The clock is tickin...

I am very notorious for my pro activeness.... sometimes it will have good results... sometimes it made me to think, why the hell I am being proactive....

It was November,2009, I am all set to travel britain for my first longterm to onsite with my family. I went to my immigration to collect my visa stamped passport. I need to travel in 10 days.After collecting my passport, I could have come directly to my office. But being proactive, checked with the them who is the point of contact for L1 visas. They showed me a bay which has people for US visas. I went to them and told them that in Jan'2009 I had applied for a L1 Visa, as now I am travelling to britain they can cancel my US visa. The immigration specialist told me that L1 will be handled by someone else, but she can help me. She checked the details and told me that my visa was already approved by Sep'2009 So I am good to go for stamping. I told her that in 10days I must fly to Britain so its not possible for me to go for stamping as it takes time. She told its not a big deal, jus fill the forms we will get the date in next one week. I was not sure what to say...As an another IT guy, always had a dream about USA... So decided to give a shot... 

I was busy in closing everthing @ Chennai, meantime I filled the forms for stamping, got the dates for stamping which is jus a week before my flight to britain.Still took risk then went for stamping... Praapti was jus 1 year... so we had privileage of getting in to consulate easily by bypassing the queues... The lady @ consulate asked about our wedding and kept starring @ praapti and enquiring about Praapti. withint 10mins everything was over and I was told that passport will be dispatched in a week time. Jus 2 days before my travel to britain got my passport and left for Britain.... Life was going good @ britain... but among my friends circle I am the only person who was at britain. So, always the dream for USA was kept on the corner of my heart. In 2011 I went for vacation to India,met my manager and explained I am interested in travelling to USA. But asusual, employees' preferences were not given importance, then back to britain. With few months my manager left cognizant, so went under new manager.

Being proactive, I initiated the discussion with him to ask how can I add value. During discussion he asked me whether I wanted to be in Onsite only. I said for few years I wantd to be. Then he asked me that I can be only at britain. I jumped and told him that I have a L1 visa until 2012.So, I am ready for USA also. He said USA means I should be ready for moving between states and I said ok. Then he told that he will work on it. It happened by Sep'2012. Next 6 months went in discussions and working on option for finding replacement.But I was not identified for any project so I was not sure about USA. Finally by March'2012 my friend was identified as my replacement. It was decided that I will move out of britain by June'2012. I was having visa only upto Sep'2012, i checked with my Immigration whether I can travel and extend the visa. They told me that I can do it, but atlease 6 weeks before I shoule be in USA. By June end moved back to India with all dreams to fly for USA. Did many things during the stay. But I was not getting any projects @ USA. I was becoming nervous (dont know why :-)). Everyday I was given with 2-3 opportunities and next day it will not be available.Booked ticket for 3 times and cancelled them. Finally i was asked to take a functional role for 6 weeks then meantime they can find next opportunity. I dont know what to do, I accepted it. The location was Boston.Though I was pretending that I am happy, I was pretty nervous as my visa expires in one month time and there is high possibility at port of entry I might be grilled that why I didnt use the visa all these days.My company gave me a letter stating that why there is a delay in travel. I was not so confident by reading that letter.

I had raised my travel request wherein I was given crazy travel plans, then I myself checked the available options in the net and gave it to travel team. They confirmed it. Jus repacked the stuff and left for USA on Aug/10/2012 (yeah.... US format for date).After 23 hours travel, we were standing in a long queue for the immigration. After 1hr 15mins wait, we went in front of Immigration officer. I was very tired and lips and tongue were dry. Immigration officer asked me "what you were doing for the past 3 years?"(ooopps... here you go... this is what I worried). I told her I was working for different client at britain and there is a requirement at USA so moved here. I showed her my companies letter stating the reason for not using the visa within 6months of stamping. Then she asked me what I am going to do here. I didnt here the question clearly and gave some answere then my wife corrected me, then I explained about my job nature and role. During all these time I was not confident and my tongue and lips were becoming more dry. She was not pretty happy with my answers. She asked me to give the finger prints then to my wife.She took our photoes, my kid was shouting that she needs to be in photo. She took the phone and called someone to come near to her desk. The she told me that her friend will take me to another room where they will decide about my entry. ooooppssss........ one thing which I was thinking that should not happen... we were taken to Secondary Immigration. I was more nervous. My wife was cool by face and my kid was very tired and upset as photo was not taken. We were told to collect the baggages, ours were the only pending baggages. I kept them on the trolley and while moving it, they fell down. The guy who came to take us to secondary immigration was asking to move stating that there will be more people. He was carrying our passports and other documents.

We kept the baggage outside the secondary immigration room and went inside the room. We went in to the room, the first voice I heard was "I hate these guys..." she was reading the letter given by company for the delay. We were asked to sit and after few mins called. My wife was about to join and the immigration officer told "you dont need to come mam".The immigration officer was a lady with 5+ feet heigh and should be in good weight. She was not smiling. I kept my dry smile to make the environment normal, but she was grim.She asked me Why I am here. I told here that I am a technical consultant and came here for a project. She asked me where is my employer situated @ massachuests. I told her, it is not in Massachuest but there is one in Newjersey. I was not sure why she asked me that question. She again asked the same question with increased tone. I was bit shivering with that tone, and I told her that there is no office @ masschuests. Then she asked me why I am here. I told her I came here for doing a project with customer as a technical consultant. She started saying "You are not listening to me". With more nervous mind, I told her "I didnt get you". She asked me to show the letter stating that I am eligible to work in Masschuests. I showed her the offer letter given my company. She said I dont need this, show me a proof that you have letter to work in massacheusts. I said all I have is this one and one more form which I got during the stamping (some I700 series letter). I showed her. She read it and asked me again, is that all you have, show me the proof for working in massachuests. I said I dont have any other letter with me. Now at maximum tone, she told me "You have autourzation to work in pennysilvenia and you are not authourised to work in Massachuests, So go back to your country and get the permit then come back". I am all lost now. Dont know what to say or ask. Body started shivering. She asked me to sit and told that she will call back.

I came near to my wife, she was not saying anything. I told her that they are asking us to go back. She nodded her head. I dont know what to do. I looked around the room and like me there were few more nervous people. One african american was talking very confidently with the immigration officer. I went to the  toilet. I told my wife that lets get ready for another 24 hours of travel. I was started thinking, why they hell I am here. Why should I asked my manager about USA opportunities and all the above why I asked the immigration team about my L1 in 2009. Meantime I can overhere some discussion goin among the immigration officers. I was not clear what they were discussing, but heard saying "cant be possible in H1, but L1 let me check......., then getting tickets not an issue". I was more nervous now. I started looking at my daughter. She was very tired. My wife was telling that, going back is not an issue but again 24 hours  we need travel. She was thinking something in her mind. I was called again. I was asked how long I am here. I didnt understand that question and I told that I jus came in. She asked me HOW LONG I AM HERE.... I said i didnt get you.... then she got irritate and told me that "how long you are going to stay here, am I not clear". With shivering voice I told here that "I jus came in, so i will apply for visa entension and will be here for 6 months". She started saying, "If you would have told this earlier, I would not have wasted my 30mins time with you". I was wondering when she asked me about my stay, she jus asked me about the work permit. She started asking about my project, manager, location etc. I was telling her and noted that she was just writing on a small white paper. I gave first name of the person whom I am going to meet @ new project. She still noted it. I was slowly getting confidence now. She gave back the letter that was given by my company about the delay of arrival and told that this is of no use, not sure why I gave.

Now she started stamping in out passports, slowly I got my smile on my face.She did a mistake in my daughters passport and got angry for it.Finally she gave all passports to me and told I hope I gave everything to you, is anything missing.I said I have everything. I told her thanks and wished her good evening. She told thats fine. I came to my wife and told "we are staying here honey". She gave a dry smile. The we took the baggages and we were about to cross the customs, but we were asked to go for next bay. I was asked whether any eatables there. I told her that I have ready to eat stuff. The customs officer asked me which baggage had those. I showed her. She asked my to put all the baggages for scanning. Then she opened those baggages and started checking it. She removed everything out. Meanwhile Me and my wife were struggling to keep the baggage back in stoller. I went to her and asked whether I can help her. She said yes, so I started removing things.She saw the ready to eat and tamarind. She asked me whether anything else is there. I said no. She told "it is too much". And started keeping the things in my baggage. I helped her and finally kept them in the baggage. I told her thanks and wished her good evening. She acknowledged it. We came out of airport and it was raining heavily. The time was 6PM, we landed at airport by 3PM.

We moved in to the hotel, I started calling my friends and sent mails to my friends.Sent message to my group head and my manager about the situation in port of entry. My manager was saying sorry for it and my group head told that I will be laughing at it once I settled down @ USA. Came to know that my Hyderabad room mate Nanda was very near my hotel. He came and picked me for a lunch. Good to see his house and merc suv. I joined the project, came to know that customer is not looking for a functional consultant and he is interested in technical person. I was getting NIL support from offshore point of contact. I was tried building the confidence with the customer, but customer told that he needs only technical consultant. I called the project head, but no luck. Spoke to my manager about my situation, he told me that he had only one goal, that is sending me to USA and it is done. He told me that he will work on something. Meanwhile I worked on submitting documents for visa extension. It was submitted in premium processing. People were telling that it is very difficult to get an L1 visa extension. 

All these days, daily evening we all 3 go for a long walk around the hotel for one hour and by week end we went either for shopping or went to Boston for sight seeing. At boston we visited Harward business school, MIT, children science musuem.... By 3rd week of september, I was checking the USCIS site PROACTIVELY for my visa status, it was told that they need additional information which is called as RFE (request for evidence). I chased the immigration for an update, after 2 days I got an update asking to fill some more documents. I filled them and submitted them. There was a need for manager's signature, where in I asked my current manager to sign, but he was not ready to sign since I am leaving the project. Finally with the help of immigration team's mail, I got the signature and sbmitted the documents by 24th or 25th of september.

On my next project, I was asked to attend a i/v for a customer at santa ana, califronia. It didnt go well.Later I was told that I will be moving to Bentonville, AR.Meanwhile I was asked to travel to Santa Clara for a project wherein I need to work for 3 weeks on a crisis. But my current project team was not ready to release me before sep'30th. Later the new customer also told that he doesnt need additional person. Finally We left boston by 3rd october, after struggling with the process for transfer. After reaching bentonville, Arkansas we started checking for house. As it is almost 2 months that we were in hotel, we visited few apartments and fixed one which we felt good one (but not for the rest of Indians).We got few used furnitures and found school for my kid. Finally we moved in by oct'15th. 

Bentonville is a little India where you can find every Indian companies' office as there are no enough place at customer location. My company has 2 office and heard that around 450 people work here. I was not introduced to any one and I was not told what to do and where to go. Good thing at my company is, everyone will be busy with their friends and work. If any new comer join, either he will be ignored or left alone. The city doesnt have any public transprot as per my fellow peers who are there for 2-3 years. But from the day one, I used to catch a city bus which runs for every one hour around the city. It drops jus behind my office. Evening i will get a drop from one of the team member.Couple of days he forgot that I am there, so started searching for people to drop me. Meantime, I was checking with my immigration team about my RFE. They told that it will be taken care.Every week I sent them mail asking for update, finally I told them that it is very difficutl to survive without I94, so help me. By Nov'1st, I was told that I didnt answer the queries of RFE, I told them that I did it. The immigration team sent me the questions. There were 3 questions stating, who built the legacy system of my customer, whether my company holds license for it and what I am going to do in it. I told them that I never worked in legacy system is the questions are really for me. They told yes. I was not sure, I checked the form submitted by me, there were no mention about legacy system. I gave my response as per my project. Finally my RFE repsonse was submitted on Nov'5th. 

Now I am PROACTIVELY checking the USCIS site for status. it was told that it is under review. Meantime my project is getting over by 2nd week of december. I dont know what is next.... But we are open for anything..... Our life is completely paralyzed as we dont have car... we need to depend on cab for anything and everything.... it is 3 months now since we moved to USA.. there is nothing great happened....I was in a situation where in i had money in my dollar card but I cannot use it...Daily morning I walk 1.25miles to catch the bus... I am doing batch scripting after almost 9 years of experience.... once went in to complete depression.... gone mad.... cried at my situation.... came out of it with the help of "my angel wife"....  doin things to keep my mood positive.. morning goin for joggin and skippin...today went for a long walk to take fall color photoes... praapti speaks spanish....i came to know that there are lots and lots of good hearted people around us who cares about our life... I must thank all of them for their care...

Sometimes our choices are wrong... but we need to fight with it.. I am doing it now... If I would have been @ britain, I would be cursing for not sending me to USA.... I wanted it... I raised it... I got it... I am suffering... I know the clock is ticking on deciding my future..... but who cares.... its upto me to handle it....

Hole in One "Heart" - Final part

It was 10.30AM, there were no updates from my SIL and my father. Twice Doctor asked whether admission is over for me. I said i am waiting for them. I called my fathers' number but he was not picking. Same with SIL also. Last time when I took the TEE @ britain, I was in fasting for about 17 hours. It seems this time I will exceed it, as now itself it is more than 11 hours.But I felt the difference in fasting @ britain and @ chennai. @ britain weather will be cold and @ hospital people wont talk. So, you get more time to relax. But @ chennai sitting in the corridor with people running around you with 38deg outside temprature, you will get exhausted faster. The best way to gain the energy during the fasting in avoid talking. But for a person like me it was painful. While sitting I noticed that I am the only adult patient. Rest everyone are baby or small kids. All the kids/babies dont understand what is going on, but all the parents were very nervous. I was enjoying each kids activity. Life will be always great if you are a kid :-)

Finally I got a call from my SIL stating that they are getting in to hospital and he spoke to the assistant of doctor, they will take me to the room for admission. One young lady came and she gave the files then she put a pink wrist band on my hand.It was having my name and admission number. And she also gave me 2 passes. One was written as Attendant and other one was visitor. I asked what is that, she told that I have to give it to a person who is supposed to stay with me and other one is for vistors.I asked her, if more than one visitor, then she told me that one visitor at a time.I started walking with her with my back bag. She asked me to give the bag. I was told that room will be @ 4th floor. The beauty of the MIOT is that they have only one lift, for patients and rest of the world. Whatever your condition, you need to wait for it.Finally we went to the floor. She was calling the nurse,s but there were no response for 10 mins. Finally one lady came and told us to go to the room. The room was spacious with bathroom inside it and it also had a TV. From that room, I can watch how the construction going in @ MIOT 2/3/4. Meanwhile I got a call from my SIL, she wanted to visit me, then I told her that she needs to have visitor/attendant pass, but I dont know how can I pass it to you. I asked the girl with me, she told that she can give the pass to my SIL and she left.

I was sitting all alone, after sometime 2 ladies came and told that I need to come with them for the tests(oh noooo not again). I was taken to 3rd floor by lift (waiting, waiting.....), where there was a ward for children/babies. In that there was mini room where every patients blood test, BP test will be taken and they will give the IV drip niddles. I think that room was really meant for babies, bcoz you need to squeeze yourself to sit. There were two ladies it seems one is senior and other one was junior. While checking the blood pressure, she told that its little high. I said yes, becausre I was asked to pay for admission.They laughed and asked me whether am I doctor? I told them I belong to a profession where rest of chennaites are working. They didnt understand it and asked what exactly, I told them I am in Software company. The laughed again. She was testing my veins to put the niddle for IV drip. She found one and statrted puncturing my hand, once she is done she asked for a plaster to the junior, but she doesn't know where is the plaster. Meantime the power went off, there was a complete darkness in the room. Senior was holding my hand with jus pierced IV drip needle, but I cannot see anything around me. I was feeling the pain and slowly pain started increasing in my hand.I started laughing by looking at my situation, both of them scared and asked whether am I crying. Looks with the pain even you laugh people think you cry. The power supply came and the junior also found the plaster. Offff.... jus wondering how could be the situation, while piercing the needle and if the power is gone. Now, one more lady came and told that my blood group is not checked, so she needs blood for it. I wan thinking again whether they are going to put niddle in my hand and get it. But they didnt, they jus used the IV needle to get the blood. Senior was pressing my hand and collecting the blood.I was speechless. Later I checked my weight and height. Good to know that I can compete for wrestling game in 80KGs category :-) Meantime my SIL came with her influence as a doctor. She accompanied me to the room, but this time I took steps instead of lift ( as I need to wait for 10 mins to get my turn). I was also told that I need to be done shaving.

After reaching the room, a person came and told that he is a barber. He also told that he is not the employee of MIOT, so we need to pay him Rs.150. He asked my SIL to leave the room, I was asked to get semi nude. I was wondering how much indirect jobs being created due to the technology improvements. As the doctor told that the procedure will be done near thigh (i.e) groin, he started shaving everywhere in and around both thighs. he also started removing hair from my hands. I asked why, he told that if the doctors didnt get the vein in the thighs, they will do it on the hands. Soon my hands became like womens'. I was wondering how am I going to answer my kid, since I lost all of my hair in my hand :-). I asked him how long he is working here, he told 9 years. I was asked to take bath, having IV niddle and plasters in the hand it was challenging to take bath. Once I am out, within few minutes 2 ladies dashed in to the room and told me that patient needs to be taken to the Cath ward. I was wondering what is that? Later my SIL told that it is catheter, which is the instrument that is been inserted in to my groin and tavel upto my heart for this proceudre. Looks for these ladies it was shortened. Now I was given a gown. I took it and tried wearing it. It was looking like dress/scarf that superman/batman wears,

bcoz after you wear it, you dont how to tie it. I tried all possibilities to make sure I am tied it properly and people are not staring at my skin. But no use.Meantime there was a shout from outside, asking whether I am ready or not. Finally I decided to leave the room with somewhat manageable knots. Outside I was surprised to see a wheel chair. I told them that I can walk myself, but they said that If i don't sit then they will loose the job (hmmm.... another S/W co approach, if you dont do this, then your appraisal is screwed). The reason why I don't want to sit on the wheelchair is, it will be too much sexy with the so called gown. 

I was pushed in the wheel chair, but I was given a blanket. Thanks to that, atleast I can cover myself with something. Again waited for lift, now the lift man smiled at me. They took me to loooong way (though they told its short cut). In this travel, I was kidding my SIL to take a snap so that I can upload it to G+. She took a snap, after that the ladies accompaning me started to say that take from here and from there(hmmmmm... looks they also have FB account).Jus before the catheter room , I met my brother and father. Father was nervous, brother started telling silly jokes and I also joined him with the pain. Then I was taken in to the pre/post operative ward. Now I was left all alone, and one fully masked girl came and told me to get down from wheel chair and lie down on the bed.It was calm n cold room. With my sexy gown I was freezing. I said hello to everyone whoever came in to the room(trying to pretent I am alright, with the lot of tiredness and pain n d veins). One lady came and started mopping the floor. Being an air conditioned room, if you mop it, how can it dry. Not sure what is the logic. It was 12PM. I was given IV drip. One lady came and put me an injection and told that it is for checking the alergy. My god, what a painful injection is that. After injection I was told that if I get itching I need to let them know. But it looks if you get pain, you should not. For 10-15 mins my hands were paining/burning like hell. Now again I am alone. I had a look on the room. It was big room with 3 beds in it. Had lots of shelves. I saw there was a board stating who are going to have the procedure today, for me there was no name only doctors' name and mine was last. Slowly i was getting sleep.

In sometime they brought one old man from the operation room, it looks he had some procedure :-) Doctor was telling him that he will be fine, but the old man was moaning in pain. He showed a area in his body and told its paining a lot. Doctor told it will take time to subside. Doctor asked the nurses to bring the ambulance to take that old man to the gastro department. Old man was connected to a machine which was giving continuos beep. Looks like it is to track the pulse.After sometime, stretcher came and it was same height at the bed. They asked the old man to move in to the bed and he told that he cannot. Now I was wondering how they will move him. Nurses called few more men and all of them counted 1,2,3 and lifted him then dropped him on the stretcher. Though I was not able see this fully, but I can hear a voice "hhhuuummmmaaaa", then I realized that now the old man is dropped on the stretcher. They all went. Now again all alone. Slowly more nurses started coming and one by one everyone was getting calls in their mobile, I saw the signboard "Switch off mobiles".

Finally one doctor came and saw me.His name is anil, looks like from west bengal or orissa (thanks to the english that he was speaking), He said they will start the procedure shortly. Time was 12.45PM. One of the nurse asked me to get in to operation table by walk. I slowly walked to the table.I sat on the table then lied down. There was a big machine facing me and there were 3-4 lcd monitors connected to it. It was more colder there. After 10 mins, one middle aged man came and told me that doctor will come and doctor wanted me to stay at the pre operative ward. Again i was walking back to preoperative ward. During these walks someone will carry the IV drip pack with me. After lying for 5 mins, doctor came and asked me how am I? I was giving a dry smile and told him one lie that everyone of us tell at all time to all - "I AM FINE". Doctor asked the nurse why I am here, I should be in operation table. I was trying to find the middle aged man and give him a injection :-) Again walked back to operation table. Now there were 3 doctors, 3 men and 4-5 lady nurses. One lady doctor from africa also was there. I was asked to keep my hands above my head and asked to spread the leg.I was given a mask on the nose (believe its oxygen mask) it was coverin my mouth also. Slowy I started getting the itching in my nose, I called the people but no one was able to hear me. When I tried to move the mask to scratch my nose, a nurse told me that dont remove the mask and turned.Now the itching subsided by itself, One lady nurse came and removed the gown from bottom. I gave her a desparate look and by seeing that she told "Dont worry sir we will cover it, we will keep a cotton plaster". One of the doctor came and remove the top of the gown also. Another doctor was giving injection on my right hand which was above my head.One technician started connecting cables to my body. By seeing all these, I was not able to do anything but jus kept smiling.

I was remembering all the christ photoes/statue of david that I was seeing at Louvre museum, paris.The difference was, they were all made after their life (I guess), whereas I am real and people are around me.Instead of fig leaf its just cotton. 

Dr.Sivakumar came in and asked me to open the mouth and he sprayed something on my mouth. He told it is local anesthesia and he went. My mouth started becoming heavier.Dr.Anil was giving some injection on my hand, Suddenly Dr.Sivakumar came and started shouting at him. He said that punchering is not important, but make sure that all the necessary stuff are there and they are ready before starting the procedure. Then there were some advices to him. I started feeling heavy. Now Dr.Anil was doing something near by thighs and it started paining. Felt some injection being given. I was slowy getting in to sleep. I heard Dr.Anil was explaing something on my body and on the lcd monitor. I Went in to sleep. Suddenly felt something pushed on my mouth and I woke from sleep and tried to pull it out of my mouth. Nurses and doctors said nothing to worry and someone pulled my hand. I saw white ceiling and a blue dress. Again to sleep. Again back to real... somebody talking... back to sleep.... I felt somebody was pushing me in to bed.... slowly opened my eyes... I was back to pre operative ward.... I saw people were moving around me... I asked them "Is everything over???". But due to local anesthesia in mouth i was not able to talk properly. Nobody understood what I spoke. I even asked in tamil, but no use. Suddenly one person responded in tamizh stating, yes everything was over. Again sleep. Suddenly I felt something was running. I tried opening eyes.... I saw roof was running above me.... again sleep...later opened eyes.... i realised I was in to the lift... back to sleep. 

Somebody was telling that, my right leg should not be moved for next 8 hours. I heard my father's voice. Now i was awaken by a lady, asking me to move to the bed. When I opened the eyes, i realized that I am in my room. I saw the nurse and she asked me to move in to the bed without moving my right leg. it took me few moments for me to understand it. I slowly moved myself towards the bed. Every part of my body was paining, especially I felt too much heaviness at my right thigh.With all the energy that I had, I moved in to my bed. What a way to build the self confidence, after a procedure whatever your state, you will be asked to move yourself completely. Poor oldman was lifted and dumped whereas I was asked to do it all by myself. The nurse left by taking the stretcher. I closed my eyes and slept again.

It was quite hot and A/C was not so useful. I woke up and I asked my father what is the time, he said it is 3.30pm. I said I need something to eat. He told he will check with the people over there.He came after sometime than told me that nothing should be given. I shouted at him, I need something. He dont know what to do. he brought a nurse and she told that you cannot have anything now. I shouted at her also, i said since yesterday 9PM i didnt have anything, gimmme something. She went and came back then told that I can have water and if possible some hot drink. But I might get vomiting. My father made tea in milk. I started eating the sandwidge and tea, started feeling uncomfortable. Was getting dizzy and felt like vomitting. My father rushed and brought the nurse. I shouted at her,why dont you give a sandwidge on the toasted bread and why the hell you guys giving me tea in milk. She left without saying anything. My father was holding a bowl for vomiting. But nothing came.I was more exhausted and every part of my body was paining. I tried to sleep. Around 5 PM my SIL came and she brought juices and biscuits. I started drinking juices and biscuits like never before. Slowly I got the energy. Finally I broke my previous record of fasting. Now it is approx 20 hours.

Once energy was there I started asking what happened in the morning before admission. My SIL told that ATMs and her card were not allowing to get that much big amount. So, they roamed around to get the money. She told that procedure was successful, doctor found that hole was 2.2cms and not 1.6cms (was the hole growing???). But the device was fixed properly. After sometime, a lady came and told that for dinner, diatician will come and tell what should I eat. It seems father or SIL asked it. Diatician came and told that I can eat anything now. I preferred Idly and Roti. My SIL left and I again went in to sleep. I heard people talking, now my 3rd brother was there. They were talking about who will stay in the night. He left. Now the next challenge came, going for pee. But I should not move from bed. The most uncomfortable thing to do. Somewhat managed it with the help of my father. After sometime my second brother came, but I was not talking much due to tiredness.

The dinner came, I started finishing it but wanted to keep them for late night. So, kept the food for late night.My 3rd brother came in the night and he asked my father to leave for the night. He was chit chatting with me. I took my phone and saw few missed calls, but there were no energy to respond to them. We saw TV, there were lot of arabic channels.Now again there was a challenge for going to pee. I told my brother that I would better go to toilet, but he checked with the doctor and doctor said NO. But they advised that I can stand on my left leg since right leg was having procedure. This was repeated for whole night.In the mid night I was getting hungry, woke my brother and asked for something to eat.I felt during the hospitalization the attendants of the patients should be really calm and quite to handle the patient.Had some sleep during night, but not complete.In the morning a nurse came and told that she will remove the plaster.I said give me some time. I asked my brother to make tea in hot water and add milk little to it (again problem of lifestyle @ Britain).After that he called the nurse, she came and removed the plaster. it was paining. Now she told that she forget to bring some stuff so that I have to visit 3rd floor for removing my IV niddle. She also told that I can take bath and eat normally. 


While going to third floor we were waiting for lift, but lifts start only by 7AM. So,Waited for lift man to comeback with my brother,at 3rd floor again same room and the niddles were removed.It looks like the shift plan in MIOT is done same way as Software companies. The lady who was helping me should have been in the night shift. There were no helpers for her, so she was running between the reception and other patients. Might be cost cutting impacts, not sure. I was asked to check the weight,my weight increased by 300 grams (was wondering how could be possible, with fasting for about 20 hours and with minimal food my weight gained 300 grams). On the way back to my room I met lots of middle east people and africans and said good morning to them. To my surprise my younger brother was there with my uncle and father. Came to know that they all came by steps(!!!!, power of lift).

By 9.30AM, Dr.Anil came to meet me. He came with 2-3 nurses and another doctor. He was like dada with goons around him. He said I am all fine and it will take some time to get rid of the pain on my thighs. He explained how the procedure was done with 3MM niddle. He also told Dr.Sivakumar will decide on my discharge. I had breakfast and took bath.Spoke to my family members. Felt little fresh.The rest of the day went on sitting idle, watching TV, reading magazines, going for the walk in the corridor.Afternoon I asked my father to go for lunch.Meantime I got a soup then later got big proper south indian meal. It seems they will give food for attendant also. Poor father went all the way to eat in the A/C restaurant.One lady came in green dress and told that shez a diatician (MIOT should have tie up with some fashion designer. For every category they had a dress code/colour, the best part will be all the doctors will be wearing sports shoe - not shure why). Diatician asked me whether I will be in the hopital for the night, I said I dont know, the doctor needs to confirm.She said I can choose my dinner from Idli, oothappan, Roti. I said Roti, once she left, then another lady came and spoke in proper Chennai language (it means you will be called in singular without any respect). She was telling that echo needs to be taken and you need to visit ground floor.At the lift I was talking to the lift man and he was telling he works there for the past 12 years, hmmmm... it looks job satisfaction is good at MIOT for these people. After reaching ground floor I was left alone like some new patient. I went in to echo room and I was told to wait. There were no chairs to wait. Finally found one in the corner, there were lots of noises over there. My father also joined, then later my brother also joined. We were cracking some jokes about the hospital, after an hour wait I was called for echo. Echo was done by different doctor and was explained to the african doctor. Now again waited for Dr.Sivakumar. Meantime the lady who took me for admission came and asked how am I. What else could be the answer for it. 


We met Dr.Sivakumar, he said everything is fine and I can go home. He gave some medicines, he told  one of that should be taken for 6 months. He asked me to meet again in one month time. He also told me that in next 2day I can do anything that I want to do. From next day I can take bath.I said I already took bath, he was surprised then told me that groin should be dry for next few days else I will get infection. As usual I asked him about airport security check, he said it cannot identify and its even MRI resistant. But on safer side carry the hospital file with me. We thanked him and left the room. My father went to collect medicine and check the Insurance status.Though the doctor says I can be discharged, its insurance team who actually discharges you from the hospital. Unless they approve your payment, you cannot get discharged. If you want so, you need to pay that amount and get discharged. So, next 4 hours went on sitting idle and roaming. Due to room temperature I was not getting sleep also.

In the evening I went to third floor and gave chocklate box the nurses and said thanks to them.My father went to check the status of the insurance. I was checking the status in my mobile, with teethering 2G connection. It was given that additional documents were submitted by hospital and they are processing it. I finished covering the entire 4th floor by walk, now tried covering the 3rd floor. Finally around 6.30PM I got a call from my father and was told that insurance is cleared and he is coming to take me with my 2nd brother. Once they were in the room, 2 ladies dashed in to our room. One of the lady was asking for more documents from my father and other lady was started cleaning the room. My brother gave money to them and we left the room.In the lift also my brother gave money and lift man promptly collected the pass back. My brother told that he will bring the car near to the reception, I said I am good to walk. So, walked in the smoke again. My brother asked me to sit in the front seat. It was paining in stetching my leg. On the way we had coffee in a restaurant, with the bumpy ride and peak hour traffic, we reached the house by 8.30PM. I was given dhristi/nasar by my mother. My wife told that she got updates from my brother I am all fresh. I asked my wife get me dinner. She asked me to wait, after sometime she gave me roti with tomoto chutni. I shouted at her on the combination. She didnt tell anyhthing, asusual. But later she was telling me that there were no vegetable in the house and my mom was pushing her to give idli/dosa where as due to change in my life style i preferred roti. Oooopppss... back to normal life....

I thought I can take rest at home, but it was not the case. I started getting too much tired ness and every part of my body was paining. Sleep was getting disturbed. I was getting more and more exhausted with tiredness. I broadcasted the rest of world that I am suffering from pain and recovering from pain. Few of my friend saw that, mailed me or pinged me to ask what happened. 3rd day by afternoon my health was getting worsen. Had continuous loose motion and none of the food was staying, My SIL suggested few medicines and she told that it is due to the prescribed medicines  and it is normal. All my brothers were calling and enquiring my health. I went for a walk in the roof. Next day I was felling better, but by this time my wife was falling sick. It was worrying me, as my daughter left alone as both of were sick. I tried sleeping but no luck. So, decided to go out of the house in the evening. Booked a cab and took my wife, kid, parents to beach. I sent my parents to temple. We 3 were playing in the beach. Felt more refreshing. We were roaming in the beach with 1000 rupees note and asking for change.I also went to temple and felt better.Later we had dinner and came back home. I was feeling great. Next few days went on taking rest and roaming around.I got calls from my friends @ britain and India. I was keep telling them the fun that I had @ MIOT.

After that we all left to Mumbai to meet my wife's family. We went to a bethrothal function, in DJ floor i was asked to dance. I checked whether tamizh song is there,

assual Appadi podu was there so danced for it. Then we left to my wife's brother house at pune. To tell the truth the best place in the world to take rest is your wifes house. Every son in law will be treated as king @ punjabi house.So, I was jus eating, sleeping and talking (with my broken hindi).

Though hospitalization is big pain for people, I felt that its our mental strenght which move us during painful days.Due to the technology improvements I was in hospital for just 2 days and started getting normal life in 7-10 days. I chose to enjoy the hospitalization as now a days Hopitals in India became more of corportate business, So i was sure that it will be same as software companies. They didnt disappoint me. One of the tamizh poet said that when you are in tuff situation, try to smile/laugh. it will change the mood. I did it. I enjoyed my complete stay @ hospital, the way they work, the process in place etc etc..... My SIL told me that MIOT is far better, if we go to Appollo then it will be more of bus stand with the crowd over there. So, I was telling it will be more fun over there than here. She dont know what to say. 

There are many things in the world that make you to laugh, one of them is hospitalization :-) If you are not a patient, try being a visitor to hospital. I am sure you will njoy it!!!!

While closing this blog, i would like to give few suggestions on hospitalization.

i) Keep the money ready. If it is 2,00,000 is estimated cost, then keep 1,00,000 in cash. Insurance cos will not clear all the amount unless it get details of expenses.

ii) @ hospital keep the person (an attendant) who is cool and calm with patient. Since patient is sick, attendant plays a big role.

iii) Keep the patient engaging in reading, talking once the patient is normal, bcoz the recovery time is lot of mental stress to the patient. People thinks since treatment over, patient can take care of self.

iv) Do understand the hospital processes clearly, especially visitors. Sometimes visitors will get disappointed with this. Try using the technology to connect people, than having person visits.

A Hole in One "Heart" - Part one

When we went to Paris, we were roaming inside the Lovure musuem where the french and Italian paintings were having the uniqueness... most of the male paintings/statues were having the Fig leaf to cover the genetals... My wife was not happy while I was taking the pictures of them.... I was trying to do it from the artistic perspective.... liked the way the paintings done or the statue made.... Poor my wife or me didnt know that in few months time I will be like this (lying just with cotton plaster instead of fig leaf that too in front of 5-6 ladies and 3-4 males for about 45 minutes :-))


It all started in 2011 when I was having my vacation for about 1 month... Me and my wife went for master health check up,where everything was told alright for both of us, but just before closing it doctor asked me whether did I have any history of some illness... wherein I told that I was diagonised with HOLE in heart at the age of 4 or 5, then had regular checkup on that but after i crossed 16 years there were no checkups done.... So I was asked to have an Echo to confirm whether I still have the hole or not... I did the Echo jus on the day that I am about to return to UK... I was confirmed that I was having hole.... but there needs to be one more test (they call it TEE - a transesophageal (pronounced trans-esoff-a-gee-ul) echo, where the echo transducer is placed in the esophagus (pronounced esoff-a-gus) or food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach - where one will be given sedation/sleeping dose during the process-thanks to google) which will confirm the exact size of the hole which help the doctors to make some decisons.... with this I took my flight back to Britain by on 01-Feb-2011....


Within few weeks I went to NHS to talk about this, where they told that there is nothing to worry but we will recommend to the cardiologist... with about 5 months wait I met the cardiologist at Macclesfield General hospital, where he told me that he is not good in deciding it but there is a specialist @ Wyntheshawe hospital in manchester, he can definitely help me on this... Again i was in waiting list... after another 4 months wait on 31-Jan-2012 I met Dr.Ray. He is nice gentleman, he explained what could be the problem and how to identify it. He asked me to get admitted for a day and he will perform the test. With in a month I got an appointment, so hospitalised on 05-mar-2012. After a long wait and around 16 hours of fasting I was confirmed that there is a hole in my central of heart wall which measures upto 1.6cm.During this process I was proudly asked the doctor that whether I can see my heart, they said no during live procedure but after procedure was over. But I was given sedation, so I was going in to sleep and coming back... since a big long tube will be sent through your mouth and your will mouth will be blocked with something in circle shaped cup... it really hurts you....due to that I was coming out of sedation and goin in... at the end one of the doctor called me and told that this is your heart and here is the hole.... but there were only black screen.... again went in to dreams :-) Later I was given confident that hole can be closed. Dr.Ray explained the process and showed us the model of the instrument which will be kept in to my heart where in he will send it through my thighs and it costs only £3500/-.I asked him whether it will be detected in the airport scan... he said no (what to do I know the pains of clearing the airport security especially in Europe) He also said that the can plan for surgery which has waiting time of 3-6 months.... Then I got the appointment on 05-Jun-2012 and later on it was  postponed to 05-Sep-2012.


Once I updated this to my family, they were asking me to come to India to have the surgery (actually it seems I should not say this as surgery, but a procedure. It is called as Device closure (ASD) where none of your body will not be opened completely but using a small niddle (3mm) it will be fixed, those who want to know more about this talk to a cardiologist). I was also looking after an option to move out of my current assignment as it was quite long time I was sitting idle (hope my friend sripathy is not feeling bad for saying this and Vijayraj not cursing me). So i decided to move out of the country for performing this procedure. Things were moved on, it was decided that I will be moving out of UK and will be given a replacement... my replacement whom I can say that 'why fear when Mr.Process is there'. Meatime I planned my europe trip to ensure that my personal goals are met(thatz were we saw the statues/paintings). I had forwared my TEE report to my sister-in-law who had discussed it with her fellow doctors and found that MIOT hospital has specialist in this procedure (remember not surgery). She met Dr.Sivakumar (Chief Pediatric Cardiologist) who told that it is not big deal for him, he had even closed 3.6 cm sized hole in heart. My travel date was fixed as 22-Jun-2012, I closed all sort of things @ britain and started from 11 degrees of local temprature and landed at a place with 36 degrees temperature. I was given date to meet Dr.Sivakumar to have a checkup and it was 25-Jun-2012.


As it was first meeting I went with my father, wife and kid.After driving in the mid day and proper chennai traffic I was already in frustration. While entering in to hospital I was asked whether patient is me or my kid. As I said its me, they told no kids allowed. Temperment increased, but my calm n cool wife took my daughter and went to wait in the hot sun as it was just 12.45PM:-) My SIL gave me the reference number which I showed, as a surprise they told no payment for now as it was paid during the previous visit by my SIL. Then I went n meet the assistant of Dr.Sivakumar, who is actually assistant to assistant she asked me to take all tests and enquired whether I had lunch and I said its fine. I didnt understand the reason for it, but understood when I actually took the lunch.She also helped me in getting me a file with my name on it (remember in hospitals, files are very important without that you are nothing. Anything can be inside but the cover should be hospitals').


The beauty of MIOT hospital is it replicate the working model of software companies, where in lot of process will be there but none of them are related to each other and each process will be performed at different locations of the hospital. But before that you need to pay. With lot of thinking I took 2500 as cash, thought it should be sufficient. But the bill was 4800, so swiped my debit card (good system, no password required to swipe your card :-)). Then I walked around corridors to find the process room one (bloot testing). If you ask the staff over there they will say go staight and take left or right. It will be common for any areas.Finally found the blood test room, where few people were sitting outside, I was wondering whether everyone was for blood test. I was not sure whether to go inside or not. Thinking that someone will come and ask if anybody there for blood test (problems of being in britain and visiting those hospitals) I was keep chanting "be Indian when you are in India"decided to keep this as Golden rule). So, with lots of privileges i peeped in to the blood testing area, no one was there but I heard people talking. So, opened the door and found that there was a corner where people were chatting. I told that I need to have blood test. They asked me to wait. Meantime one person came and directly went in to the room. It seems he is also a patient, but he was allowed to take the samples. After some 15 mins wait I was called. There was discussion going between lab technician and a relative of patient stating that they cannot give report before 3PM, but the person was telling that doctor will leave by 2.30PM. As expected technician doesnt have much answers (looks like she is the lead technician) then one junior technicial came and told that we need not give all the reports but few of them. It seems everywhere the leads doesnt know much stuff :-) Meantime 2 ladies were doing reasearch on my hand and things to be tested and they were deciding on which bottle to use to get the samples. I was tied with big wrap with maximum tight (if they tighten it bit more, blood would have come automatically without any needle). They put a needle to get the blood and I was asked to keep the cotton after taking the blood. With that I moved to X-ray section which is quite near by. As usual here also people were chatting and lot of patients were sitting. Remembered golden rule, so went and told that I need to take x-ray. Within few mintues I was sent to x-ray room, I was asked to remove the shirt and i became semi nude to take the xray. They saw the proof and told its fine. The next one is ECG. It is on the first floor. So, walked for about 5 mins and saw cardiology department.So, presumed that it should be somewhere here. When I asked they told "go straight and turn right".After walking for some time I found that room. Already one 50+ old person was there. But the door was closed. Waited for few mins and remembered golden rule, so knocked the door.No response. Meanwhile the 50+ old person getting worried whether I will go before him. No response from inside. Suddenly a lady came, not from the room but from outside. Immediately the 50+ went near the door. I was waiting for my turn. I was called. Again semi nude. I was given tonnes of gel across my body.I asked her why you are not using strips but using the gel for the past 20+ years (again problem of having ECG done at britain). She told that strips will be used only for pediatric patients (not sure what she meant). After sometime she asked me to wipe my body with the paper on which I was lying. It was like wiping your body after you finish your bath. As a person of writing exams with additional papers, i took additional paper to wipe my body. Damn what a smell that gel and it is the same for the past 20+ years. I had successfully completed all the tests.


Meantime I had asked my dad to drop my wife and daugther at my brothers house. Though he was hesitant to leave me @ hospital I told him its all just tests so i can manage. So, by the time I came from the tests my father was back. I was asked to take ECHO with Dr.Sivakumar but he was busy in a surgery (may be a procedure). While we were waiting my SIL also joined us. She went and met the assitant of Dr.Sivakumar. She was told that it will take time, so we decided to have the lunch as it was 3pm (reason for asking whether I had lunch answered). The cafeteria was about 15mins walk from main reception. There were two types of restaurants A/C and Non A/C. The difference is in the NON A/C restaurant you will be getting dust and sand on every food you order, but at the A/C food area you wont. While having the food my SIL got a call that doctor is back. So, we had a nice walk back (remember the movies the hero/villain will walk from smoke, bcoz they were constructing MIOT 2,3,4.... behind hospital) to hospital and after waiting for 15mins, doctor called us in. He told that lets go for echo. Again semi nude, he took the scan by himself and he showed me a black area and told me that that is the hole and he drew nicely on it and told me how it will be fixed. Dr.Sivakumar is nice person, who talks casually and handle things very cool.


We went to his room, he asked about my current health condition. I told him I am doing good but getting exhausted within few mins, like I was not able to play 2 continuous games in badmittion and not able to swim for more that 3-4 mins. He also asked when i was diagonised my hole. I smartly passed the question to my father guessing he can answer. But poor father doesnt have complete answer. After listeining to us, doctor told me that he will close it and it will be just 30mins work for him. It will be 2-3 days hospitalization then i need to take some rest. I will be completely alright in few days. He assured me that after the surgery I cannot play 8 games of badmitton. He also told that he is flying to Franfurt by night flight and will be back on 04-jul-2012. So, I can have surgery on 05-Jul-2012, it looks like there is something there with my heart and the day 5 :-) He asked me to submit the insurance papers. He told me that he will perform the TEE process that I did at UK to know the exact size then he will perform the surgery. it will take 30 mins to complete this. I was asked to be in fasting since previous night of surgery and must have a medicine.


From there we went to Insurance team of MIOT, where in they told that its too early to submit the papers, we have to submit only before 7 days. So, we left the hospital and went to my brothers's house to pick my family. My father was bit nervous by being with all these process. Next one week went on meeting my offshore team and giving them 20000 worth dinner (where in they ordered 18 starters only).Meantime my SIL submitted the papers for insurance and I was approved partial amount. Then my SIL asked me to check with insurance company and my company. I got one HR number and I was told that its a process to allocate only partial amount. If we need more then the hospital should be giving the details of expenses. Then I called hospital to have a check. They told that they cannot give the splitup until the surgery performed, but If doctor approves it can be done. Then I asked what about the balance amount, they told that me that I need to pay for it, once the insurance is cleared it will be refunded to me. Oooopppssiii... then why it is called cashless treatment.... May be for the patients.... As one has to pay the balance amount at one shot... he will become "cashless" in a minute :-)


In general people at my house will be afraid if we go to hospital, that too I am gettin admitted for 2 days to perform a procedure. So, the previous day they were not allowing me to go anywhere. In the night I had my dinner, medicine and slept. As usual a disturbed sleep due to Airconditions too much cold air in the midnight.... In the morning my wife packed my stuff and I got ready. we took a cab and went to hospital during the peak hour traffic.My SIL was there and we met Dr.Sivakumar then he asked us to finish the admission formalities.By that time I realised that I didn't bring the purse. I was planning to swipe my card for the huge amount that hospital needs. I was already tired as I didn't have any food for more than 12 hours.


My dad and SIL left to get the money and I was left at the corridor with no energy to do anything.....