Weekly Musings : Week 21 When Negative is Positive

Weekly Musings : Week 21 When Negative is Positive

The Covid lockdown continues and world is confined to home. After having spent so much time in hospitals, the one thing we look forward to everytime is the results of the different tests be it blood, urine or stool. The one thing that we like to hear is that they are within normal limits and the tests have come negative. Even in present covid times the heartening statistics is to see number of people tested negative. While the whole immune system and power to heal comes from having a strong mind set and staying positive, the results have to be negative. While this may sound contradictory, the whole world revolves around opposite forces complementing each other. Black & White, no appreciation for ligh if there is no darkness, no good if there is no evil to contradict and like that only if one is positive the tests will be negative. Stay positive to come out negative.

Weekly Musings : Week 20 Eat, Sleep, Play

Weekly Musings : Week 20 Eat, Sleep, Play

This was the 3^rd cycle where Manas had to be admitted for 4-5 days. While the procedure is not painful, Manas hates it because he has to be confined to the bed and as the nurses keep checking at regular intervals, he does not get proper sleep. This coupled by the medicine effect makes him very moody and irritable. Also the hospital food is not so appealing and there is not much he can plan lying on a bed. We both analysed and concluded that more than the hospital what he misses is nicely cooked home made food, friends and his gdagets that he play and the nice uninterrupted sleep he gets in his home. Reminded of the movie eat sleep pray. There is just one more such long admission to go and he was happy we are nearing the end of this phase of chemo.

Weekly Musings : Week 19 Immunity Boosters

Weekly Musings : Week 19 Immunity Boosters

This was another week of Lockdown and I was speaking to my customers and the economic impacts will be severely felt. I was discussing with friends and the topics hovered around what is immunity and how it gets boosted. Touchwood India has been handling it well, it reminded of a discussion I had in 2001 when I was in Scotland about how a survey of people in the UK showed less cases of heart diseases in Birmingham area due to consumption of spices especially turmeric in Indian foods. We Indians would have built some kind of immunity due to the food, exposed to eating open fast foods and overall being used to chaos. All these would have somehow made our mental and physical immunity stronger. Was wondering how an unknown and unseen micro-organism has brought human to their knees and made them re-look at their priorities. Another way of giving a mental immunity booster shot albeit the hard way.

Weekly Musings : Week 18 No Better Place Than Home

Weekly Musings : Week 18 No Better Place Than Home

This week Manas spent nearly 5 days in the hospital and had a much intense chemo. Even before we were to get admitted he kept saying he hates being in hospital and confined to a bed for 48 hours. In hospital the LP was surprisingly fine but the chemo had it effect in his mood swings. Manas lost it and was missing home a lot, he kept reminiscing about the comfort of his bed, the delicious home made food by his grandmom, the X-Box, the chess games with his grandfather and just the movement within the house. We kept speaking that come what may and wherever one goes in world the most comforting place is your home. It gives you a sense of belonging, security, privacy and you be yourself without bothering or worrying what other judge you. You are your natural self, raw within the four walls of your house which acts as protector and make the house into a home. Today when the entire world is confined to their home and are desperately wanting to get out, here we are wanting to be home. Am sure so many who are away from home must be feeling the same. How true that the best place in the world is home, sweet home.

Daily Diary for month of April-2020

124) Wednesday 1^st April : Manas chemo got over by 9.30 am, he passed good amount of urine and also passed motion without help of Duphalac. Today will be only fluids. At noon Manas got mood swing and started crying wanting to get discharged and gp home, we tried consoling him but he was getting angry. Finally just asked him to sleep and take some rest. Sent message to Dr Shobha who said she will try to get him discharged tomorrow itself, showed to him and he felt better. He had his 6MP tablet and ate early dinner at 8 and went to sleep.

125) Thursday 2^nd April : Manas woke up early had a disturbed sleep but later went to sleep. Since morning he kept asking whether he will be discharged today. Dr Sunil came and said mostly yes, he was happy. Dr Shobha came and said may discharge once his reports come. After lunch he became irritated and kept asking for the report. At 5 Dr Shobha called and said his blood count is bit low and they prefer to keep one more day. She spoke to him and explained. Manas again felt low, cried and shouted as well, later he went to sleep. Kept asking that he will go home tomorrow and also not to tell Dr Shobha, he wasn’t much hungry but had some dinner, took his medicines and then went to sleep by 9 pm.

126) Friday 3^rd April : Manas had decent sleep was much positive. Dr Sunil came and said his levels were a bit low yesterday but he should be fine today for discharge. Dr Shobha also came and saw him and said he can go home, Manas had a glow in his face was missing the comfort of home and his grandmom food. He called and asked for rasam and cabbage curry to be made. By evening his needle was removed and he had a good bath, we left by 8 pm. The roads were  empty courtesy the lockdown. It was a rare sight to see silk board empty. Came home and he was very very happy, had his heartfelt rasam rice and played Fifa on x-box and then went to sleep. Chatted with Mihir who told him he is getting better just hang on. I had my SLT call today and Manas & Shalini said thanks to Malhar, it was emotional for me as got great support from him in hour of crisis. Am blessed to have some wonderful people as well wishers.

127) Saturday 4^th April : Manas had good sleep and woke up late. He complained of throat pain, Dr Shobha had said this may be there for a day or two. She asked 6MP to be stopped for 3 days and asked to give Ultracet and Emset. Manas had lunch and then got busy playing his Xbox which he was missing in hospital. Evening gave him good stretches and he walked and did 1000 pedals as well. Evening played uno and gave him the medicine and went to sleep early.

128) Sunday 5^th April : Manas woke up late had the pain in throat, Dr Shobha asked to add Folic Acid for iron. He had his breakfast and medicines and then had his bath. Afternoon he was fine but later in evening his throat infection persisted, gave him the medicines. Did nice stretches and he slept early.

129) Monday 6^th April : Manas throat pain had reduced, his medicines continued. No 6MP given. Gave his usual stretches. He wanted to eat Pasta so made that for him in white sauce.

130) Tuesday 7^th April :  Manas throat better, his 6MP started from today. Morning Mami developed fever 102 and body ache. Sagar took her to Vivekanand hospital they said it is mostly viral and gave medicines asked to come after 2 days if not reducing to do blood test. Dr Swati also suspected it to be viral and asked to get blood test done. She moved to Mani’s house as she has to stay away from Manas. Manas had come back to his cheerful self. Sangu birthday

131) Wednesday 8^th April : Manas throat much better and he had a normal day. Did little more stretches. Today he wanted to hold his practice cricket bat and see if he can do it. Held him and he played 2 shots was very happy. His leg needs to get full strength before he can be independent as we need to hold his hand but his progress has been good and so has been his determination. We started counting the days for next admission. Mami still had temperature in morning but towards the evening it reduced. Will check as advised by doctor till tomorrow else we would do a blood test. Manas wanted shrikand made that from home made hung curd and paneer burji.

132) Thursday 9^th April : Manas had a normal day, Mami continued to stay up and was much better. Doctor advised to stay quarantined. Manas did his stretches as well as did 5 situps with help. Put up a plastic hanging ball for him to practice.

133) Friday 10^th April : Today is good Friday. Another routine day. He did his stretches and situps. Wanted to eat malai kofta and that was made. Morning tried a new break fast which turned out good. Mami stayed in Mani’s house.

134) Saturday 11^th April : Manas woke up late and had a normal routine. Evening did little more stretches and made him do extended bridges. Did 5 rounds of walking in house. Gave his 6MP medicines. Dr Shobha said no GCSF to be given on Sunday. 

135) Sunday 12^th April :  Manas had a routine day, unlike last time he was fine with the admission for tomorrow. Dr Shobha sent the letter. He did his stretches, checked his weight it has now become 65 kgs and has to be kept under check. He feels hungry. He wanted to eat besan laddoo tried that and came out good. Played uno and packed for tomorrow.

136) Monday 13^th April : Morning we got ready to go to hospital, Manas was his cheerful self. Finished breakfast by 10.20 as he has to be on fasting. Packed his X-box as well as the 48 hours in hospital bed causes lot of boredom. Dr Shobha was not there she had asked to meer Dr Pooja, who saw him. His blood test was fine and creatinine was .4 which is good. She suggested we do the LP without the sedation as he can manage, this will help in he not requiring to be fasting and also can be done whenever he comes. Manas was initially bit worried but was fine. Dr Sunil came to do the LP and he was happy. That was done in 5 minutes and Manas did not feel much discomfort. Came to room and slept. No vomiting.He did not feel hungry hence just had 1 chappati and 2 bottles of coconut water. Overall was a normal routine.

137) Tuesday 14^th April : Manas had intermittent sleep as the nurse keeps coming every hour to check on him, give fluids and injections. No proper sleep, no home cooked food and being confined to the bed are 3 main reasons that causes anxity for him. The MTX dosages was reduced lower than last time and started at 9.20. This session is just being in bed for 24 hours. Manas was better mentally prepared than last time. Day seemed to go very slow. Manas had low appetite just had curd rice and then went to sleep

138) Wednesday 15^th April : Morning was usual , Manas had limited sleep. Woke up early at 5 am and we played uno. He was feeling restless but overall was fine, no nauseating or tiredness.  He slept in morning, Dr Sunil came and said all looks fine, will do the tests and may send him home tomorrow. Manas was happy knowing this. He had light lunch and dinner. Made him walk one round as a breather. Evening 6MP medicine and Zafair was given

139) Thursday 16^th April: Manas blood was taken for the tests. Dr Sunil came and said the report will come in evening, he looks fine and will be discharged. Manas was much better, had lunch and by 4 pm his port was removed. The report was fine. He had good bath and evening discharge process started. The approval came only by 10 pm and that too it was incorrect hence paid directly and asked them to adjust in next bills. We left around 10.45, roads were clear and reached home by 11.15 pm. Manas had a good sleep. Nothing better than comfort of home and bed.

140) Friday 17^th April:  Manas had a good sleep, woke up late. Today he walked on his own for some distance and was very happy. Took a video and sent to friends and well wishers. He had his favourite food of sambar and curry. Evening gave him good stretches and he walked as well. Overall a routine day. Manas finishes 3 cycles in this phase and 1 more to go like this. After that the weekly chemo only. One good news is that he need not undergo radiation. 8 more weeks to go for his treatment to complete.

141) Saturday 18^th April: Morning manas woke late, did his routine. Today is his grandfather birthday, wished him well. Shalini is making some special dishes. Manas had little vomiting due to drinking lenon juice but over all he was fine and overall he had a enjoyable day. Evening we played chess and ludo. Manas felt better

142) Sunday 19^th April : Manas coming back to his normal routine. Woke up bit late as had slept late, playing xbox with Sagar. No 6MP today. Evening gave him stretches. Today made him do partial squats and he could do them but later had some pain in thighs, which was expected.

143) Monday 20^th April : Another routine day, 2 more days of Zafair and Pan tablets. He wanted to have something different with running out of options we ended up preparing tomato cream soup which he liked. Manas and his friends decided to play online Ludo and they are enjoying that.

144) Tuesday 21^st April : Manas was quite cheerful as no more medicines other than the 6MP and the alternate day Septron. Evening did little more stretches than usual and added squats to his routine. We were discussing how quickly the 5 months have passed. He was asking what was going through our minds when he was being operated for 8 hours. Told him we were just praying and also thinking how come it happened. He could recollect we crying when we had gone to see him after the operation.

145) Wednesday 22^nd April : Today Manas decided that he will write a book , which came as a pleasant surprise. Seems his friends encouraged him on Insta to share his experiences. We asked him what name he would like to give, he said “It’s Not That Hard” which we felt was a great name and also reflected his attitude. Evening he wanted to eat something different in paneer dishes hence made him my paneer dry dish which I normally make with boiled eggs. Also tried making chikki at home which turned out decent. Today he was able to do squats with less strain.

146) Thursday 23^rd April : Another normal routine day, no medicines today except 6MP. Manas did his stretches and wrote couple of more pages of his book. He hasn’t shown us what he has written and said will let us know when we can see it. He has shared his thoughts about where and how it will start and asked him write whatever comes to his heart. Nowadays he started playing online ludo with his friends which is a good break for him. He slept very late as is active and wakes late as well.

147) Friday 24^th April: Today only the Septron tablets and 6MP. Was a usual day. We all watched the new movie Extraction on Netflix which has the Thor hero Chris Hemsworth and directed by Joe Russo who directed 4 Marvel movies. Was such a drag with no logic only action. Shalini enrolled for the AOL Happiness program.

148) Saturday 25^th April : Another weekend and 2 days to go for his last admission MTX chemo. I did zoom chat with friends, played chess with Manas and made my tawa ridge gourd bhaji. Went to sleep early. Shalini started her AOL course. Lost bet to Manas that one page of his written text in computer is equal to 1 page of published book, we tested with Yuvraj biography and it turned out as 1.5, so lost Rs. 150 to him. No medicines today except 6MP. Manas again slept very late.

149) Sunday 26^th April : Today no medicine day that itself is a comforting feeling. Manas had a lazy day, nothing major other than just doing his stretches. He has written now 3 chapters of his book. The closer the admission day more bored he starts feeling, hospital is not a place someone wants to spend.

150) Monday 27^th April: Today will be 150 days since his operation, Manas is coming to his normal self and keeps joking and pulling his grand mom leg. By evening he started getting irritated that he has to get admitted again. Evening after stretches felt tired and hence went to sleep at 8. Work up around 10 and had dinner. Played chess with him and lost. Evening made him his favourite tomato soup. Tomorrow is the last 4 day chemo admission.

151) Tuesday 28^th April : Morning Manas woke by 9.30 am, he did his morning chores and got ready by 11 am. He had his favourite Sabudana khichidi as breakfast. We reached hospital by 11.30, the OPD was shifted to ground flood and Dr Shobha was on leave and Dr Vaundhara did the review. Manas CBC stat was fine and his LP was done without anathestsia. This time it was bit painful and he cried a bit, Shalini also felt very sad but consoled that this his last admission after this it is day care basis. Manas went to sleep and had dinner at 8.30. This time he was much calmer and prepared and slept off early

152) Wednesday 29^th April: Manas MTX dose started at 8 am and his PH level was fine. Manas was better than last time. Dr Sunil came and saw him. Dr Shobha was on leave today as well. Evening manas felt nauseauting and vomited his lunch but later felt better. Ordered curd rice for him. Today one of our finest action Irfan Khan passed away, was a sad news as he was battling colon cancer. May his soul rest in peace.

153) Thursday 30^th April : Today it will be 5 months since he got operated. Manas again threw up twice and was given domstel. Today no doctor came as they had to attend to some other child. Due to covid the staff is thin as they work in weekly shifts hence Dr Shobha is away this week. After yesterday’s Irfan demise today saw the shocking news of Rishi Kapoor also passing away, felt sad. Surely a very testing time for the world. Manas overall was feeling low and mostly sleeping. He did not pass motion for 2 days. Later in day Dr Mohan came and said this is expected not to worry. Manas again had only curd rice. Played some uno with him and later he slept off.