2004, 2014 and now 2024!

You may be wondering what the significance of these years is. These three years have been predominantly difficult for us as a family. These have been the years wherein my father’s health went downhill and we have been very close to losing him.

To make matters worse, these health concerns were aggravated due to his self-neglect, self-medication and lack of faith in the treatment and the treating doctors. And we as a family could do very little, but be bystanders and watch his health slip right in front of us.

Before you conclude that we did nothing, let me take you on a journey of this runaway patient… aptly christened by one of his treating doctors.

My dad has a gregarious nature with an insatiable love for food. In the year 2004, during his annual visit to Punjab, thanks to my uncle, Dad agreed to get his medical health check-up, which revealed a shocking 90% plus blockage in some of his arteries and the doctor advised an open heart surgery. Untreated, he returned home (Mumbai) and we embarked on a journey of marathon visits, to hospitals consulting cardiologists to chart out the best possible treatment for him. Throughout this time, we were not alone, we had the support of our relatives and spiritual family members, who patiently stood by us till he finally relented and agreed to get the procedure done.

Some moments particularly stayed with me of that time. One of them was of my aunt, who being a diabetic patient herself, took insulin injections in the car, while we shuffled from one hospital to another. Another memory is of when my dad was being wheeled into the Operating Room, over 50 members of our spiritual congregation came together and prayed for his procedure. What surprised me most was that no one from the hospital authority objected and there was an aura transcending divine energy that helped save Dad. Thus, he was born again in 2004.

Let me cut the story short and fast forward by ten years. During Dad’s annual tests, we found out that thanks to his dietary indulgence, he had a blockage in other arteries and the doctor advised an immediate angioplasty procedure. This was sudden and unexpected. But due to Maa’s and my sister’s quick thinking and swift action a timely procedure was carried out and Dad got a second lease of life again in 2014.

Despite the seriousness of his procedures, Dad retained his playful spirit. He proudly entertained everyone with his witty one-liners, all the while fueled by an insatiable desire to find a cure for his ailments through self-study and practice.

As the years passed, my patience began to wear thin. Witnessing his health deteriorating, his callous behaviour to brashly dismiss the treatment options from the most decorated and qualified cardiologists in the country only fueled my growing frustration.

In 2018, we began the process of getting him to agree to get a TAVI/TAVR procedure done to replace his blocked aortic valve. However, after completing all the pre-operative tests, he would invariably invent an excuse and delay the procedure. This continued for six years. He would consult doctors, only to change his mind at the last minute. Eventually, I accepted the situation and decided to no longer push him for the procedure. But this year, 2024, his condition worsened significantly, and the cardiologists made it clear: without the procedure, he wouldn’t survive.

Anyone who would hear these words from a treating doctor would be intimidated and get the procedure done right away; well not my Dad. After a whirlwind tour of four different hospitals and consulting 8 top cardiologists, (who may or may not have started placing bets on when he would finally agree), and after experiencing a medical emergency of epic proportion, Dad finally threw in the towel and was captured and operated by a competent Cardiologist and TAVR specialist of Mumbai. He triumphantly returned from the jaws of ….

We met some amazing doctors and medical practitioners who dealt with Dad’s whims and fancies with utmost patience and compassion. We also interacted with families in similar situations, and we all selflessly prayed for the well-being of each other’s loved ones.

The last two months were testing times, each day being a battle. But as the saying goes, “During life’s storms, you see only one set of footprints because God carries you.” And that is how it exactly felt at certain times.

Well-wishers and guardian angels surrounded us; day and night they stood by our side, wiping tears and bringing smiles to our fear-stricken faces. When we could see no light at the end of the tunnel, their unwavering support kept us calm and we took one step at a time.

This experience has made me realize that life has its share of ups and downs. Good times may seem to fly by, while challenging periods test our strength. But these challenges also shape our character and cultivate gratitude for the good times and the people who help us sail through. And we could not have gotten here without the support of family, loved ones, our veers and above all the almighty.

Before the procedure, the number 4 loomed for my Maa, sister and me. Haunted by past experiences, the fear of losing him was just too overwhelming. But now a beautiful truth has dawned, taking the lid off this baseless superstition; these have been his luckiest years. He has been given another chance to heal, an opportunity to make amends, find his purpose and tread towards his inner calling.  

May God’s grace and love be with you all!

Thank you for reading.

Have a blessed day!