HEARTBREAKING & “HEARTMAKING” at the same time!!

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)!!