Life throws all kinds of situations and experiences at us all the time.. and we are left with no option but to respond.. Most of the time it’s good stuff like a promotion at work.. maybe a financial windfall.. meeting a special person.. eating a surprisingly delicious meal at a new restaurant etc..
On the other side there is sometimes a plethora of
stress with situations like major health problems.. death of a loved one..
financial losses in business or investments.. betrayal by a loved one.. emergency
hospitalizations etc.. and so many other situations that I’m not mentioning
here..
Am sharing something incredibly stressful that
happened to me earlier this week (although sometimes it feels like a lifetime
ago).. I was at my house in Lonavala having a super fun relaxed weekend with a
few close friends and recovering from a rocking Diwali party.. Had gone to
Poona to meet a dear friend and her family who were celebrating a birthday to
which I was especially invited..
It was a lovely day but quite tiring and since I had
skipped my afternoon siesta, I got into bed on Saturday night looking forward
to a nice peaceful night.. Be careful what you wish for.. the fates had
something completely to the contrary in store for me that night!
There was a knock at the door (which I slept through)
and then my friend insistently waking me up saying there was an emergency! My
driver came up with his mobile and Man Friday (Kishore to most of you) telling
me calmly but urgently (don’t know how he did that) that Girl Friday (Savita)
was throwing up blood and couldn’t breathe and what should he do?! We agreed
that he should take her to Bombay Hospital (because it was the closest)
Emergency and that I would ask someone to meet him there!
My family doctor (incidentally also best friend) them
absolute gem that he is.. rushed there immediately and my driver-cum-right-hand
Dinesh and I left for Mumbai at 2 AM.. The drive was harrowing to say the least
because everything on the road except us was (seemingly) either a container
truck or tanker.. We had to drive slow to make sure that the patient count
remained at just one!
Doc spoke with me at least eleven times during that 1
hour 45 minute ride to ask for personal details of Savita.. choice of room and
so on.. When someone has been a part of your family and lived with you for 35
years it’s a no-brainer right? I just said it had to be the best room.. the
best doctor and the best medical care that money could possibly buy!
Reached the hospital at 3:45 am and crept quietly into
the ICU to see her wide awake but exhausted.. on oxygen.. the monitors pipes
and tubes completely dwarfing her fairly small being,, She apologized for
causing me so much trouble and I told her she would be fine.. sat with her for
a while and came back home to get some rest..
I went back in a couple of hours and met the treating
specialist Dr. Avya Bansal.. an outstanding pulmonologist and more
importantly.. a wonderful human being! He very patiently explained the
situation to me in great detail illustrating it with a simple drawing! He was
also kind enough to speak with my doctor and explain the situation to him as
well.. Which specialist gives you this much time anymore?
We have been truly blessed to have Dr. Bansal looking after
her.. his bedside manner is exemplary and he is a very positive and reassuring
presence. He is both approachable and immediately responsive.. and it’s such a
blessing to meet a doctor who genuinely CARES about his patients! God bless
him, Dr. Vishwesh and his team!
Savita spent two days in the ICU and was beautifully
looked after and shifted to a private room yesterday (can’t risk any cross
infections)! She was grouchy and that irritated me and I was walking around
looking (and feeling) like a thundercloud but a long talk with my bestie made me
realize that I should calm down.. and I did..
She was nice and cheerful this morning and not grumbling
about anything and that gave me the 180 degree turnaround in my mood that I
needed as well.. Learning how to stay calm is the most important super power we
all need! I went to the pool for a swim (after three days) and felt normal
which was such a lovely feeling!
When I say “heartbreaking and heartmaking” I refer to
two people.. Savita who was seriously unwell (possibly critical) which was
heartbreaking (she’s my little sister) who is now making excellent progress which
is heartmaking! My rock star Kishore said something very special to me a short
while ago which I would like to share..
He came to my room (ostensibly to make the bed) and
said in a very conversational tone“Do you know.. when I go to the village and
meet my family, I feel like I am a guest and count the days until I come back
HOME and to my FAMILY.. and that is here and you! For all that you do for us
(even though we all get cranky sometimes!) and for being such a blessing in our
lives (and I am saying this for both of us) I thank you from my heart and know
that I am very fortunate to have gotten to work in this house and for your parents
and you! Aap ko tahe dil se bahut bahut shukriya!
If that isn’t “heartmaking” tell me what is!! I am
blessed and grateful for every joy great and small.. and always will be! Thank
you all for your prayers and support for Savita.. it means much more to me than
words can express! All going well.. she ought to be home on Saturday!
God is truly great and may His hand always remain on
the heads of all those I love especially!
Thank you as always for reading and please add your
name at the beginning or end of the comment (should you choose to write one)!!
