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).
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.
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.
