Blood Test Day: Surviving a 13-Hour Fast & Crowded Clinics

On morning of 5 May 2026, I headed to the clinic for a much-needed health check. Since starting my high blood pressure medication back in March, this was the big day to see if the prescribed medication are actually doing their jobs.

It wasn't exactly a "breeze." Between the fasting and the crowds, my patience (and my energy) was definitely tested.

⏱️ The Morning Countdown

●9:00 PM (4 May 2026): My last bite of food. The long fast begins.

●8:07 AM: Arrived at the clinic. A little behind schedule, but I made it!

●8:43 AM: Finally finished registering and paying. Now, the real waiting starts.

●10:26 AM: Success! Blood drawn and samples submitted.

●11:10 AM: Breakfast at last! That’s over 14 hours without food.

📉 How I Felt (The Reality Check)

Waiting in a packed room for nearly two hours while hungry is no joke. For anyone dealing with a high pulse or high blood pressure like me, that environment is tough. I even making note to bring small chair for self used later. As the available seats was quite far from the blood drawing room.

🛡️ Senior Lead’s Simple Recovery Tips

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Now that the blood is drawn, drink plenty of your Rose and Curry Leaf water. It helps your kidneys stay happy.

2. Don’t Panic Over Your Pulse: Fasting usually makes the heart beat a bit faster. Now that I’ve had breakfast, my bpm pulse should start to settle down.

🛠️ What’s Next?

I’ve marked 25 June 2026, on my calendar. That’s when I meet the doctor to go over these results. Until then, it’s all about the gardening, the oolong tea (and others), and staying steady.

The "System Refresh" Elixir: Why I’m Infusing My Water with Roses and Curry Leaves

Between managing an 80% "Nomad" workload, recovering from a 5 March 2026 burn, and navigating the hormonal shifts of perimenopause, my internal "System Temperature" has been running high. To combat the fever and the "smooth but itchy" skin, I’m deploying a new botanical protocol: Rose and Curry Leaf Infused Water in the morning of 27 April 2026.

This isn't just an aesthetic drink for the car cup holder; it’s a potent, antioxidant-rich tonic designed for total system recovery.

Key Strategic Advantages

1. Dermal Detox & Acne Defense

By flushing toxins from the system, this infusion works from the inside out to support my Eucerin/Nivea/Cicaplast topical routine. The rose petals act as a natural anti-inflammatory, while the curry leaves provide the nutrient density needed to fade that blackened burn stain.

2. The "Cooling" Protocol

With a fever and a high pulse of blood pressure, my body is literally "overheating." Rose petals are renowned for their natural cooling properties, helping to reduce excess body heat and calm a "jangly" perimenopausal nervous system.

3. Digestive & Weight Logistics

Curry leaves aren't just for cooking; they contain digestive enzymes that reduce bloating and boost metabolism. For a "Nomad" frequently on the move, this helps ensure the body is properly digesting fats and managing weight effectively.

I’ll be running this "Liquid Sprint" for the next week. Will update you on the result. Hopefully, with a lower pulse and clearer skin!

🌿 Noon Noni Moment

It was noon on 5 August 2025 when I managed to extract 29.3% of juice from 117.1 grams of ripe noni fruit (buah mengkudu). After straining it carefully, I paired the strong-tasting juice with fresh pineapple chunks. My go-to trick to balance out that spicy aftertaste that noni tends to leave behind.

One curious colleague asked me how it tasted. I smiled and simply said, “It’s spicy.” But I encouraged him to try it with pineapple for a gentler experience. To my surprise, he chose to taste the noni juice as is. His reaction?

"Tastes like fermented blue cheese… and spicy, like wasabi!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, he wasn’t wrong. The ripe, naturally fermented noni really does pack a punch, much like those bold flavors.

But for me, it’s not just about the taste. It’s about the right dosage for my perimenopausal hormone support and liver detox. That’s what makes it worth it.

Until then, have fun experimenting. Maybe next time try pineapple chunks glazed with fresh noni juice. You might just surprise your taste buds.

Seeking dental care for my teeth

Captured on the morning of 14 March 2025, this photo marks my visit to the dental clinic to seek care after noticing hairline cracks on both of my upper front teeth, with the right one showing a small chip at the bottom.

Broken tooth from [1]

Initially, I went to my previous dental clinic at Klinik Taman Tun Aminah, 1174, Jalan Pendekar 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, only to find that it had been converted into a Klinik Desa serving mothers and children. After asking the nurse on duty, I was directed to the Skudai Baru Health Clinic (Klinik Kesihatan Skudai Baru), where the dental department is located on the first floor.

This new dental clinic is impressive — a comprehensive facility similar to Pusat Kesihatan Taman Universiti, but with a larger, more modern space. I was even able to park comfortably in the clinic’s own parking lot.

Appointments must be made via the MySejahtera app, as walk-ins are limited to only 20 patients per day, with the queue starting as early as 7.00 am.

I was advised to get an X-ray of my front teeth to assess the extent of the damage and determine if the cracks had reached the nerve layer.

Following the X-ray, the dental officer recommended and administered a fluoride treatment on my upper front teeth. I was advised not to gargle for at least one hour afterward to allow the treatment to take full effect. Effectively replacing my fast that day.

Until then, remember to take good care of your precious teeth. Prevention is always better than treatment.

References:

[1] Broken tooth image https://mynjdentist.com/conditions/broken-tooth/

My new health tracking device

Captured on the evening of 27 March 2025, this moment marks the setup of my new health tracking device, after having used the previous one for exactly 2 years, 5 months, and 15 days. A total of 897 days since October 2022 [1]. Over that period, I went through three different health tracking devices.

After months of monitoring reviews and price fluctuations, I finally decided to make the purchase. The main reason was that my Huawei Band 6 had become unusable. Its screen stopped working, and the Bluetooth connection was frequently lost. This made it impossible to automatically log my sleep data, forcing me to track it manually.

I placed the order on 24 March 2025. Delivery was attempted on 26 March 2025, but I wasn't home to receive it. I eventually picked it up from the GDEX Skudai office in Taman Selesa Jaya on the afternoon of 27 March 2025. I must say, I was very satisfied with their self-collection service.

To date, I’ve used three smartwatches:

• Honor Smartwatch, started 12 February 2021 [1]
• Huawei Smartwatch, started October 2022 [1]
• This latest one, started March 2025

Until then, enjoy the journey of using a reliable health tracking device—your health deserves consistent attention.

Reference:

[1] Upgrading my smartwatch last 13 October 2022 https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2022/10/upgrading-my-smart-watch.html

New watch face to my smart device

This is taken on the morning of 30 March 2025. I just loves the watch face option for this smart watch.

What matter the most is the sleep tracking feature in this smart watch. 

Last night I am able to get total sleep of 5 hours 51 minutes. Where deep sleep 1 hour 52 minutes, light sleep 2 hours 46 minutes and REM sleep 1 hour 13 minutes.

Until then, have fun in using watch face in your smart device and closely monitored your sleep.

Handover device to check glucose, uric acid and cholesterol

This was taken on the afternoon of 3 February 2025. I was able to hand over the device to my customer for checking glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol levels.

Below is the full set of contents, neatly arranged in a clear container for better storage and protection.

I found the manual guide to be quite confusing. However fortunately, I discovered a video tutorial that helped clarify how to use the device. Making the manual's instructions easier to understand.
As an engineer and self-appointed QA/QC, I strongly recommend reviewing the manual thoroughly before using the device. Enjoy experimenting with self-monitoring of glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol levels.

Until then, have fun in using a good device to check your glucose, uric acid and cholesterol level.

Medicine for my cough

On the afternoon of 8 May 2025, I procured medications for a cough that began on Wednesday. The consultation with the pharmacist lasted under 30 minutes, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention.

By 9 May 2025, I experienced significant fatigue due to the persistent cough coinciding with the onset of menstruation. Fortunately, by midday on 10 May 2025, I had recovered sufficiently to resume driving and fulfill my professional responsibilities. The coughing has subsided, and the phlegm has been expelled. I now enjoy mental clarity and restful sleep at night, despite occasional awakenings.
Wishing everyone good health during this cough season.

The ordered over the counter medicines

This is taken on the noon of 22 April 2025. Where I just ordered over the counter medicine for my bloated stomach and aching body pain. Too tired to queue in Pusat Kesihatan UTM. 

The look of the selected medicine: paracetamol 500 mg, eco in lemon flavor and hot balm for my aching body.

The counter.

By 4.00 pm, my smart watch give message that I am in bad mood. 

This is because I am annoyed with my body pain. As it hinders my movements and make me sluggish to go to toilet to pee. Despite I have eaten paracetamol 500 mg by 3 pm.

Really worth money investment to this smart watch. 

Until then, have fun in self monitoring your body and health condition. 

Magnesium taurate helps me to get longer sleep duration

This is taken on the morning of 4 April 2025. Where I managed to get total of 5 hours 36 minutes. Details as follows:

• Deep sleep 1 hour 55 minutes.
• Light sleep 1 hour 6 minutes.
• REM sleep 35 minutes.

The look of consumed magnesium taurate. 

Seems like my perimenopause body can only get more than 5 hours sleep after consuming magnesium taurate. Despite from the magnesium list, magnesium glycinate is the one that helps to get better sleep. As I have been consuming magnesium glycinate before sleep and early in the morning of the days I have less than 2 hours sleep. Well, have to document this outcome. Since my body react differently from the typical research analyst and experiments. 

Until then, have a good sleep more than 5 hours duration. 

Good proper and professional place with expert to help with your mental health

This is taken in the morning of 27 December 2020. Where I get up as early as I could to go seek professional help on my mental health.

The prescribed medicine for my virus infection

This is taken on the evening of 24 June 2024. Where I all out of place due to virus infection. 

I was not even prescribed an antibiotic. Maybe it was not dead serious. 

Until then, make sure to go seek medical consultation when you feel your body is not moving as per what brain instructed. As when you cannot move yourself,  then it is too late and will be way late recovery road ahead.

Prescribed cream for fungal infection on my feet

This is taken on the evening of 8 July 2024. Where I was prescribed with this cream. To ease the flaring fungal infection on my left feet.

Warrisons Wound Care clinic for diabetic patients in Taman Nusa Bistari

This is taken on the noon of 31 August 2023. Where I noticed this Warrisons Wound Care clinic for diabetic patients (pesakit kencing manis) in Taman Nusa Bistari.

My attempts in keeping my dry flu under bay

This is taken on the noon of 5 October 2023. Where I managed to get 1 strip of 10 unit fedac, drowsy type of flu medicine. This is because clarinas and other flu medicine that I am familiar with is not in stock. Seems like this dry hazy weather makes people down with flu.

I immediately eat the flu medicine after reached home by 3.30 pm. Which I did passed out 30 minutes after consumption.

Able to get 2 hours and 58 minutes of deep sleep with prescribed medicine

This is taken on the morning of 15 September 2023. Where I get 2 hours and 58 minutes deep sleep. After consuming prescribed medicine 10.28 pm.

The recorded sleep duration for last night.

The look of prescribed medicine. 

New process flow in psychiatric clinic in HSA, JB

This is taken on the morning of 13 September 2023. Where the psychiatric clinic in HSA (Hospital Sultanah Aminah) in JB have put new process flow on the kaunter board.

You can go to the psychiatric clinic when you have sleeping problems, stress, marriage issue, autism and etc.

Getting help is a strength that not all people able to do. 

Until then, have fun in going to psychiatric clinic in your area.

My misai kucing drink

This is taken on the noon of 29 August 2023. Where one of lecturer from Acoustic lab asking me what is the plant that have lots of blooming flower. Which I explained to him it is misai kucing (cat whisker's) tree. 

It is good for those who have kidney stones issue and UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). As for me, I drink it at least once a week for detox purpose.

The look of the made drink. Which I only add 3 leaves and 1 flower. Then add hot water. Drink it after it becomes warm.

The look of the harvested leaves and flower. 

My other drink. That consists of 3 unit of bunga telang, 1 pink rose flower and half daun salam (bay leaf).

Regardless, check with your medical doctor before trying. Especially if you're under prescribed medication. Still it is a good alternative herbs for me.

Until then, have fun in drinking a good misai kucing drink for your health.

Recording my sleep data into Google Spreadsheet

This is taken on the morning of 5 January 2023. As part of my effort in becoming a healthier version of myself, I decided to record my sleep data in Google Spreadsheet. The idea is to be able to project the data in a graph. So I could see the sleep pattern affects my daily life.

Also for I to use it as justification why I no longer need to consume certain prescribed medicine. Easier to use it in discussions or arguments with my doctor later. Need to have a very detailed data projection to back up my improved health condition.

Until then, have fun keeping a record of your daily sleep data.

The look of seeping out process from blue colour from butterfly pea flower (bunga telang)

This is taken on the noon of 10 January 2023. I manage to take pictures and video of how the blue colour from the blue butterfly pea flower (bunga telang biru) seeps out. 

The after-look. Can see the blue butterfly pea flower (bunga telang biru) have a less blue colour on it.

Video of it: 

Until then, have fun enjoying drink from your blue butterfly pea flower (bunga telang biru).