• Footwear for children
• Mosquito nets
• Blankets
• Bedspreads
• Floor mattresses
• Soap
• Hand towels
• Tooth paste
• Female sanitary pads
• Diapers
• Washing power and soap
• ORS
• Mosquito repellents
• Prickly heat powder
• Children anti-rash creams
• Water purification tablets
• Candles and match boxes
• Flashlights

The NMDA has also issued a list of assistance required from donors includes:

• Boats
• Tents
• Generators
• Water filtration plats
• De watering pumps
• Blankets
• Medicines
• Medical equipment
• Hygiene kits
• Non-perishable food items.

Also an e-commerce website Tohfay.com will be donating $1.00 (for Global orders) and Rs. 50 for local orders to the Flood Reliefs.

Every life lost in the flood is precious. Don’t think that you are safe, think that why GOD is angry with us. Make a donation but also try to analyze the cause of natural disaster. May Allah bless us all and give us hidayat  Ameen Sume Ameen.

Courtesy by Dawn.com

From the streets of Karachi to the bazaars of Faisalabad, here is a glance at Pakistan. Children play and enjoy the weather as it rains in Karachi.

Dengue also known as Breakbone Fever has been called the most important mosquito-transmitted viral disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. The mosquito mainly breeds in fresh water stored in uncovered container. It lives in dwelling and bites during the day. Dengue fever is a benign acute febrile syndrome occurring in tropical regions. In a small proportion of cases, the virus causes increased vascular permeability that leads to a bleeding diathesis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (Source: Internet).

In simple terms, it occurs through a bite of a mosquito which has bit another person carrying the dengue virus, this mosquito act as a carrier.

There are three types of Dengue fever
a) Classical Dengue
b) Dengue haemorrhagic fever
c) Dengue shock syndrome

Classical dengue presents with fever, headache, backache with severe myalgia so it is also called BREAK BONE FEVER.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the start of complication and as the name suggests there is internal bleeding leading to fall in blood pressure and shock, platelet count is reduced and ultimately lead to shock causing Dengue shock syndrome. ( Indiastudychannel.com)

Symptoms of Dengue Virus

• Sudden onset of fever (lasting three to seven days) intense headache (especially behind the eyes)
• Muscle and joint pain (ankles, knees and elbows)
• Abdominal pain
• Unpleasant metallic taste in mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Flushed skin on face and neck, fine skin rash as fever subsides
• Rash on arms and legs, severe itching, peeling of skin and hair loss
• Minor bleeding (nose or gums) and heavy menstrual periods
• Extreme fatigue

Prevention

• Use mosquito repellant religiously especially in the evening hours
• Be aware of those mosquitoes hovering by even during the daytime
• Since it breeds in fresh water, keep collected water covered in containers
• Do not drink uncovered water lying around the house
• Mosquito coils should also be used during the day since Dengue carrier bites during the day also

People have also created a Facebook page called: Dengue Fever Survivors is on Facebook

Healing Hands Clinic

For those who are in Karachi and would like a reference of a good family doctor, do check out Healing Hands Clinic. It is owned by a couple: Dr. Humayun Baig and Dr. Fozia H. Baig. Both the husband and wife got their experience from UK and decided to come back to Pakistan along with their children to in the sincerest of intention to serve Pakistan. Their fee is not like the others who it seems are more true to making money than their profession as life saving individuals. Their clinic is located at Street 24, Tauheed Commercial Area. Phase 5, DHA, Karachi.

Part -- 1

]]> http://www.doodhpattiblogs.com/counting-blood-platelets-to-death-%e2%80%93-surviving-the-dengue-virus-part-2/feed/ 1 http://www.doodhpattiblogs.com/counting-blood-platelets-to-death-%e2%80%93-surviving-the-dengue-virus-part1/ http://www.doodhpattiblogs.com/counting-blood-platelets-to-death-%e2%80%93-surviving-the-dengue-virus-part1/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:06:58 +0000 immy http://www.doodhpattiblogs.com/?p=1966 I woke up with a headache I had never felt in my life. It felt like my head was the World Cup FIFA ground and all the players were stampeding on it. I had a fever of about 101 degrees. Oh my head! I took Tylenol. I must have just come down with the flu or something – a seasonal thing.

Two days and about 10 Tylenols/Panadols later, my head still hurt and fever had risen up to 103. A doctor cousin started me on Cefspan antibiotic course. That is how it works in Pakistan when you have a family doctor. You call them and they advise you over the phone. That is exactly what I did. And on most occasions, it works out fine for very regular viral or infections. This time round little did I know that it was not just an ordinary viral infection.

I reacted to the antibiotic or God knows what happened. My muscles tightened up, my throat was parched. I could not breathe. My head spun and the nausea was much more than any pregnancy can give. My doctor cousin said that I had to continue with the antibiotic no matter what. And if I felt nauseous then I should take another pill for that. Agh! More medication. Then the vomiting began. I called my cousin and deduced myself that I am stopping the antibiotic because I might have reacted to it and I still felt dizzier. He gave me yet another more intense tablet to control my dizziness. He agreed to stop the antibiotic. The good thing was that the fever broke.

By now I had a metallic taste in my mouth. My appetite was nonexistent. I was still throwing up; I was dizzy and felt extremely weak. Every time I stood up, darkness overtook me and I sat back down. I was breathless and was hoping somebody would just give me one of those oxygen masks so I could just breathe better.

Just when I thought that my trial was over, a rash broke out. I had an itchy skin all over. The inside of my vessels seemed dispersed as if the blood had broken up in bubbles inside of my skin. I later found out the technical term for that was maculo papular rash.

I realized how stupid it was not to have a physician to refer to so I called around a few friends to find a clinic. Meanwhile, I called another doctor cousin to get the name of a generalized blood test that will depict iron level, White Blood Cell count etc. etc. Something was definitely going on and it was more than just a common cold. I got the blood test done.

About now I had the result and I had found a physician. I went to her. In the waiting room the swarm of people and no air was a killer. I paced about waiting for my turn sipping my bottle of water thinking at least if I were to collapse here, I would be in safe hands! When my turn came, she saw my results. She looked at the paper, paused a bit and then looked anxiously at me. “You have had the dengue and your platelet counts prove that,” she said. I have what?? I thought. Wasn’t that the epidemic I had heard about and how it was fatal and people had died because of it? Then the doctor inquired more about my symptoms and all were evident – the rash on my skin etc. She explained the blood report to me where the platelet count range was between 150 – 400. Mine were 78. She warned that if they were to fall below 50, then the only solution is blood transfusion. Blood transfusion! I wondered how safe that was. What if some other complication happened? Then she went on to tell me to rest and take as much fluids as I could. I was to take another blood test after 36 hours. She said the treatment is now on need basis.

At home, I lay there feeling lifeless. I thought about life. I thought about the life of my children. I thought about my existence and above everything I thought about religion. I thought about the fact that I am a Muslim and if this is the end, then my belief says there is to be accountability. I thought, but wait I am not ready to die just yet, God. I have missed so many opportunities to do good. We as Muslims believe in the concept when a person dies, the only way he/she can continue with their deeds is if they have passed on beneficial knowledge, if they have good children who do good deeds,  if the person has taught someone. I have yet to prepare my children to carry out this work on my behalf. I need more time, God. I thought, I have to say sorry to God for all the time I knew I was doing wrong yet I was heedless to His existence and the end. I thought, if only I had more strength to get up and pray to Him. I never felt God so near but yet so far from me. Suddenly, I felt weighed down with all the belongings I have in my house. We have so much in our house when others out there don’t have even a piece of cloth to wear. What a waste of these things and we leave all our possessions behind. I felt the urge to just give away everything.

I closed my eyes and darkness overtook me. Wouldn’t the grave be so dark and I so alone. It was almost as if I could feel my platelets diminish in chunks! I realized I am not ready to face my Creator. I needed more time. If only I had been more aware…

2 days later, my blood report showed my platelets had gone up and I was on my way to recovery. The doctor warned and said that I will continue to feel the fatigue for days to come so I should “take it easy.”  I had gotten another chance to come back to the world again. Now is the test of how I will take my experience of near death and live my life! How will I make the changes in my life? How would YOU make those changes reading this experience?

Part – 2