Bringing Back Rindu's Cheerfulness

Yuningsih when she was carrying her daughter Rindu. Rindu is one of the 59 Hernia patients in Tzu Chi’s social service that was held in Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang, 11-12 August 2017.

Yuningsih (34) stands still in front of an operation room in the Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang. Her eyes are swollen. Both of her hands clasped on her chest as she prays. Inside that room, her youngest daughter, Yunita Rindu Saputri (2), was in the middle of Hernia operation by a team of doctors from TIMA Jakarta.

Rindu, a very active child. But, a lump in the right side of her stomach brought her much pain and took away her happiness.

“When her disease relapses, she becomes very fussy, vomiting, and her body heats up. When she is tired, her lump can be this large (size of a fist), but tomorrow morning, it is gone. As long as she is not tired, and not run and jump…, she is a very active child, after all,” said Yuningsih.

In the past, Yuningsih brought Rindu to a doctor. The doctor explained the disease as Hernia, and recommended an operation effective immediately. But, Yuningsih didn’t bring her to the operation immediately, because the BPJS made for Rindu hasn’t become active yet.

Not long later, the caretaker of Sukarukun village, where she lives, told her of the 119^th Social Service event by Tzu Chi in Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang, who also provides Hernia operation service. Yuningsih immediately registered for screening and initial check-up on Saturday, 5^th August 2017, and declared egligible for operation the week after, on 12^th August 2017.

From the operation room, a Tzu Chi volunteer called her name, as a sign that the operation has finished. Yuningsih immediately entered the operation room and brought her to the recovery room. Rindu had to stay one night at the hospital.

She eventually recovered, and she cried. “It hurts… water!”, she screamed.

But apparently Rindu still has to continue fasting. The doctor finally allowed her to drink at 15:00 GMT+7. She made gulping noises as she drank lots of water immediately.

“Please take it little by little, Rindu.” , said the volunteer beside her.

The team of doctors operating Rindu, on Saturday, 12^th August 2017.

Dr. Khsetra Rinaldi from doctor team TIMA from Jakarta explained Rindu’s condition. “Hernia occurs to children, commonly at birth. But, parents can not notice the symptom or lump, or it can appear and dissapear. It causes confusion to parents.” The doctor in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) explained.

“Hernia that occurs to adults and the one that occurs to children are of different types.” Dr. Khsetra Rinaldi added. “On adults, it happens because of a weakness in the muscle walls added by heavy lifting, as well as extensive coughing that weakens the muscle, and so Hernia occurs. But on children, Hernia is an inherited anomaly.”

 “Since birth, there should be a channel that closes normally, but it didn’t happen. Because of this, the intestines can come out all the way to the genitals’ pockets. This has no relation to how the mother bears her child; it commonly happens to prematurely born babies. It should close, but it hasn’t because of premature birth. It shouldn’t happen normally.” He explained.

Not only Yuningsih smiled in relief, Rindu also started to feel more cheerful than ever.

Dr. Khsetra also reminded Yuningsih to not wear Rindu out, and eat soft food. The doctor also reminded to come back to the hospital or Amanda Hospital in Cikarang on 16^th and 21^st August 2017.

Yuliningsih felt very relieved, and thanked the doctors and Tzu Chi volunteers for their efforts.

“Alhamdulillah, she has been operated. It took quite an effort! I am very thankful. Then, I told Rindu that I’m sorry, and that she didn’t mean to do it. Yes, she said, and she touched my face. Then, Rindu kissed me…”, said the teary Yuningsih, who cried happy tears.

Translator: Ricky Satria

Editor : Antonius (Tzu Chi School)